Are Yawns Contagious to Dogs & Vice Versa? What the Science Says

If you’re yawning your way through the morning, waiting for your coffee to kick in, chances are that you’ll spot your pup doing the same. But is this matching yawn a coincidence, or are our yawns contagious to our dogs? Believe it or not, scientists have done quite a bit of research in this area and come up with a few answers.

The bottom line is that science says that dogs display contagious yawning behavior, but the exact reason is not definitive. In this article, we look at what scientists have discovered about contagious yawning in dogs (and humans), including potential causes.

Scientists Agree: Yawns Are Contagious

Many of us have heard the theory that yawns are contagious, but you might not know that there’s research to support the idea. A study confirmed that humans yawn in response to another person doing the same.1

In the animal world, research has also found evidence of contagious yawning in chimpanzees and dogs.2 But why does this behavior happen?

Why Are Yawns Contagious to Dogs?

One of the most common theories about why yawns are contagious is that it is an empathetic behavior. Animals (and humans) yawn when they see someone else do it, possibly because they demonstrate empathy for the feelings that caused the behavior. However, the science of this theory doesn’t quite hold up.

Instead, human research suggests that contagious yawning may result from group behavior instead of empathy. One suspected purpose of yawning is to put the body into a higher state of alert. Our bodies may react instinctively to wake us up when we see someone else yawning as a means of protection. It may also be a way for the brain to regulate its temperature, allowing cooler air into the body.

A 2020 study on contagious yawning in dogs also cast doubt on the theory that it’s an empathetic behavior.3 This study found that dogs didn’t yawn more when they watched familiar people versus unfamiliar people do it. This would suggest that there’s something more behind contagious yawning than empathy.

Why Are Yawns Contagious to Dogs?

Unfortunately, science has yet to reach a true conclusion on why yawns are contagious to dogs. One theory is that contagious yawning is a sign of stress. Yawning is a known early warning sign of anxiety in dogs, which would seem to support this idea.

Contagious yawning may also occur in dogs as a means of communication or to improve alertness among a group, similar to the theory about shared yawning in humans.

In Conclusion

While we know that our dogs are frequently sensitive to our moods and can change their behavior in response, contagious yawning isn’t necessarily a sign of this empathy. It is clear that yawns are contagious to dogs and likely other species, but more work is needed to determine why it occurs. In the meantime, you can still enjoy the brief bonding moment when you and your pup yawn together.

Featured Image Credit: Fayzulin-Serg, Shutterstock