Cats Yawning: Are They Tired or Just Copying?

When a cat yawns, is it just feeling sleepy?

Well, here's a thought: a feline that sleeps for over 20 hours a day may yawn not just out of tiredness. Our feline friends are quite different from us! Besides being a physiological response to drowsiness and fatigue, their frequent yawns are actually a lot more than just that.

Time for Relaxation:

Cats are incredibly intelligent creatures. When they are in a state of deep relaxation or not on high alert, they might yawn as a sign of innocence: "We're friends, I have no hostile intentions!"

So, yawns are also a form of communication for them. Next time, you could try yawning at your cat—it might yield some unexpected results!

Feeling Bored:

When a cat seems to be yawning excessively, it might just be feeling bored. They might scratch, groom themselves, or yawn to relieve their boredom and catch your attention. In such cases, remember to whip out the laser pointer and spend some quality playtime with them.

Making a Mistake:

Have you ever noticed your cat yawn with wide eyes when you're correcting them? This isn't because they're sleepy; it's actually their way of trying to ease their tension! So, when you see your cat yawn, don't keep scolding them. "Meow already knows I made a mistake!"

Is Cat Yawning Contagious?

For some reason, as I write this, I'm finding myself yawning profusely. It's common knowledge that human yawns are contagious. But do cats also pass on yawns to each other? The answer is no, because yawns are not a virus. However, it's not uncommon for other pets to yawn in response to a cat's yawn after the fact.