Everyone talks about how cute Yorkies are, what a Yorkie should eat and how to properly care for a silky-haired little Yorkshire Terrier, but nobody talks about Yorkie poop. That’s right – Yorkie potty habits, and how often one of these adorable little dogs can be expected to go number two per day.
How Often Should A Yorkie Poop?
It is surprisingly common for dog owners to worry about their Yorkie potty habits, but all dogs are different, and even those belonging to the same breed. Your Yorkie should poop at least once a day, as it is important for there to be daily bowel movements, but most Yorkies poop between two and five times per day.
There are a few things that could influence how often your Yorkie poops, as lifestyle and activity level also play their parts, and we are going to have a look at some of the factors that could decide if your Yorkie is one of those dogs that poop twice, or one that appears to be pooping almost all the time.
Age
One of the first things to consider is how old your Yorkshire Terrier is. Young puppies tend to poop a lot more frequently than an adult Yorkshire Terrier, and this is not specific to Yorkies but something that is true for most dog breeds.
If your Yorkie is young and you keep finding poop all over the house – don’t worry; it won’t always be like that. Adult pups are more likely to poop in the morning on their morning walk, possibly once midday and once at night. Some may poop a few times extra, but nothing quite compares to a Yorkshire Terrier puppy’s ability to marathon poop.
Activity Level
The other thing is how active your little fur friend is! A Yorkie that sleeps most of the day, such as a senior dog, may not need to go as often as a young and active dog.
This is because most dogs tend to poop when they are out on walks or when they are active, and they may not realize they need to go as long as they are lying down or sleeping.
As a result, the owner of an active Yorkie is likely to find their dog needing to go number two more often than the owner of a lazy or inactive Yorkshire Terrier.
This doesn’t mean that the dog benefits from being less active, as having regular bowel movements are important for dogs, and a Yorkie should preferably be taken out a few times during the day to poop.
An easy way to notice this is if you pay attention to a rainy day. Many Yorkshire Terriers strongly dislike rain and will do almost anything to get to stay inside.
Keep an eye on how many times your Yorkie poops when it rains and how many times the dog poops on a nice and sunny day, and chances are you will notice a clear difference.
Meal Frequency
It is no secret that Yorkies like to go poop after they eat. Perhaps not right away, but they tend to show signs of wanting a potty break shortly after having had their breakfast or dinner.
Taking this into consideration, it makes sense that a dog that eats multiple times a day will also poop multiple times a day.
For example, a dog that eats twice a day may only need to go poop twice – once in the morning and once at night, but a dog that eats small meals throughout the day (such as a puppy or young dog) is likely going to poop a couple of times more.
If you feel like your Yorkie isn’t pooping as often as he (or she) should, one thing you can try is to split the dog’s daily food portion into smaller meals. If the dog normally eats twice a day – feed smaller meals and add a third meal. It is not guaranteed to work, but it could be worth a try.
Food Quality
The quality of your pup’s food could potentially play a major role. There is a clear link between quality dog food and less dog poop, just like there is a link between more poop and low-quality dog food. Why is this?
Low-quality dog food often contains fillers like corn, soy, and certain types of grains, and these are all fillers with little to no nutritional value for the dog. When a dog consumes a large quantity of something its body can’t absorb nutrition from, it’s going to come back out again.
In contrast, a quality dog food will have a bigger percentage absorbed by the dog’s body, with much less waste (poop) left to come out. It is very logical when you think about it, and a Yorkie that poops excessively could potentially benefit from a diet change.
How Long Can a Yorkie Go Without Pooping?
Alright, so what happens if your Yorkie suddenly isn’t pooping at all? Dogs can go for quite a while without pooping, if the weather is bad, if they have recently had surgery, if they are unusually stressed or excited, and for many other reasons.
A Yorkie that isn’t pooping isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. Keep an eye on your dog but don’t worry the first 24 hours, as this is considered reasonably normal. If your pup still hasn’t pooped after 48 hours, then it is possible your pooch might be a little constipated.
How Do You Know if a Yorkie is Constipated?
A constipated pup doesn’t have to be an emergency, but it is something you want to make sure you keep an eye on. When a dog is constipated, it essentially means it cannot poop the way it normally would, and it is something that can happen from time to time, just like in humans.
The key is to learn to recognize the symptoms of constipation so that you can step in and get your Yorkie help if needed. Constipation in dogs can sometimes require a vet visit. Here is how to know if your Yorkshire Terrier is constipated.
No Pooping for Days
The first and perhaps most obvious sign is that your Yorkie hasn’t pooped in a day or two. This, however, doesn’t necessarily mean the dog is constipated, but it could be a good reason to start keeping a closer eye on your pup’s bowel movements.
Straining with No Poop Coming Out
Sometimes you may be able to catch your York straining as if trying to poop, yet no poop can be found when you bend down to pick it up. When dogs seem to try to poop with nothing coming out – then you should start considering possible constipation.
Pain when Pooping
Pooping should never be painful, neither for humans nor for dogs, and if your Yorkie appears uncomfortable (yelping, crying, or acting strangely) when going number two, then you can almost be sure that your pooch is constipated, as it isn’t normal.
Unusually Hard Stool
It sounds a little gross, but it is a good idea to make a mental note of what your Yorkie’s poop looks like every day. When you know what it usually looks like, it will be much easier to spot a change, such as an unusually hard stool.
Become an expert on your own dog’s poop to catch a health condition as early as possible.
Stool with Blood
It comes as no surprise that blood in a Yorkie’s stool can be a sign of a problem, but did you know it can potentially be a symptom of constipation? If your pup has to push harder than normal for anything to come out, this could irritate the intestines and lead to a small amount of blood coming out.
(Interested in the best ways you can improve your Yorkies lifespan?)
How Can You Get Your Yorkie to Poop?
Once you have established that your Yorkie is, indeed, constipated, it is time to start thinking of a solution. If it has recently started or if it isn’t too severe, you can try a few things at home before heading to the vet. That said, if nothing has worked once 48 hours have passed – it is time for that vet visit after all.
Water
A dehydrated dog could get constipated, and the first thing you want to do is to make sure your Yorkie drinks. Keep an eye on their water bowl to see if they are getting enough liquid, and if not, be a little creative!
If it is hot outside, put treats in a small plastic container and fill it with water. Place in the freezer and let your dog lick the ice to get to the treats!
Canned Pumpkin
Canned pumpkin is known for helping dogs with stomach issues! It helps both with diarrhea and constipation, and you can add a small amount to your Yorkie’s food.
Make sure you purchase 100% pumpkin purée and not some type of pie filling or similar, as these are filled with sugar and other things that aren’t exactly great for dogs.
Coconut Oil
Another thing you can try is coconut oil or olive oil to help that poop come out! Keep in mind that while these oils are healthy, they are also very rich in fat, and you will want to moderate the quantity given to the dog per day. Use it as a food topper and cross your fingers!
Exercise
As we talked about earlier in this article: Exercise promotes healthy bowel movements. If you know that your Yorkie isn’t getting as much exercise as he or she should be getting – head out for a walk! Walk around the block, go to the dog park, or do anything that could get those intestines going again.
When Are Your Yorkie’s Toilet Habits the Sign of a Problem?
Constipation isn’t the only potential issue when it comes to your dog’s potty habits, and there are a few things to look out for. We can’t stretch it enough how important it is to pay attention to your Yorkie’s poop! Here are a few signs of a problem you can spot in your dog’s poop.
Fur
There is no need to worry if you spot a hair in your dog’s poop, but if you suddenly start noticing chunks of fur or long hairs – it is time to pay attention. It could be a sign that your dog is eating its own fur, possibly due to allergies, or that the dog has accidentally ingested large quantities of hair somehow.
Worms
Worms are probably the last thing you want to see in your cute little Yorkie’s stool, but it happens (more often than you might think), and it is crucial to spot worms as soon as possible. If you see something crawling around – worms tend to be the answer, and you will have to deworm your Yorkie to get rid of them.
Objects
Any foreign materials or objects are a cause for concern. If you notice fabric or any other material, it could be a sign your Yorkie ate something that has caused a blockage. Get in touch with your veterinarian, and don’t forget to tell them what you found in your Yorkies’ poop.
Want To Train Your Yorkie With Peace Of Mind?
If you haven’t trained your Yorkie properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your Yorkie has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs, you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and, most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact that you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases, it’s still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your Yorkie completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
Recap
Yorkies are tiny little dogs, but they can be avid poopers! Yorkshire Terrier puppies, especially, poop multiple times a day, and then as they get older – the pooping slows down. It is considered normal for any dog to poop at least once a day, but usually between two and five times.
Most Yorkies poop in the morning after sleeping, along with a few more times throughout the day, and if your pup suddenly isn’t pooping at all – it could mean your little fur friend is constipated! Constipation is not uncommon in dogs, but in some instances, it may warrant a trip to your trusted veterinarian for a checkup.
There are a few things you can do to prevent and treat constipation at home. However, you should always consult a veterinarian if your Yorkie still isn’t pooping after 48 hours.
Sources
- https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/healthcare/dog-poop-health-guide
- https://veterinaryemergencygroup.com/blog/dog-constipation/
- https://www.vetbabble.com/dogs/questions-dogs/how-often-should-dog-poop/
