Can Dogs Get Hiccups?

If you're a new dog parent and have never seen your dog get hiccups, the first time might catch you off guard. You might find it funny at first, until you start to wonder if something’s wrong. The good news is that hiccups in puppies or dogs are generally harmless as long as they don’t last too long.

Yes, dogs can get hiccups, and this is true for most mammals that have a diaphragm. When a dog's diaphragm contracts involuntarily, it triggers the nerves connected to their throat, causing that familiar hiccup sound. This process is much like how humans experience hiccups, and it happens similarly in other mammals as well.

Puppies are particularly prone to hiccups because they’re full of energy and often haven’t learned how to pace themselves while eating or playing. As dogs grow and become more settled, hiccups usually become less common.

Puppies can even get hiccups while they’re sleeping, and it isn’t unusual for a young puppy to experience them fairly often. Puppies also tend to swallow more air when they eat quickly, play excitedly, or get worked up, which can contribute to those little diaphragm spasms. Most of the time, they simply disappear on their own.

Some dogs may also be more prone to hiccups because of their anatomy. Brachycephalic breeds, such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers, can experience hiccups more often because their shorter airways can make normal breathing more difficult.

What Causes Dog Hiccups?

Hiccups in dogs are generally nothing to worry about. The most common cause is gulping down food or water too quickly. Overeating, excitement, or even stress can also cause hiccups. Some foods, especially spicy or irritating items, might upset your dog's stomach, triggering hiccups. If your dog frequently gets hiccups after meals, consider adjusting their diet or feeding routine to see if a particular food could be the culprit.

Swallowing air is another common trigger, which is one reason hiccups often happen after eating or drinking quickly. Heavy breathing or intense play can also cause a dog to swallow more air than usual. Other possible triggers include getting cold, a sudden change in temperature, or becoming very excited.

Occasionally, hiccups can occur along with an upset stomach. Nausea, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal problems can irritate the area around the diaphragm and contribute to hiccupping. Respiratory problems that cause coughing or heavy breathing can also sometimes be associated with hiccups, although these causes are much less common than simply eating or drinking too quickly.

When Should You Be Concerned?

While occasional hiccups are typically harmless, there are rare cases where persistent hiccups could indicate a more serious issue. If hiccups last longer than an hour, or if they occur frequently, this could be a sign of an underlying problem such as a respiratory condition, asthma, or heat stroke. If you notice prolonged or unusual hiccups, it’s best to consult your vet to rule out any serious concerns.

The length of the hiccup episode is only part of the picture. It’s also important to pay attention to how your dog feels between hiccups. A dog who has a short episode but otherwise acts completely normal is usually less concerning than a dog whose hiccups are accompanied by coughing, wheezing, vomiting, retching, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, lethargy, or obvious discomfort.

Breathing problems deserve particular attention. If your dog is struggling to breathe, breathing rapidly or noisily, or their gums appear blue, gray, or unusually pale, don’t assume it’s simply hiccups. Those signs require prompt veterinary attention.

Understanding Your Dog’s Body Language During Hiccups

It’s also helpful to pay attention to your dog’s body language when they experience hiccups. Most dogs will continue to play or rest without much concern, but if your dog seems distressed, is coughing, or showing other unusual symptoms like difficulty breathing, there may be more at play.

It can also help to take a short video if you aren’t sure whether your dog is actually hiccupping. Coughing, gagging, retching, and hiccupping can sometimes sound or look similar, and a video can give your veterinarian a better idea of what is happening if the behavior continues.

How to Help Your Dog to Stop Hiccupping

If your dog has a short bout of hiccups, there are a few simple things you can try to help:

1. Offer Your Dog Water:

Just like in humans, drinking a little water can help reset your dog's diaphragm and stop the spasms. Make sure the water is at room temperature, as very cold water could cause additional irritation.

If you offer water, encourage your dog to drink slowly rather than gulping down a large amount. Drinking too quickly can cause your dog to swallow even more air and potentially make the problem worse.

2. Change Your Dog’s Breathing Pattern

Interrupting your dog's breathing pattern may help stop the hiccups. You can try engaging your dog in a play session or offer your dog a treat. Chewing or swallowing can alter the breathing rhythm enough to stop the hiccup reflex.

Keep anything you try gentle and low-key. A short, leisurely walk or calm interaction may help distract your dog and settle their breathing. There’s no need to startle your dog or try to force the hiccups to stop.

3. Massage Your Dog

If your dog's hiccups are due to excitement, try calming them down with a gentle belly rub or massage. This not only helps your dog relax but may also ease the spasms causing the hiccups.

Sometimes the best approach is simply to let the episode run its course. Most dog hiccups disappear within a few minutes without any treatment at all.

How to Prevent Hiccups in Dogs

Although hiccups are usually harmless, there are a few preventative measures you can take to reduce their occurrence. If your dog tends to eat too fast, consider using a slow feeder bowl. These specially designed bowls make it harder for dogs to gulp their food, encouraging them to take smaller bites and reducing the likelihood of hiccups.

Dividing meals into smaller, more frequent portions can also help. In addition, if excitement seems to be the cause of your dog’s hiccups, you can try calming activities like a slow walk before meals to help regulate their breathing.

You can also try a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat if your dog tends to inhale meals. These options encourage slower eating and can reduce the amount of air your dog swallows. Keeping mealtimes calm can help, too, particularly with puppies who become overly excited around food.

Avoid any sudden diet changes and very cold food or water may also help dogs who seem particularly prone to hiccups.

When to See Your Vet

If your dog hiccups frequently hiccups, or if they last for an extended period, a trip to the vet is a good idea. The veterinarian may run tests to determine the underlying cause, and in some cases, may prescribe a muscle relaxant to ease the diaphragm.

It’s especially important to contact your veterinarian if the hiccups are accompanied by vomiting, retching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, lethargy, pain, or changes in breathing. These additional symptoms can point to a problem that has nothing to do with ordinary hiccups and deserves further evaluation.

For puppies, don’t ignore other signs of illness just because hiccups are common at this age. A puppy who has hiccups along with vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, or unusual tiredness should be checked by a veterinarian.

Final Thoughts

For the most part, just like in humans, hiccups in dogs are usually a harmless and short-lived annoyance. So, if your dog has a case of hiccups, there’s no need to stress. Just wait it out, and they’ll likely pass quickly.

For most dogs, a few minutes of hiccupping is simply one of those funny little things that comes with being a dog. As long as your pup is acting normally, eating and drinking normally, and breathing comfortably, you can usually sit back and let the hiccups pass.