Hello, again, my human people,
Welcome to the special yawning edition of The Clowder Room. To open: why are cat yawns so freaking adorable, and human yawns…uh, less so?
No one knows.
And here's another thing about yawns no one really knows: why exactly humans yawn.
There are plausible theories: the most commonly agreed upon one is that we yawn when we are not getting enough oxygen and need to expel excess carbon dioxide. The deep intake of breath floods our system with O2, which makes us temporarily more alert (hence, why we yawn when we are tired).
(If you want to geek out on yawning in humans research, this article, though a few years old, is really interesting.)
Now, cats. Ah, cats. Researchers speculate that many kitty yawns are just like our yawns (mammals are mammals are mammals) -- they're trying to stay alert and, so, they take in a deep breath of oxygen.
But here's where things get interesting. There's more to the feline yawn than that. Animal behaviorists and biologists believe that cat yawns are not just an oxygen-intake mechanism. They are also communicative, conveying information about their mood or state of mind. And, in certain cases, they can also communicate that there are underlying health issues.
Communication strategies
Cats use yawns as a way of communicating emotions. If they yawn dramatically when they see you or during a particularly good petting session, that, my human pals, is a message of love, happiness, and contentment.
But not always. As any cat-loving human knows, nothing is that easy or straightforward.
Cats may also yawn to indicate that they are stressed or annoyed (the, uh, opposite of happy and content). But only a little. Not overly so. Just a bit. Like enough that they need to take a sec…and they yawn. In this case, it's a lot like the human equivalent of counting to ten; a yawn helps your cat pause, take a second, and gather their wits about them.
It's pretty easy to tell when it's a love yawn or pissed off yawn, though. For all their subtlety, an irritated cat is hard to misread. Their ears may shift slightly backward or you see a tail swish, in addition to the yawn, whereas the love yawn usually has their body in a relaxed position, with possibly half-closed eyes and other happy "tells."
Cats can yawn as (what behaviorists call) "neurological displacement." Neurological displacement behaviors happen when a cat is feeling ambivalent -- two equally strong but conflicting emotions or desires (such as wanting to go outside, but not wanting to leave a warm spot for the chilly outdoors). Yawning as a displacement is a way to help them cope with those two feelings or wants. This is not behavior that is meant to communicate -- in that they are not trying to give us information, necessarily. They aren't telling us of their ambivalence. It's more a subconscious, instinctual gesture. But if you notice it happening, it's super cool getting an inside glimpse into their thoughts.
And finally, cats yawn at other cats. When they do this, it's a way for them to let the other cat know that everything is cool. There's no threat, everyone is happy, and everyone should just continue what they're doing. It's a clear communication, actually -- none of us would yawn in the presence of danger. We'd get tense, ramp up adrenaline…not yawn. Cats are same same.
Health issues
While yawning is not a symptom, per se, of any specific health issue, it can be a hint that something is going on. It usually means there's discomfort in their mouth area.
Cats will sometimes yawn to stretch out their mouth in an attempt to relieve pain in a tooth, their jaw, or their tongue. But if there is an underlying issue, yawning won't be the only sign. Far from it. You want to pay attention though, if you notice your cat yawning more than usual, in addition to any of the following, which can mean there are dental issues happening:
They have bad breath, beyond the usual cat food smell
They drool, and not just when getting awesome pets
They paw at the sides of their mouth or their ears
They scratch their ears frequently
They change their eating habits
There are other issues that can arise with their sinuses, throat, ears, and related areas that spur them to yawn as a means of relief. If your little dude or dudette has any of the additional signs of dental pain or is showing signs of distress, acting differently, and yawning up a storm, take them to the vet for a look-see. And if you notice any ragged or labored breathing, or if they seem to be severely congested, this could signal serious, serious issues, so get them help asap.
How much is normal?
Super good question, and no one knows. What's normal for your cat and for my cat can be very different. Robert, my Mau, yawns constantly. He love yawns a lot, and irritated yawns even more. Paul, my shorthair, yawns occasionally, and usually only when he first wakes up. I'd be concerned if Paul started yawning frequently, because it just isn't something he does.
With Robert, I'd worry if he stopped or cut down his yawning, because he is a prolific yawner. It's always best to observe your cats and try and establish a basic sense of their yawniness, knowing that yawning exists on a bit of a continuum. As with most behaviors, it's change, particularly abrupt change, that we should note. And always, changes in behavior should be brought up with your vet.
As always, thanks for reading! Next issue, just in time for the new year, we’ll get a bit spicy over here. It’s time to talk about the thing no one ever talks about, but that all cats have, which drive a lot of behaviors, and are pretty freaking important: by special request, the anal glands. Don’t be an a$$ and miss this one.
Note: I'm not a medical professional. As always, you know your cat best. Follow your common sense and consult with your veterinarian. If you need low-cost veterinary services, the Humane Society has some options, but you can always call 211 for your area (in the US) to find out about clinics near you.
Love,
The residents of the Clowded House