Excessive Yawning

[Dilly's Piggies]

For the past couple of weeks, I've noticed my sow Paisley laying down and yawning very frequently, I believe she is the lowest ranking pig in the herd of 5 sows now, she used to be 2nd in command but has dropped to the bottom suddenly over the last few months. She will go and lay down/yawn after being pushed out from somewhere, such as the kitchen area, so as a result she doesn't eat with the others. The 'kitchen' is plenty big enough and there are 6 hay bags, she can join in if she wants to but she seems to be more easily upset now than she was, I'm wondering if this laying down and yawning is a sign of frustration, perhaps even depression. I know Guinea Pigs yawn as a sign of aggression towards another pig, but Paisley isn't directing it at anybody, or maybe she is just very tired for some reason.

Can excessive yawning be linked to any health issue or is this purely behavioural and I need to change the set up for her?

 

[Wiebke]

For the past couple of weeks, I've noticed my sow Paisley laying down and yawning very frequently, I believe she is the lowest ranking pig in the herd of 5 sows now, she used to be 2nd in command but has dropped to the bottom suddenly over the last few months. She will go and lay down/yawn after being pushed out from somewhere, such as the kitchen area, so as a result she doesn't eat with the others. The 'kitchen' is plenty big enough and there are 6 hay bags, she can join in if she wants to but she seems to be more easily upset now than she was, I'm wondering if this laying down and yawning is a sign of frustration, perhaps even depression. I know Guinea Pigs yawn as a sign of aggression towards another pig, but Paisley isn't directing it at anybody, or maybe she is just very tired for some reason.

Yawning is a gestures that translates roughly to "stay away from me; I might bite". She is clearly not happy about losing her standing. Please monitor her weight closely.
Can excessive yawning be linked to any health issue or is this purely behavioural and I need to change the set up for her?

 

[i <3 piggies13]

For the past couple of weeks, I've noticed my sow Paisley laying down and yawning very frequently, I believe she is the lowest ranking pig in the herd of 5 sows now, she used to be 2nd in command but has dropped to the bottom suddenly over the last few months. She will go and lay down/yawn after being pushed out from somewhere, such as the kitchen area, so as a result she doesn't eat with the others. The 'kitchen' is plenty big enough and there are 6 hay bags, she can join in if she wants to but she seems to be more easily upset now than she was, I'm wondering if this laying down and yawning is a sign of frustration, perhaps even depression. I know Guinea Pigs yawn as a sign of aggression towards another pig, but Paisley isn't directing it at anybody, or maybe she is just very tired for some reason.

Can excessive yawning be linked to any health issue or is this purely behavioural and I need to change the set up for her?

your probably right and shes showing anger or fustration

 

[Cuddles With Cavies]

I'm not 100% sure if it's the same with cavies but I know yawning in other animals, including dogs and people, is a way for the to release their stress and anxiety.