Mary Allen
Yawning is something that can be observed not only in humans but also in cats and other animals. But why? There are many theories on this subject, ranging from simple biological explanations to behavioral reasons.
Why do cats yawn? This question is not easy to answer because, like us humans, there can be different reasons for this behavior. For example, tiredness, boredom, but also communicative reasons can be behind it. Here you can find out more about the various theories surrounding yawning house tigers.
Cats Yawn Because There is Not Enough Oxygen in the Blood?
One of the most well-known theories to explain yawning in cats, dogs, monkeys or humans is the alleged lack of oxygen in the blood. This involuntary action forces the yawning person to take a deep breath and take in more oxygen. However, this assumption is now disputed.
Do Cats Yawn Because They’re Bored?
Are humans and cats a lot more alike than we thought? At least some experts claim that velvet paws yawn when they are bored. This also applies to their human companions, although the deliberately bored sucking in the air of the bipeds is mostly to be understood as a sarcastic comment. It doesn’t go that far with cats. Rather, they seem to gather their concentration when they yawn.
Do Cats Yawn to Stay Alert?
A cat must always remain alert. Yawning is said to be used to do this. The theory: Whenever a house cat gets sleepy and threatens to nod off, it yawns to “reboot” its brain with extra oxygen to keep itself awake. However, this would also mean that cats could control yawning. Because if you want to take a nap, the restart is not used.
Do Cats Yawn to Communicate?
So far, it has been assumed that cats communicate through their meowing and their body language – according to the latest findings, yawning is also part of the latter. With this, the fur nose wants to signal to other conspecifics that it is relaxed and not out for a riot. Additionally, the ears and whiskers are turned to the side or slightly forward, rather than backward or down as angry cats would do. Most of the time, the kitty also stretches when yawning. This gesture of appeasement can defuse sticky situations.
Cats Yawn to Prepare
Another theory is that cats yawn because it’s part of their waking ritual. The oxygen and the stretching movement of the whole body overcome fatigue and they are fully operational, for example, to hunt prey or, in the case of the house tigers, who get their food regularly, to play. For both actions, both body and brain must be awake so that the cat can move quickly and accurately.