It startles me to see my Yorkie sleep so much during the daytime after it has had its long night’s beauty sleep. This behavior was new to me and I started wondering, Why Do Yorkies Sleep So Much?
If you are having similar issues with your Yorkie, then you must probably be wondering the same.
After in-depth research, we have come up with several reasons as to why your Yorkie sleeps so much and what has resulted in this change of sleeping habits.
Why Do Yorkies Sleep So Much?
Normally Yorkies’ sleep depends on their age. A Yorkie pup tends to sleep more than an adult Yorkie for normal functioning of its body.
A puppy sleeps for about 16 to 22 hours, while an adult Yorkie sleeps for about 13 to 18 hours a day including the little naps during the day.
If your puppy is sleeping for long hours, it is quite normal. But if your adult Yorkie feels sleepy for most of the day, it may be because of one of the following reasons.
1. Over Eating
Just like us humans, dogs feel sleepy after having a nice meal. If you put out a favorite dish of your Yorkie, it might end up eating more than usual which is why it may feel sleepy.
2. Excessive Exercise
If your Yorkshire Terrier puppy ends up playing or exercising more than its usual routine, then it will also sleep a bit more than usual until it gets its energy back.
If you want to know about the signs to look for sleep-related disorders, then have a look at this video.
3. Comfort
Your Yorkie is accustomed to sleeping in its bed but it might be possible that the dog bed is not comfortable. This inconvenience can lead your Yorkie to sleep more in the daytime in a cozy corner.
4. Health Issues
If your Yorkshire Terrier is suffering from some health issues, it is probable that your terrier did not get proper sleep at night. For this reason, it tends to cope with its sleep in the daytime.
It is also possible that your pet dog is fighting an illness whose medication makes your Yorkie more prone to sleep. If your pet’s sleeping concerns do not fade down, then go see a veterinarian at the earliest.
Sleeping Habits Of Yorkies
Yorkies have a habit of sleeping at a stretch at night and then at intervals in the daytime. They tend to wake at the sound of unfamiliar voices or if you’re cooking something delicious in the kitchen and the smell is too yummy.
We have already established that a Yorkie puppy sleeps more than an older Yorkie. This is for the proper functioning of their body. If you hear your adult Yorkie snoring then it is because his nap has turned into a deep sleep.
The snoring can also be a result of sleep apnea in which case you must consult a vet and get your dog treated.
1. How Much Do Yorkie Puppies Sleep?
The puppies of this dog breed, like any other, tend to sleep for most of the day for their physical and mental development.
It takes time for a newborn Yorkie pup to adjust to the new environment, which is why they snooze for almost 18 to 22 hours throughout the day.
After 16 weeks, your Yorkie puppy will sleep for 16 to 18 hours minimum, unless it has developed some kind of illness in which case they sleep for more than 20 hours.
Let your puppy sleep in peace and do not disturb it unless required because a good night’s sleep is required for its overall good health.
2. How Much Do Adult Yorkies Sleep?
Adult Yorkies sleep for about 14 to 18 hours including short naps throughout the day. Their naps can last from 2 minutes to an hour.
As your canine companion grows from a puppy to an adult, it will sleep for fewer hours and want to play with you for as much time as possible.
Make sure that you provide a comfortable bed for your dog and place it in a quiet corner where it won’t be disturbed.
You can check out this amazing dog bed for pet dogs that your Yorkie will absolutely love to sleep in.
3. How Much Do Older Yorkies Sleep?
After 10 years of age, your Yorkie will start to sleep more than usual and may also develop some health conditions.
These health issues can interfere with your Yorkie’s sleeping habits, which is why you need to take care of your older dog as much as you can with the help of a vet of course.
As a pet owner, you need to make sure that your Yorkie’s bed or crate is comfortable. If your Terrier’s muscles have become weak, then get an orthopedic bed so that they can feel relaxed after the daily chores.
Have a look at this comfortable orthopedic bed for your Yorkie which would relieve him of his pain.
Do Yorkies Get tired easily?
Yorkies tend to sleep a lot, but when they wake up, they are full of energy. They play a lot and jump around you all the time. It is not very likely for Yorkies to get tired easily.
However, if you are giving him some special training that requires a lot of exercise, then your Yorkie may feel tired. Give your Yorkie time to adjust to the new routine and become stronger at such times.
Where Do Yorkies Like To Sleep?
Yorkies generally like their sleeping spot to be comfortable and hassle-free. These are the most common places that you will find your small dog sleeping in.
- Warm and cozy corners
- Under furniture
- Under your bed covers snuggled with you
- Snuggled with your other pet
And don’t be surprised if your dear Yorkie sleeps between your legs!
Will Yorkies Sleep Less As They Get Older?
Yorkies actually tend to sleep more as they near old age. However, if your pet dog is not able to sleep during the night, it might be because of some underlying health issues.
It is common for dogs to develop illnesses that interfere with their sleep. As they grow older, their muscles also start to hurt which may keep them up at night. Get an orthopedic bed if your Yorkie has arthritis or suffers from muscle pain.
Reasons Yorkie Sleeping Habits May Change
There are several reasons for your Yorkie’s sleeping habits to change. Let’s have a closer look at them.
1. Aging
The major reason for a change in your Yorkie’s sleeping habits is growing age. It is assumed that the older Yorkies sleep more than the Yorkie puppies and adult Yorkies but that isn’t always the case.
With growing age, their bones and muscles started to weaken which causes them severe pain. You have to provide your Yorkie a comfortable bed and lots of love to support it.
Your Yorkie might also suffer from luxating patella owing to old age. Take a look at the best dog supplements for this condition here.
2. A Hyper Yorkie
The aggressive nature of some Yorkies tires them out which leads them to sleep more even after a long night of sleep. Your Yorkie may have anxiety issues that mold into hyper and aggressive behavior. You can try giving your Yorkie calming supplements for their anxiety issues.
These calming supplements are sure to pacify your Yorkie that we totally vouch for.
3. Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea is a snoring problem mostly seen in overweight dogs but you can see it in any size of a dog. It can also happen to a teacup Yorkie because its nostrils are small and that can lead to difficulty in breathing.
The difficulty in breathing makes it hard for your Yorkie to sleep at night.
If you see your Yorkie snoring a lot or sleeping more than usual, then your Yorkie may be suffering from sleep apnea. You should consult a vet for treatment options.
4. Health Problems
With age, comes a myriad of health problems that can keep your Yorkie awake at night. The discomfort caused by those health problems interferes with your Yorkie’s sleep.
If your Yorkie is battling any illness, it is possible that his body is tired of fighting the health issues which may lead your dog to sleep more than usual.
5. Overweight
Being overweight can cause many health issues to your Terrier. He can’t exercise more often and becomes lethargic. His only option is to sleep it off. It also causes breathing problems that interfere with your dog’s sleep.
Why Does My Yorkie Sleep Between My Legs?
As a Yorkie owner, you should feel lucky that your little dog feels comfortable enough to sleep this close to you. It means that your Yorkie trusts you to protect him.
It is also possible that your Yorkie has separation anxiety that layers from the separation from their mother or siblings at an early age. They seek comfort by sleeping between your legs.
If your Yorkie is sleeping between your legs, it is because he yearns for your love and affection. It can also be because there is an unfamiliar face near you that your Yorkie wants to protect you from.
Take this opportunity to bond with your Yorkie and shower him with love and care.
What Are The Various Yorkie Sleeping Positions?
The position in which your Terrier sleeps can tell you a lot about its personality. Its sleeping position may change with a change in its environment. You can also tell if your Yorkie is comfortable with you by its sleeping positions.
Let us have a look at the different Yorkie sleeping positions and what that says about their personality.
1. Side Sleep
This is the most common sleeping position for Yorkies. You will mostly see Yorkie pups sleeping in this position during their daytime naps. This position is hardly used by Yorkies to sleep at night.
If your dog sleeps in this position, then you will notice that your Yorkie stays happy and carefree all the time.
2. Crazy Legs
In this position, your Yorkie will lay on its back with all its legs in the air, hence the name crazy legs. This position shows that your pup is comfortable around you because they don’t generally show their tummy if they don’t trust their owner.
If your dog sleeps in this position, it means that they are submissive by nature because of which they feel vulnerable sometimes. You will notice that your Yorkie remains relaxed and laid back when it sleeps in the crazy legs position.
3. Passed Out
The passed-out position is very similar to the crazy legs position. The only difference is that in this position, your Yorkie’s legs remain curled on its chest.
It is used when dogs feel overheated as their tummy does not have much fur to trap heat. The sweat glands in your dog’s paws are exposed to the air which makes their body temperature cool down in this position.
The passed-out position indicates that your Yorkie does not want to be disturbed, so do not wake it up.
4. Superman
In this position, your Yorkie will sleep on its belly with the legs stretched out. It makes your Terrier look like flying superman and hence the name. This position helps your Yorkie to easily wake up and start doing its activities immediately.
The Yorkshire Terriers who sleep in this position are very playful and energetic.
5. Back to Back
In this position, the Yorkie sleeps back to back with either the dog owner or any other pets. If your dog sleeps in this position, then consider yourself lucky that your Yorkie considers you a part of its clan and wants to protect you in case of any threats.
6. Belly Curl
The belly curl position is used by shy Yorkies. In this position, your Yorkie wraps its legs around its tummy tightly. It is not recommended for dogs to sleep in this position as their muscles can’t relax and cause pain later in their life.
To stop your Yorkie from sleeping in this position, make sure that you spend more time with your Yorkie so that it gets comfortable around you.
7. Curly Sue
The Curly Sue position is similar to the belly curl position. In this position, the dog will hide its legs under its body and keep its tail curled. This is a reflex action in Yorkies who try to stay safe within their pack.
This position indicates that your Yorkie is agonized by something like meeting an unfamiliar person or animal. It can also mean that they are just feeling cold.
Conclusion
We hope that you got all your answers regarding Why Do Yorkies Sleep So Much. Little changes in your Yorkie’s environment can lead to changes in their sleeping patterns.
There isn’t any reason to worry if your Yorkie sleeps longer than usual. It is probably just because your Yorkie got tired playing all day long. It is very unlikely that there is an underlying health issue for the long hours of sleep, but keep an eye out for any other behavioral changes.
