We’ve all let out those massive yawns that spread through our whole bodies. Yawning is an interesting phenomenon that no one quite knows the cause of, but it’s something we typically attribute to fatigue or tiredness.
Our yawns can spread to those around us, including our pets, and you might have noticed that your cats yawn in a pretty unique way: with their eyes wide open!
Cats yawn with their eyes open because of the way they reduce stress. Cats yawn to alleviate tension and keep their eyes open to absorb their surroundings. Their peripheral vision helps them soak in everything about their environment so they can relax.
Our feline friends have many unique attributes that help them relieve stress, communicate, and show their moods.
Cats yawn for specific reasons, which distinguishes them from all other yawning creatures, even humans.
Our own cats always yawn with their eyes open, and capturing these moments can lead to some pretty funny faces!
When your cat yawns at you, it might be trying to communicate something important to you. Keep reading to learn all about it.
Why Cats Yawn In A Unique Way
It may come as a surprise, but, in fact, the way your cat yawns can tell you some interesting things about the way they are feeling.
The state of their eyes, whether open or closed, will reveal how they feel, and the frequency at which they yawn can reveal information about their wellbeing.
To understand your pet, you must understand why they yawn in the first place.
The Cause And Effects
A human or animal yawning is described as a reflex in which they involuntarily inhale a large amount of oxygen while simultaneously exhaling a large amount of carbon dioxide.
Yawning, also known as oscitation, is a nervous system mechanism that involves vertebrate animals, specifically humans and cats. What distinguishes yawning is its infectious nature, which allows yawns to spread from one creature to another
Cats yawning will indicate a number of different things:
- Yawning is a mechanism that enables more oxygen to flow into the cat’s body, allowing it to stay more alert.
- Cats, like humans, yawn when they are sleepy. This is because we usually take in less oxygen when we are exhausted, and because we need so much oxygen, our bodies take in a huge amount of oxygen at once and expel CO2 as a huge burst all at once.
- Another explanation for your cat’s quiet roar may be that they’re trying to communicate with you through their yawn.
Cats aren’t the most social animals, but yawning might be a way for them to express themselves to you.
What Your Cat Wants To Communicate
Cats use a lot of body language to communicate with one another, but this could include how your feline communicates with you as well.
Most of the time, your cat yawns because it’s tired and wants to get some fresh air, just as we do when we yawn.
However, sometimes, your cat will be surprisingly vocal in the message it’s trying to give you. For example:
- If you’re petting your cat when they’re resting and they begin to yawn, it may be an indication that they’re annoyed at being distracted and want you to cut it out.
- Stress can be relieved by yawning for cats. If you see cats yawning, it may be that they are feeling under the weather and need to relieve their tension.
- It may also indicate that they are showing how happy they are. Cats will yawn as they stretch and relax during their everyday routine, indicating that they are at ease with their surroundings.
It’s important to focus on your cat’s expression so you know exactly what it’s trying to tell you. Understanding what your cat is trying to convey will make it feel more at ease when you’re around.
What Yawning Does For Your Cat
Yawning is a process that helps the cat to remain alert while allowing more air into the body. Oxygen is critical to the body and allows us to live and lets our brains function well. The yawning process is no different for a cat.
A yawn can be one method to stave off fatigue as it tells your cat’s brain to wake up. As an automatic reflex, it can occur anytime, though it is most common in the evenings and at night.
The Reasons Cats Yawn
Your cat yawns with its eyes open for a variety of reasons.
This is a natural behavior for it, and it may also be beneficial to its overall health. Yawning is a common gesture that your cat will often during the day and under varying circumstances.
Most of the time, your cat is yawning because it’s comfortable and wants to get some fresh air, just like humans. But there are some factors that could indicate clues to your cat’s health.
Based on how much your feline yawns and its general mood, this behavior may be used to assess its overall health.
Treating Any Issues
While the occasional yawn is normal, sometimes, an excessive amount of yawning is a sign that something is wrong, and your cat may be experiencing some oral discomfort.
There are a few symptoms that you should watch out for, that when combined with excessive yawning, could require a trip to the vet.
- Warning signs that indicate oral discomfort include bad breath, drooling, and changing eating habits. If your cat suddenly stops eating or drops its food, this could be an indication that something is wrong.
- Suddenly getting mad when you get near could be a sign that your cat is uncomfortable. This could include snarling and increased aggression, possibly as a result of discomfort.
- Sometimes, your cat keeping their eyes open during yawning and even sleeping could be a sign that their eyelids are injured and may be having trouble closing them. An eyelid injury often isn’t the case but can cause pain if left unchecked.
Cats are proud little animals that don’t often show overt signs that something is wrong.
This’s why it’s always recommended to see a veterinarian if any signs look out of the ordinary. However, in most cases, yawing, even with eyes opened wide, is perfectly normal.
What It Means For Your Cat
Cats are usually more sensitive to their environments than we give them credit. Their peripheral vision enables them to take in everything around them. Even if they know home is a safe spot, you’d be hard-pressed to catch them off guard.
Since cats use fixed staring as a sign of conflict or assertiveness, when a cat is in a more relaxed state, it will yawn or sleep with its eyes half-open as a sign that they are more relaxed.
Therefore, if you’ve seen your cat with its eyes wide open in the middle of the night, there’s a chance it was fast asleep.
What Triggers Yawning
Yawning is a curious occurrence that we all experience from time to time, but cats use it in unique ways to connect with you.
Yawning is a process that causes several things to happen, but cats have evolved to find even more versatile uses for this action.
When your cat yawns at you, it may be trying to tell you something significant, such as “back off” or “keep going.” While it could mean many things, the way your cat behaves should make it clear as day.
In Conclusion
Cats have a variety of characteristics that help them alleviate stress, take in their surroundings, interact with others, and express their emotions.
In general, the way your cat yawns can reveal some fascinating information about how it feels and can even help you and your cat understand each other better.