Dogs have many cute behaviours, whether they appear to be smiling at us, tilting their head, or giving us those puppy dog eyes. One of these cute behaviours, however, might be accidental—hiccups. Yes, dogs can get hiccups! It’s more common for puppies to hiccup than adult dogs. Dr Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian at Senior Tail Waggers, says puppies tend to eat quickly and are more rambunctious, excitable, and active—all of which can increase the air they swallow and lead to hiccups.
Dr Bonk adds that puppies have weaker respiratory muscles, which can lead to irregular contractions that cause hiccups.
Most times, hiccuping is no cause for concern and is quite common. However, if other symptoms accompany hiccups, you should see a vet.
Why Does My Dog Have Hiccups?
Hiccups are a natural reflex in most mammals. They occur when there’s an involuntary spasm in the diaphragm, causing the glottis (i.e vocal cords) to close abruptly and the respiratory muscles to contract, ultimately resulting in a ‘hic’. Hiccups can happen at a rate of four–60 per minute.
“Even though we don’t know the exact cause of hiccups in dogs, one theory is that hiccups are caused by swallowing excessive amounts of air,” Dr Bonk says.
Below are a few other possible reasons why your dog has hiccups.
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Your dog is eating or drinking too fast
If your dog inhales their food and water, Dr Bonk says they’re taking in a lot of air and more prone to hiccups. Besides hiccups, she says speed eating can cause coughing after eating or drinking water.
Your dog is stressed or anxious
Notice your dog panting or breathing faster? Dr Bonk says these signs of stress increase a dog’s air intake and can lead to contractions of the respiratory muscles, thus, causing hiccups.
Your dog is overexcited
It doesn’t take much for dogs, especially puppies, to get excited. But, similar to how stress can cause hiccups, overstimulation can also, since your dog is breathing harder and faster.
Your dog’s food is too spicy or hot
Spicy or hot food can cause hiccups by making your dog run to their water bowl to quickly lap up cooling water and extra air—Dr Bonk says. She explains that spicy food may also contain capsaicin, which can affect the activity of the diaphragm, leading to muscle contractions and hiccups.
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Your dog has excess gas in their stomach
If your dog is a little gassy, it may be because they’re eating too fast. Dr Bonk says filling the stomach with air can irritate the diaphragm, contract muscles, and cause hiccups.
Your dog is on certain medications
Dr Bonk explains that some antibiotics, antidepressants, and steroids, like prednisone, Valium, or alprazolam, can cause throat and stomach irritation, leading to hiccups or gastric reflux.
Your dog has inhaled an irritant
Dr Bonk says that irritants, such as pollen, grass seed, or other foreign objects, can inflame the airways or throat and rapidly increase air intake—possibly causing hiccups.
How To Get Rid Of Dog Hiccups
The good news? Hiccups rarely require treatment and go away independently, says Dr Audrey Weaver, partner doctor at Heart + Paw Glen Mill in Pennsylvania, USA. However, if you want to ease your dog’s hiccups, you can try a few methods.
Some easy ways to get rid of dog hiccups include the following:
- Give them some water to drink. Dr Bonk says that giving your dog a drink of water often helps as long as you give them a small amount that they can’t just gulp down. Dr Weaver advises watching how your dog drinks since overdrinking can cause them to vomit.
- Give them pet-safe antacids. While giving your dog milk is commonly recommended, our vets urge pet parents to choose a pet-safe gastro protectant or antacid instead. This is because sometimes milk can cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset in dogs.
- Massage your dog’s chest and belly. Dr Weaver says massaging and petting your dog’s stomach may help them pass the swallowed air through burps or farts.
- Take them on a light walk. Dr Bonk says light walks or dog training can help break the muscle contraction cycle. However, to be safe, Dr Weaver recommends pet parents wait to take their dog walking until one to two hours after eating since strenuous activity can lead to bloat, particularly in big dogs, like Great Danes, Saint Bernards, or English Mastiffs.
- Help your dog relax. If your dog is stressed or overexcited, Dr Weaver says helping your dog relax with calming treats, beds, or collars is a good idea. However, she notes these methods aren’t always guaranteed to alleviate hiccups.
- Feed them rice, grains, or bread. Our experts agree that a bland diet may be helpful if signs of GI upset (e.g, vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, drooling, lip smacking) are seen alongside hiccups. However, this method isn’t recommended for the treatment of hiccups alone.
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Is My Dog Hiccuping Or Reverse Sneezing?
Dr Weaver explains that pet parents may confuse hiccuping and reverse sneezing. “Reverse sneezing refers to spasms and subsequent sneezing that occurs second to irritation in the nose and throat,” she says. However, she explains that, unlike reverse sneezing, hiccups don’t involve the upper respiratory tract and are most often triggered by extra air in the stomach. Additionally, she mentions that, unlike reverse sneezing, hiccups can happen secondary to acid reflux and other GI issues.
While outside sources can help decipher how each event looks and sounds, Dr Weaver says pet parents should see a vet if they’re concerned and/or if signs don’t resolve on their own within 24–48 hours.
Should I Be Worried If My Dog Is Hiccuping?
Dog hiccups are usually no cause for concern since they tend to be temporary and resolve on their own (much like human hiccups!) In some cases though, it’s best to seek veterinary advice for your dog’s hiccups if they last a long time or are chronic. Additionally, if you’re dog is hiccuping due to one of the following illnesses, it’s best to see a vet.
- pneumonia
- bronchitis
- upset stomach
- asthma
- parasites
- heatstroke
- heart problems
- ingesting a foreign body
If your dog is experiencing a health emergency accompanying hiccups, go to the vet immediately.
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How To Prevent Dog Hiccups
While dog hiccups are common, you can prevent them from happening, mainly by adjusting their mealtime habits. “Just like in people, eating too fast can cause the swallowing of air that triggers hiccups and other GI issues,” Dr Weaver says.
If you notice your dog hiccuping, try the following mealtime changes. With these minor adjustments, you can hopefully halt hiccups once and for all.
- Invest in a slow feeder for your dog
- Feed your dog smaller meals
- Consider a different water bowl
