Can Dogs Have Schizophrenia?

Short answer: no. But dogs can have mental health and behavioral challenges. Here’s how to approach these issues.

January 1, 1970

In This Article:

Can Dogs Get Schizophrenia? Can Dogs Have Mental Illnesses? Similar Disorders in Dogs How to Manage Stress and Mental Illness in Dogs When to Seek a Vet

Many dog parents come to accept their dog’s peculiar habits, but others wonder if their dog’s concerning behaviors are odd enough to be signs of mental illness. Dogs can worry their parents with behaviors such as object fixations, compulsive behaviors, extreme separation anxiety, or sudden aggression. Although it can be tempting to compare these behaviors to schizophrenia in humans, this diagnosis does not apply to dogs.

Main takeaways

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that is only diagnosed in humans and is not diagnosed in dogs.
Although dogs aren’t diagnosed with schizophrenia, they can be diagnosed with other mental and behavioral disorders.
Dogs may be diagnosed with cognitive decline, anxiety disorders, and compulsive behavior.
Treatment strategies include a predictable routine, training, physical activity, mental stimulation, and medication.

Can dogs get schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that can affect how a person thinks and acts. This is a condition that is recognized only in humans — dogs cannot be diagnosed with schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia can experience hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia, as well as cognitive impairment and social isolation.

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Human healthcare professionals diagnose schizophrenia using a combination of psychiatric tests that cannot be performed on dogs. The symptoms and diagnosis of schizophrenia are unique to humans. This makes it difficult to diagnose the condition in dogs, so we don’t.

Can dogs have mental illnesses?

Although dogs cannot be diagnosed with schizophrenia, they can display behaviors that are extreme enough to warrant intervention. A dog doesn’t necessarily get a formal diagnosis, but these behaviors can resemble other human mental illnesses, such as generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Some disorders in dogs require treatment with a behaviorist, medication, or a combination of the two.

Similar disorders in dogs

Canine cognitive dysfunction

Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), nicknamed “doggy dementia,” is an age-related condition that causes deterioration of the brain similar to that of people with Alzheimer’s disease. As with humans who have Alzheimer’s disease, dogs with CDS will experience a buildup of amyloid (protein fragments) in the brain as well as a decrease in their brain’s overall size.

Dogs may be diagnosed with CDS after their parents report a pattern of behavioral changes, and a veterinarian rules out medical conditions that can cause behavioral issues (such as a urinary tract infection or dental pain). Commonly reported clinical signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome are often described using the acronym DISHAAL, which stands for:

Disorientation
Interaction changes
Sleep/wake cycle changes
House soiling
Activity changes
Anxiety
Learning/memory issues

Treatment for cognitive dysfunction syndrome in dogs includes a normal routine to minimize anxiety, environmental enrichment, antioxidants such as omega-3 fatty acids, and medication like selegiline (used to treat Parkinson’s in humans).

Anxiety and fear-related disorders

Anxiety is the fear or anticipation of perceived danger. Dogs can experience anxiety in response to loud noises, thunderstorms, unfamiliar people or places, or being separated from their loved ones. Even walking on new surfaces can cause some dogs to freeze in fear. Anxiety-related behaviors in dogs can include shaking, inappropriate urination, vocalization, restlessness, destructive behaviors, and aggression.

Puppy parents should focus on prevention by exposing puppies to new places and things during their socialization period of development and rewarding them for bravery. In adult dogs, treatment for anxiety involves a combination of training, positive reinforcement, adequate exercise, and sometimes medications.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in dogs

Dogs can be diagnosed with canine compulsive disorder (CCD), which is very similar to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in people. The diagnosis is slightly different because it focuses on the abnormal behavior (the compulsion) rather than the obsessive thoughts, which dogs can’t communicate.

CCD is characterized by repetitive behaviors that are both abnormal in intensity and frequency. Commonly seen compulsive behaviors in dogs include tail chasing, limb licking, “fly biting,” flank sucking, and pacing. Some behaviors, such as licking, can progress to the point of self-mutilation. These compulsive behaviors occur out of context and often without obvious triggers.

Treatment for CCD involves a focus on behavior modification. This can be achieved with a combination of environmental enrichment, stress reduction, and medications.

Genetic and environmental factors

Both genetics and environmental factors can influence a dog’s behavior. We inherently know this when we think of breeds who are known to be friendly, protective, and so on. Additionally, any dog can develop compulsive behaviors, but some breeds are more likely to display certain types of behavior. For example, large-breed dogs are more likely to compulsively lick their limbs than other breeds. Jack Russell Terriers and German Shepherds are more likely to chase their tails. Bulldogs are more likely to display trance-like behavior.

How to manage stress and mental illness in dogs

Stress and mental health challenges can have a dramatic impact on canine quality of life. Here are some ways to support your dog.

Keep a routine: Dogs love predictability. They spend less energy focusing on the unknown when they know what to expect. Keep a routine that helps them feel confident about their day.
Physical activity: Regular exercise helps dogs expend energy and stay physically fit.
Mental stimulation: You may envy your dog’s status as a family member who doesn’t have to work, but the truth is that dogs get bored. Without mental stimulation, they may resort to less desirable behaviors to distract themselves. Give them play time, training, toys, and food puzzles.
Seek professional help: Have a discussion with your veterinarian. They can make sure that your dog’s behaviors aren’t due to a medical issue. They may recommend medications that specifically target anxiety, or they may suggest seeking help from a board-certified veterinary behaviorist or reputable trainer.

When to seek a vet for mental illness in dogs

There are many strategies available to help dogs and their parents address extreme behaviors, so reach out to your vet. Seek veterinary guidance if your dog’s behaviors are:

New
Frequent, repetitive, and exaggerated
Destructive
Result in self-mutilation
Accompanied by other symptoms such as seizures or a poor appetite
Causing you or your dog additional stress
Putting strain on your relationship with your dog

Bottom line

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that is only diagnosed in humans, not dogs. Dogs can, however, develop cognitive and behavioral disorders that are similar to other human mental health conditions. These conditions can result in extreme, repetitive, or self-destructive behaviors. Treatment strategies include keeping a routine, providing regular play time, training, and medications.

FAQs

What does psychosis look like in dogs?

Psychosis involves a disconnection with reality. While dogs can’t communicate what they see, hear, or think, medical issues such as toxin exposure or neurological disease may lead to behaviors that suggest cognitive dysfunction.

Can dogs have hallucinations?

Dogs can’t tell us what they see, but they can display behaviors like fly-biting or star-gazing that suggest they are interacting with things that aren’t really there. These behaviors are commonly seen with partial seizures.

Can dogs have split personalities?

Dogs can’t have dissociative identity disorder (or “split personalities”), but they can display very different behaviors in different settings, depending on their level of comfort and their ability to cope with stress.

References

Seibert, Lynne. “Management of Dogs and Cats with Cognitive Dysfunction.” Today’s Veterinary Practice, 31 Aug. 2017, todaysveterinarypractice.com/neurology/management-of-dogs-and-cats-with-cognitive-dysfunction.
Stetka, Bret. “Why Don’t Animals Get Schizophrenia (and How Come We Do)?” Scientific American, 24 Mar. 2015, www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-don-t-animals-get-schizophrenia-and-how-come-we-do.
Tygesen, Anne Dorthe Nygaard Sødal, et al. “Behavioral Genetic Analysis on Dogs.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 8 Feb. 2025, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787825000115.
“What Do You Want to Know about Schizophrenia?” Healthline, www.healthline.com/health/schizophrenia#symptoms.

Dr. Alycia Washington, DVM, MS

Alycia Washington is a small-animal emergency veterinarian with over 10 years of experience based in North Carolina. She works as a relief veterinarian and provides services to numerous emergency and specialty hospitals. She also works as a veterinary writer with a focus on educating pet parents.