diff --git a/gateway/platforms/base.py b/gateway/platforms/base.py
index 2e818b4ea..dcd97f309 100644
--- a/gateway/platforms/base.py
+++ b/gateway/platforms/base.py
@@ -425,6 +425,28 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
         text = f"{caption}\n{image_url}" if caption else image_url
         return await self.send(chat_id=chat_id, content=text, reply_to=reply_to)
     
+    async def send_animation(
+        self,
+        chat_id: str,
+        animation_url: str,
+        caption: Optional[str] = None,
+        reply_to: Optional[str] = None,
+    ) -> SendResult:
+        """
+        Send an animated GIF natively via the platform API.
+        
+        Override in subclasses to send GIFs as proper animations
+        (e.g., Telegram send_animation) so they auto-play inline.
+        Default falls back to send_image.
+        """
+        return await self.send_image(chat_id=chat_id, image_url=animation_url, caption=caption, reply_to=reply_to)
+    
+    @staticmethod
+    def _is_animation_url(url: str) -> bool:
+        """Check if a URL points to an animated GIF (vs a static image)."""
+        lower = url.lower().split('?')[0]  # Strip query params
+        return lower.endswith('.gif')
+
     @staticmethod
     def extract_images(content: str) -> Tuple[List[Tuple[str, str]], str]:
         """
@@ -636,11 +658,19 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
                     if human_delay > 0:
                         await asyncio.sleep(human_delay)
                     try:
-                        img_result = await self.send_image(
-                            chat_id=event.source.chat_id,
-                            image_url=image_url,
-                            caption=alt_text if alt_text else None,
-                        )
+                        # Route animated GIFs through send_animation for proper playback
+                        if self._is_animation_url(image_url):
+                            img_result = await self.send_animation(
+                                chat_id=event.source.chat_id,
+                                animation_url=image_url,
+                                caption=alt_text if alt_text else None,
+                            )
+                        else:
+                            img_result = await self.send_image(
+                                chat_id=event.source.chat_id,
+                                image_url=image_url,
+                                caption=alt_text if alt_text else None,
+                            )
                         if not img_result.success:
                             print(f"[{self.name}] Failed to send image: {img_result.error}")
                     except Exception as img_err:
diff --git a/gateway/platforms/telegram.py b/gateway/platforms/telegram.py
index c37fde42c..076e97ff5 100644
--- a/gateway/platforms/telegram.py
+++ b/gateway/platforms/telegram.py
@@ -272,6 +272,30 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             # Fallback: send as text link
             return await super().send_image(chat_id, image_url, caption, reply_to)
     
+    async def send_animation(
+        self,
+        chat_id: str,
+        animation_url: str,
+        caption: Optional[str] = None,
+        reply_to: Optional[str] = None,
+    ) -> SendResult:
+        """Send an animated GIF natively as a Telegram animation (auto-plays inline)."""
+        if not self._bot:
+            return SendResult(success=False, error="Not connected")
+        
+        try:
+            msg = await self._bot.send_animation(
+                chat_id=int(chat_id),
+                animation=animation_url,
+                caption=caption[:1024] if caption else None,
+                reply_to_message_id=int(reply_to) if reply_to else None,
+            )
+            return SendResult(success=True, message_id=str(msg.message_id))
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"[{self.name}] Failed to send animation, falling back to photo: {e}")
+            # Fallback: try as a regular photo
+            return await self.send_image(chat_id, animation_url, caption, reply_to)
+
     async def send_typing(self, chat_id: str) -> None:
         """Send typing indicator."""
         if self._bot: