Why Does My Cat Yawn So Much? Is There Something Wrong?
Yawning is normal and involuntary behavior among mammals, including felines. But why does my cat yawn so much? Excessive yawning can be due to sleepiness, boredom, cooling, or mouth problems. On the other hand, experts suggest that yawning might be a cat’s way of communicating.
Too much yawning can also be a sign of a health problem, but it’s quite a rare occurrence. In this post, I will discuss these potential reasons and if you have to worry about your kitty.
Why cats yawn too much
If you’re curious while little feline is yawning too often, the following might be the reasons why:
Exhaustion and sleepiness
Have you ever tried fending off sleepiness? It always involves repetitive yawning, heavy eyelids, and bobbing heads. This is the same with our cats. Some kitties just don’t like sleeping because they will miss something fun that’s currently happening.
Meanwhile, yawning might be your cat’s way of preparing for a nap. So if you see your feline snoozing after a yawning streak, it probably got exhausted from all the zoomies.
It’s no surprise that cats sleep a lot. An average domesticated kitty will sleep for 12 to 16 hours. This translates to lots of yawning.
Lack of oxygen
Another scenario that will cause so much yawning in cats is the lack of oxygen. Yawning is still partly a mystery for experts, but many suggest that it’s the body’s way of compensating for low oxygen supply.
When your cat yawns, it draws more air into its mouth. It helps release more carbon dioxide while replacing it with oxygen.
It’s important to keep your cat in a well-ventilated area where it can breathe easily.
Boredom
Others suggest that frequent yawning among cats is a sign of boredom. Both feline and human bodies don’t breathe as heavily when they are busy or engaged in an activity. Also, inactivity can cause sleepiness, which is the leading cause of yawning.
Cooling its body
Yawning is said to be the body’s way of cooling the brain. It’s quite true from the scientific perspective since we consume more oxygen when we yawn. Part of that oxygen will be sent to the brain to keep its optimal functions.
Mouth pain
If your cat is yawning too often out of nowhere, you should check its mouth for sores or wounds. Mouth ailments can make a cat yawn in an effort to ease the discomfort or pain. The problem might be within the gums or somewhere into the throat.
If you suspect that your cat has oral problems, you should take it to the vet’s clinic for proper examination. Most cats with mouth ailments will yelp or cry in pain while yawning as they stretch the affected part.
Aside from that, you may notice your cat trying to paw its mouth. This is due to the discomfort that your kitty is trying to appease.
Serious medical conditions
On a more serious note, excessive yawning might point to a health problem. If the yawning is accompanied by drooling, bad breath, and teeth pounding, you should get your feline examined right away.
Difficulty swallowing can also accompany excessive yawning. It’s also a sign that something is wrong with your pet. As with any health problem, early intervention is the key to prevent further discomfort.
Should I worry if my cat yawns too often?
Yawning isn’t usually something to worry about. If your cat’s appetite, sleeping habits, and behavior didn’t change, I don’t think you should be too concerned about it.
Nevertheless, bringing your cat to the vet for proper examination is a good choice. It wouldn’t hurt to be sure when it comes to your pet’s health.
Also, you should watch out for behavioral changes and other symptoms that may accompany yawning. This is the part that will dictate whether there’s something wrong with your cat or not.
Why does my cat always yawn at me?
Is yawning a sign of stress in cats?
However, it’s important to assess the environment first. Are the surroundings loud and crowded? Or is your cat in a quiet and relaxed state? The answer to this will dictate the nature of the yawn.
Do cats imitate people yawning?
Do cats yawn when they are happy?
Why do cats yawn and meow?
Why does my cat yawn when I look at him?
Also, some senior cats and kittens will find it hard to make a sound. So to get your attention, they will yawn instead. This is the reason why experts believe that yawning can also be a feline’s way of communicating to the people around them.
Wrapping Up
Why does my cat yawn so much? It can be due to exhaustion, lack of oxygen, mouth pain, or even boredom. But if your kitty is drooling, crying in pain, or exhibits behavioral changes, you should get it checked at the vet’s clinic. While rare, excessive yawning can also be linked to a more serious health problem.
Is your cat yawning often? What have you observed? Share it in the comment section!
