Hungarian ethologists have developed the first diagnostic system capable of screening family dogs with suspected ADHD, following the diagnostic principles of human ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
The research, conducted by a team at Eötvös Loránd University, is published in Scientific Reports.
The study aimed to create an objective and standardised tool to identify dogs showing behaviours associated with ADHD, such as inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and functional impairment. The new system may support both scientific research and veterinary practice, since there is currently no universally accepted method for screening dogs with ADHD-like symptoms—despite increasing reports from owners about such behavioural problems.
The study involved 1872 family dogs and their owners. Researchers used the previously validated “Dog ADHD and Functionality Rating Scale” (DAFRS), which evaluates dog behaviour from two perspectives. The first part measures the presence of symptoms, while the second assesses the extent to which these behaviours interfere with the dog’s daily functioning.
The researchers first examined how many dogs showed behavioural problems associated with ADHD symptoms, which also negatively affected everyday life. A dog was considered functionally impaired if owners reported at least four out of seven items with moderate or greater problem severity in any of the ADHD-related domains (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity). This criterion applied to 116 dogs.
Subsequently, the team combined the functional impairment data with the ADHD symptom total scores. They established a final criterion: dogs were classified as at-risk if they scored at least 26 points on the ADHD symptom scale and showed noticeable problems in at least one functional area. These two criteria together applied to 79 dogs.
“This prevalence rate is surprisingly similar to what has been reported in adults with ADHD, while the prevalence is somewhat higher in children and adolescents,” research lead Dr Márta Gácsi said.
