If an episode of dog hiccups is plaguing your pup, you may be wondering if it’s normal for dogs to get hiccups, or if it could be an indication of a health issue. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby describes why dogs get hiccups, what they mean for your dog, and what you can do for your hiccupping hound!
Dogs can get hiccups just like people do. If you have seen your dog’s belly rhythmically bouncing up for a bit, that’s probably what was happening! Dogs with hiccups may even make the classic “hic” sound that people do.
The good news is that like in people, hiccups come and go in dogs, mostly without incident. However, there are some situations where your dog’s hiccups can point to a bigger issue.
Let’s take a look at what hiccups are exactly, and what they may mean for your dear dog.
What are hiccups?
The sound and motion of hiccups in dogs (and people) is caused by involuntary contractions of the diaphragm. This is the muscle that separates the abdomen from the thorax (chest cavity). The diaphragm is constantly expanding and contracting to pull air into the lungs and push air out of the lungs.
However, sometimes it contracts rhythmically in a way unrelated to the action of breathing. This is hiccups. When the diaphragm spasms, the vocal cords are suddenly pulled closed, creating the “hic” sound associated with hiccups.
Why do dogs get hiccups?
We often don’t know the exact cause of the hiccups. However, situations or conditions that irritate the diaphragm can potentially lead to hiccups. Causes of hiccups in dogs include:
- Eating or drinking too quickly
- Gulping air
- Excitement
- Stress or anxiety
- Sudden air temperature changes
- Heavy panting
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Certain respiratory issues such as pneumonia
Brachycephalic breeds (those with short noses and smushed faces), such as Bulldogs and Pugs, generally get hiccups more frequently than other dogs. This is the case because their upper airway anatomy tends to make breathing a bit more challenging. As a result, they may pant harder or gulp more air, and therefore have more episodes of hiccups.
Do puppies get hiccups?
Hiccups are also very common in puppies. In fact, we see hiccups much more often in puppies than in adult dogs. Puppies can even have hiccups multiple times every day. Typically, they do grow out of their frequent hiccups as they get older.
This is another parallel between dogs and people. Babies and young children get hiccups far more than adults do on average. In fact, I have distinct memories of noticing my own kids getting hiccups in my belly before they were even born!
Hiccups happen more often in puppies for a few reasons. In young animals, the diaphragm is still developing and is very sensitive to irritation. Puppies are also learning how to regulate their breathing and how to pace themselves when they eat or drink. I can’t count the number of times I have watched puppies scarf down food and gulp down water and then fall asleep with hiccups jostling their distended bellies.
Is it normal for dogs to get hiccups?
Most of the time, hiccups are benign and temporary. If you notice your dog drinking too fast and then a few minutes later he or she has a bout of hiccups, it is not cause for concern. Same goes for hiccupping after scarfing down some food, or after getting overly excited. Sometimes you don’t even know what set off the hiccups.
Generally, as long as your dog stops hiccupping fairly quickly (in less than an hour) and is otherwise acting fine, he or she is just having “normal” hiccups.
When do hiccups indicate a potential health problem?
However, there are situations where hiccups can accompany some concerning health issues. Contact your veterinarian if your dog has hiccups and also:
- Irregular or difficult breathing (gasping, panting excessively, dog is breathing fast, abnormally noisy breathing, etc.)
- Retching or vomiting
- Excessive drooling or the dog keeps licking his or her lips
- Being a lethargic dog
- Decreased appetite
- Your dog is swallowing a lot
Health problems such as esophagitis in dogs, pancreatitis in dogs, pneumonia in dogs, heart disease in dogs, and even heat stroke in dogs may stimulate dog hiccups. If you you see any of the symptoms above or other concerning signs, make an appointment with your vet.
It’s also a good idea to contact your vet if your dog’s hiccups don’t stop on their own within an hour of starting.
Do’s and don’ts of getting rid of dog hiccups
If your dog has hiccups, you usually do not have to do anything. They will go away on their own. However, if you feel like trying something to get rid of dog hiccups, there are a few do’s and don’ts.
1. DO help your dog breathe normally
To help calm irregular breathing (if present), reduce stimuli, go into a quiet area, and try to encourage your dog to relax. Getting back into a regular breathing pattern can help to slow and eventually stop diaphragm spasms causing the hiccups.
2. DO give your dog a gentle tummy rub
A slow, calm tummy rub may help your dog’s diaphragm to relax. Plus, it can be calming for your dog, and for you too.
3. DON’T use human hiccup cures on your dog like breath holding or tongue pulling
There are a variety of proposed cures for human hiccups, such as holding your breath, eating something sweet or salty, or drinking water upside down. Plus, people attempting to get rid of hiccups might ask someone to pull their tongue or scare them.
These hiccup remedies are not suitable for dogs. Trying to get your dog to hold his or her breath, pulling his or her tongue, or scaring your dog can be stressful. And doing those things is unlikely to make your dog stop hiccupping.
4. DO offer your dog a drink of water.
There is one hiccup remedy for humans—drinking water—that is a good option for dogs too. Offering your dog a bowl of fresh water can sometime encourage him or her drink some, which could potentially help stop the hiccups. However, you should not attempt to force your dog to drink water or syringe it into his or her mouth.
How can I keep my dog from getting the hiccups?
Some causes of hiccups in dogs are out of your control. However, you can take steps to help your dog eat slowly. Using methods for enrichment feeding for dogs such as Kongs, puzzle toys, and slow feeders can slow down fast eaters. Plus, this sort of feeding, along with other mental stimulation toys and games for dogs, is great for exercising your dog’s brain.
Additionally, you can monitor your dog’s breathing and take steps to get it back to normal before hiccups start. This may involve giving your dog a rest break while you are playing, helping your dog cool down if he or she is too hot, or removing your dog from a stressful or exciting situation.
Don’t pan-“hic” when hiccups happen
If your dog or puppy has the hiccups, remember that they are usually harmless and self-limiting. Join your dog for some calm down time, belly rubs, and maybe a sip of water, and they should resolve in no time.
Keep in mind though that if your dog hiccups for more than an hour without stopping, he or she is showing other symptoms, or you are otherwise concerned, contact your veterinarian for advice. He or she would be happy to help!
Does your dog tend to get hiccups?
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