Furry Fun Fact of the Day: Is yawning contagious amongst dogs and cats?

Welcome, fellow pet enthusiasts, to the Furry Fun Fact of the Day!

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Pets can do all sorts of crazy – and wonderful – things, can’t they? We bet you discover new things about them daily.

Have you ever heard of a singing dog for example?

Join The South African website as we set out to learn fascinating – and often humourous – fun facts that set our pets apart from the rest of the animal kingdom.

Discover things about these bundles of joy that will leave you chuckling and wondering if they’re not little humans in disguise!

Is yawning contagious amongst dogs and cats?

Yawning isn’t just a sign of tiredness for our furry companions! Believe it or not, yawning can actually be contagious amongst dogs and cats.

Research suggests that when a dog or cat sees another yawn, even a human yawn on a screen, they’re more likely to yawn themselves.

This phenomenon isn’t fully understood, but scientists have a couple of theories. It could be a sign of empathy, a way of showing they understand and share the sentiment of sleepiness.

Alternatively, it might be a form of social bonding, where mirroring behaviors strengthen the connection between individuals.

So next time you catch your dog or cat yawning after you, don’t reach for another cup of coffee just yet!

They might simply be expressing their connection to you in a unique, yawn-filled way.

ENJOYED THE FURRY FUN FACT? WATCH VIDEOS HERE!

Do you know any furry fun facts you’d like to share?

If so, email info@thesouthafrican.com or a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 and we’ll publish the ones that fascinate us!

You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest facts.

While you’re here, watch daily News in a Minute videos on The South African YouTube page for all that you really need to know!

Enjoy a wide variety of videos from news, lifestyle, travel, sports, viral videos – and lots more!

WIN WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN

Your pet surely deserves a new toy🙂

Now that you’ve enjoyed the furry fun facts, tackle a variety of quizzes and competitions on The South African website.

There’s a quiz with a cash prize that has your pet’s name on it.

Good luck!

Artificial Intelligence assisted in compiling this article.