Yorkies Sleeping Habits: All Day Doze Normal?

If you're concerned about the amount of sleep your Yorkshire Terrier is getting, rest assured that it's normal for adult Yorkies to sleep around 13 to 18 hours per day. Puppies, on the other hand, can sleep anywhere from 16 to 22 hours per day. So, if your Yorkie is sleeping all day, it might just be normal for its age. However, if it's sleeping more than usual, it could be due to health conditions, boredom, or a change in environment.

Puppies sleep more

It is perfectly normal for your Yorkie puppy to sleep a lot. In fact, puppies of all breeds sleep a lot. Yorkie puppies can sleep anywhere from 16 to 22 hours per day. This includes both nighttime sleep and naps throughout the day. As they grow older, you will notice that they sleep a bit less each month, gradually moving away from their own random sleeping schedule to the schedule of the family.

Your puppy will sleep a lot because they are rapidly growing and require a lot of sleep. By the time your puppy joins the family, they will usually be sleeping closer to 16 to 20 hours per day. The puppy's naps can range from 10 minutes to an hour. They sleep, wake up, go to the potty, play a bit, and then they're asleep again.

Your puppy will slowly adapt to your sleeping schedule. To help your puppy transition to your sleeping schedule and sleep through the night, there are a few things you can do to instil good sleeping routines. Firstly, make sure your puppy gets plenty of playtime and exercise throughout the day and before bedtime. However, keep in mind that your puppy needs plenty of time to wind down after play before heading to bed. Remove access to food and water about an hour before bedtime. Allow your puppy to go to the bathroom shortly before bedtime, as an empty bladder may give you a couple of extra hours of sleep before the next bathroom break.

As bedtime approaches, turn down the lights and volume in the house to create a peaceful environment. Follow the same routine every night so your puppy knows what to expect. Take toys out of their crate or playpen at night, except for maybe a soft companion toy that aids sleep. You can give them a command like “get in your bed” as you put them to bed, so they will eventually learn to do it themselves. Ensure that the bed is warm, cozy, and comfortable. If possible, put the puppy’s crate or sleeping area nearby in your bedroom, so the puppy feels like a part of the pack and you can hear them when they awake and need to be taken outside. Put any blanket the breeder gave you (with the mom’s scent) in the puppy’s sleeping area.

Do your best to ignore bedtime crying when they are in their crate or playpen, as long as it’s not a bathroom issue. If you’re crate training a Yorkie puppy, you’ll need to take your puppy out of the crate to potty every time they wake up. This may be every few hours until they can sleep through the night. If you’re potty training your Yorkie to go on puppy pads, they’ll wake up just as frequently, but you do not have to take them out to potty in the middle of the night if you choose not to.

Adult Yorkies sleep 13-18 hours a day

Adult Yorkies sleep a lot—anywhere from 13 to 18 hours a day. This includes nighttime sleep and naps throughout the day.

Yorkshire Terriers tend to sleep a lot, similar to the average dog breed. How much they sleep depends on several factors, including age, health, exercise, and environment.

Yorkie puppies sleep even more than adults—between 16 and 22 hours per day. As they grow older, they sleep a bit less each month.

Adult Yorkies are very active when they are awake and sleep deeply when they allow their bodies to rest. It is normal for a dog of 1-3 years to sleep through the night and take 1-2 short naps during the day. These naps can last from 10 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the environment and what is happening at the moment. For example, a Yorkie will likely wake up if their owner starts preparing dinner in the kitchen.

Yorkies may sleep more during the cooler months, as sleeping helps them conserve energy to raise their body temperatures and stay warm. They may also sleep less during the summer months as higher temperatures can make them uncomfortable.

If you notice your Yorkie sleeping much more than usual, it could be due to health conditions like hormonal imbalances, anxiety, depression, or old age. Other symptoms to watch out for include an unwillingness to walk or run, limping, blank staring, and symptoms of anxiety or fear. If you are concerned about your Yorkie's sleeping habits, consult your veterinarian.

Separation anxiety

On average, an adult Yorkie will sleep around 13 hours per day, with some sleeping as much as 18 hours. Puppies will sleep even more, anywhere from 16 to 22 hours per day. As they grow older, you will notice that they sleep a bit less each month.

Yorkies sleep a lot, and this is normal. However, if your Yorkie is sleeping all day, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. For example, if your dog is sleeping a lot and also experiencing a change in eating patterns, unusual thirst, or excess urination, you should have your pet seen by a vet. These combined symptoms could indicate diabetes or kidney disease.

Yorkies can also sleep more if they are bored and need some mental stimulation or physical exercise.

Yorkies are prone to separation anxiety when they're apart from their humans. This can manifest as destructive behaviour, pacing or restlessness, excessive salivation or drooling, excessive self-licking, or depression or moodiness post-reunion.

• Create a designated area: Use a canine indoor playpen that gives your dog enough room to move around and keep their belongings nearby.
• Provide interactive toys to prevent boredom: Offer toys that encourage your dog to play, such as snuffle mats or toys that sing or talk.
• Give your Yorkie a companion toy: Get a stuffed toy that mimics a live animal, giving your dog a friend to cuddle up with when they're alone.
• Assess and adjust environmental factors: On a day when you are at home, take note of any issues that may occur when you're not there, such as bright sunlight or a window view that triggers your dog.
• Promote a calming atmosphere: Offer comforting background noise with a white noise machine or soothing music.
• Break up the day if possible: If you can, come home during your lunch break or hire a dog walker to give your Yorkie a break during the day.
• Desensitization training for departure cues: Do the things you would normally do before leaving, like handling keys or wearing shoes, but don't actually leave. This will help your dog understand that these cues don't always mean you're leaving.
• Keep home arrivals calm: Maintain a low-key demeanor when returning home, as overly enthusiastic greetings can reinforce your dog's worry.
• Consider OTC calming supplements: Herbal remedies such as melatonin, valerian root, thiamine (Vitamin B1), L-tryptophan, and passion flower can help alleviate anxiety in dogs.
• Prescribed medications: For severe cases of separation anxiety, your veterinarian may prescribe medications such as benzodiazepines or antidepressants. However, these come with possible side effects and should be used with caution.

Health problems

There are a variety of health issues that can cause disruptions to a Yorkie's sleep pattern. If your dog is experiencing pain or discomfort due to an illness or injury, it may sleep more as its body tries to fight off the illness or recover from the injury. For example, if your Yorkie is suffering from worms, liver issues, or heart problems, it may sleep more than usual.

Additionally, if your Yorkie is experiencing digestive issues such as gas, bloating, vomiting, or diarrhea, it may have trouble sleeping soundly.

In some cases, health conditions like hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, diabetes, iron deficiency, or infections can cause your Yorkie to sleep more than usual. If you notice any of these issues, it is important to take your pet to the veterinarian for a check-up and appropriate treatment.

Another possible health-related reason for increased sleep in Yorkies is separation anxiety. If your dog is experiencing anxiety due to separation from you or other family members, it may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This can lead to symptoms such as lethargy, reduced appetite, and overall failure to thrive. Addressing the underlying anxiety and providing comfort and support can help improve your Yorkie's sleep patterns.

It is also important to consider the comfort of your Yorkie's sleeping environment. If their bed is worn out, or if they are sleeping in a drafty or uncomfortable area, they may have trouble sleeping soundly. Investing in a new, orthopedic bed or making adjustments to their sleeping area can help improve their sleep quality.

Change in environment

A change in environment can cause a change in your Yorkie's sleeping habits. If you've recently moved to a new house or apartment, your Yorkie may respond by taking more frequent and longer naps. This reaction could be caused by anxiety or depression triggered by the move. Although these symptoms are not usually serious or life-threatening, they should be monitored in case they become worse.

Yorkies require a lot of sleep, and a change in environment can disrupt their sleeping habits. It's important to provide them with a comfortable and peaceful environment to sleep in. If your Yorkie is having trouble sleeping, there are a few things you can do:

• Establish a nighttime routine and stick to it. Yorkies are easy to train and tend to stay disciplined when it comes to routines.
• Invest in a comfortable dog bed. Yorkies are very fussy when it comes to where they sleep. It has to be comfortable and warm and feel as close to a nice snuggle as possible.
• Wear them out with fun activities during the day so they're tired by bedtime.
• Schedule a potty break before bed to help them hold it for longer and get better quality sleep.
• Try sleeping supplements like melatonin, but only after consulting your vet.

Additionally, it's worth noting that Yorkies sleep more during the winter months. Many dog breeds, including Yorkies, sleep for longer in winter than in the warm summer season to conserve energy and stay warm.

Frequently asked questions