Why a dog yawns: it's not always about fatigue or a desire to sleep

13.09.2023 06:50

Few dog owners worry when they see their pet yawn.

Usually people come to the conclusion that the animal is simply tired or wants to sleep.

However, in reality, yawning is not as harmless a phenomenon as it might seem at first glance.

If the dog opens its mouth wide and makes deep breathing movements for several seconds, the owner should assess the situation.

Why does a dog yawn?

Of course, yawning can be explained by the animal's fatigue.

dog
Photo: © Belnovosti

If your pet hasn’t had enough sleep or has been under a lot of physical stress for a long time, then it’s probably because your four-legged friend wants to rest.

But if the dog is cheerful and clearly not tired, then yawning is most likely a manifestation of stress.

By yawning, an animal demonstrates its fear or desire to stop some process that is unpleasant for it.

In such a situation, a person needs to try to protect their pet from the thing that the animal perceives as a source of danger to itself.

If we are talking about a vacuum cleaner or some other noisy device, then the device should be turned off and the dog should be taken to another room.

Kurchev Anton Author: Kurchev Anton Deputy Editor-in-Chief