Skip to Content

Why Do Dogs Yawn?

When dogs yawn it can be a way of communicating that they are excited, stressed or it could simply be a sign that they are tired. 

Have you ever been playing with your dog and right in the middle of having a great time they let out a big yawn?

Does this mean that you’re boring and they’re in need of a nap or is it more complicated than that?

dog yawning on the couch because he's tired

Dogs Yawn When They’re Stressed

Some dogs will yawn when they’re feeling anxious.

If you’re at the vet’s office and your dog yawns, most likely they are feeling a bit stressed out.

They know what’s coming and they would definitely rather be at home or at the dog park.

Another example of a dog yawning when they’re stressed would be if someone or something is invading their personal space. 

This is their way of signaling that they are uncomfortable. 

Sometimes a dog will also lick its lips along with a yawn which would indicate that it might be stressed.

Note that excessive lip licking combine with drool could also mean that they are nauseous or in the early stages of bloat or GDV.

Dogs can yawn for a variety of reasons such as being stressed, excited or just tired

 

Yawning Can Be a Sign of Empathy

A study conducted a few years ago states that dogs may catch their yawns from humans, you know, like the contagious yawn.

You see someone yawn and you yawn. It happens to me all the time.  

This new evidence suggests that dogs may have the capacity for empathy.

(Of course, dogs have empathy, silly.)

Why Do Dogs Yawn?

Dogs Yawn When They Are Happy

Several sources state that a dog yawns when they are excited and this is the way that they cope with their excitement while some suggest that it might be a sign of stress.

A good yawn lowers their blood pressure and helps them stay calm.

dogs yawn when they are excited, tired and stressed

Every time I’m getting ready to take Odin for a walk he’ll do a big stretch with a yawn. 

He’s happy that it’s walk time!

A lot of dogs will yawn when they are being petted and that’s probably because they are happy that they are receiving attention. 

Dogs Yawn When They Are Tired

Psychologists believe that dogs yawn as a way to build social connections and some evidence suggests that yawning helps cool off the brain, providing it with extra oxygen and boosting the heart rate.

Now it makes sense.

So about you? Does your dog yawn? Do you think they caught it from you? Do they yawn at unusual times? Did you yawn while reading this post?

 

Sharing is caring!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Gina reed

Tuesday 14th of June 2016

Ok lately i noticed my dog yawned when we were out driving and i saw that dogs also yawn to smell.....? But i also noticed that when hes sleeping he will start yawning and do it like 3 or 4 times and a couple of them arent full yawns .....now i cant figure out why he wakes up to do this ??? Like hes trying to get air ??? Weird and worried

Rhonda

Monday 1st of February 2016

Interesting. .puff yawns a lot. ..she must be brilliant too ☺??

Kari

Saturday 26th of January 2013

Love the spotted tongue

Stop on the by for a visit Kari http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

2 brown dawgs

Thursday 24th of January 2013

I have noticed that my dogs yawn when they are nervous or anxious about something. Storm was doing a lot of yawning at the show this past Saturday and I noticed Freighter yawning as well.

Love, love the picture!

Karen Friesecke

Wednesday 23rd of January 2013

All my dogs yawn and Dexter is a noisy yawner. He really likes to hear his own voice.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Homemade Cranberry Dog Treats 20 Easy Halloween Pumpkin Carving Ideas The 4 Stages Of The Newfoundland Dog Homemade Apple Dog Treats No-Bake Pumpkin Dog Treats