Why Does My Dog Yawn So Much? Is It Normal Or Abnormal?

You yawn, and your dog yawns in response. Your friends gush at how cute the telepathy between you and your canine companion is, and you chuckle. However, you still wonder, “Why does my dog yawn so much? Is it normal or abnormal?” Well, there’s rarely anything to worry about.

Your dog yawning is as normal as your dog wagging its tail. As simple as this sounds, just as you might have to pay extra attention to spot when it’s wagging to the left, you need guidance on how to tell when your dog’s yawning is abnormal. And that’s where we come in.

In this article, we’ll answer your question, “Why does my dog yawn so much?” and explain what’s normal and what’s not. You can also trust us to guide you on how to distinguish between the confusing yawns and what to do to ease your feline companion out of their misery.

5 Common Reasons Your Dog Yawns So Much

Let’s face it; even as humans, we sometimes do not know why we yawn. For us, it’s just a reflex action. It’s the same for dogs, and it could be because of these 5 reasons: 

1. Your Dog Could be Yawning to Show Stress or Anxiety

One big reason your dog yawns so much is stress or anxiety, and it’s more common than you’d think. It’s not always boredom; it’s their way of showing they’re frazzled. For dogs, yawning is a calming signal, a clever trick to soothe themselves or others when things feel overwhelming. You inhale deeply and exhale before a big moment, but it’s just a big, toothy yawn for dogs.

Sometimes, you will catch your dog yawning excessively when they are in new places or seeing new faces. That’s stress. When dogs feel uneasy, yawning helps them cope. You’ll often spot other clues, like lip licking or panting, especially in situations that make them uncertain.

Puppies or rescue dogs might yawn more as they adjust to new homes, trying to keep cool. In such cases, even a loud television or a new face can spark a yawn-fest. Also, dogs tend to yawn too much during training. This could be from the stress of learning new commands. You just cannot rule out the possibility of stress, can you? 

2. Yawning Is Your Dog’s Way Of Communicating

Dogs are clever communicators; a big yawn or even a whimper can say a lot. Yawning is like their secret language, and we’ll help you understand it.

Firstly, let’s talk about conflict avoidance. Your dog spots another canine looking a bit grumpy at the park, but instead of barking, they let out a massive yawn. So, it has you wondering, “Why does my dog yawn so much in these moments?” Well, that’s their way of announcing that they’re not a threat, as you would wave a white flag to a hostile crowd, and it works.

Then there’s empathy, which is so cute. Have you ever yawned and noticed your dog yawning back? Well, that’s not just a coincidence. The answer is that they love and are mirroring you. An NBC study revealed that dogs catch yawns from people they love. It is a sign of bonding. This contagious yawning happens most with dogs who know you well.

Nothing to worry about when you catch your dog yawning after you. They’re just speaking as they know how to, keeping the peace or showing love. 

3. They Might Yawn out of Excitement or Anticipation

So, you noticed that your dog yawns so much right before a walk, during playtime, or when I reach for their favourite toy or puzzle box. Well, it most likely is not because they’re tired or stressed. Dogs often yawn to express excitement or anticipation. This kind of yawning is part of their natural way of managing overwhelming positive emotions.

When they know something fun is about to happen, they might let out a big yawn to stay calm. It’s their way of releasing some of that happy tension. 

You might also notice other signs of excitement simultaneously, such as a wagging tail, bright, alert eyes, or a bouncing, wiggling body. So, the next time your pup yawns when you’re gearing up for an adventure, take it as a sign that they simply can’t wait.

4. Your Dog Is Probably Yawning to Show Boredom or Fatigue

Judging by human metrics, the answer you probably expected to the question, “Why does my dog yawn so much?” is that they’re bored, which could be the correct answer sometimes. Dogs could yawn when craving a bit of action, and it’s dead easy to spot. They might tell you life is dull if they’re lounging about simultaneously.

Under-stimulated dogs also yawn from a lack of activity to match their energy levels.. If your dog is  not getting enough and appropriate walks, playtime, or brain teasers for their age and energy level, they’ll yawn to signal they’re bored. That’s them asking for something that’s more fun. 

However, it’s the opposite for aged dogs. They have much less energy to throw around. So, the answer is to point out their age simply. Even when they still have a knack for play, older pups tire faster, so frequent yawning might mean that, though they might want more activity, their body calls for a nap.

5. It Could Be An Indicator Of Health Concerns

Most of the time, your dog yawning isn’t much to worry about. However, it could also be a clue that something’s off health-wise. If your dog is yawning continuously without stopping, it might result from nausea or dental and breathing troubles. So, it’s best to keep your eyes peeled for odd signs.

So, yes, excessive dog yawning might be a good reason to worry, too. In fact, that’s a red flag. Dental issues, like sore gums or breathing problems, can also spark yawns. If your dog’s yawning comes with symptoms like bad breath, pawing at their mouth, or heavy breathing, it’s time to ring the vet.

3 Times You Must Worry When Your Dog Yawns So Much

1. Bad breath or pawing at the mouth: Usually, it’s fine if your pup’s yawning, but when the yawns come with bad breath or your pet keeps pawing at their mouth, sound the alarm! These signs point to dental trouble, like sore gums or a dodgy tooth, and they yawn to ease discomfort. They’re likely in pain, and a quick visit to the vet is a no-brainer.
2. Nausea: If your dog yawns so much with a hunched posture or drooling, your next stop should be the vet. When your dog looks queasy or restless while yawning continuously, it likely has an upset tummy, and nausea is the culprit. 
3. Bloat: When you see your dog yawning and retching with a swollen tummy and visible agony, you don’t have to ask why. The cause is bloat, which is a deadly emergency. Your dog yawning is an urgent cry for help you must not ignore.
4. Laboured Breathing: If your pup is often yawning and struggling to breathe, with wheezing or heavy panting, you don’t need anyone to tell you that’s serious. The laboured breathing, coupled with other signs, like lethargy or blue gums, signifies a lung issue or blockage, and those yawns could mean they’re fighting for air and, maybe, their life too. So, head to the vet’s immediately.

 What Can You Do About It?

1. For stress: If stress is the answer when you ask, “Why does my dog yawn so much?”, the way out is to create a safe space for them, away from noisy crowds and strangers. A quiet walk or gentle strokes can also work magic. You can also pop on soothing tunes or offer a chew toy to distract them. Your dog’s stressy yawns will fade away with a bit of tender loving care.
2. To combat boredom: If you have reasons to believe that boredom is the reason your dog yawns so much, there’s a simple trick to fix it. Your dog is probably tired of the monotony that comes with its playtime. So, you can swap toys weekly, teach tricks like “sit,” or try a snuffle mat for treat-hunting. A quick garden romp or a new walking path keeps them buzzing, too. A stimulated pup yawns less, so grab a toy and make their day lively.
3. Remedying health issues: If yawns come with bad breath, wheezing, retching, or a swollen tummy, it’s vet time. It might be pain, nausea, or a deadly bloat. Note the symptoms and ring the vet quickly. If you can’t make it to one immediately, a quick research can help them diagnose dental or breathing issues. Offer water and a quiet spot until they feel better, but know that a swift check-up keeps your pup wagging.

Conclusion

By now, you know all the possible answers to your question, “Why does my dog yawn so much?” There’s nothing to fret about when it’s just stress, boredom, or excitement. However, ring the vet if yawns come with dodgy signs like wheezing or nausea. So, the wisdom is to watch your pup closely, and you’ll keep their tail wagging happily!