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Hiccups are a common thing among humans. We must have experienced these at some point of time. But did you know that hiccups can happen in dogs and puppies too? Although, there is no clarity as to why humans and dogs have hiccups. However, normally, these are not a cause of worry. Let us find out more in detail about dog hiccups and its related information in this article.
Can Hiccups Occur in Dogs and Puppies?
Dogs and puppies can get hiccups and there is nothing to get worried about. Most often, hiccups are due to some involuntary contraction of the diaphragm. So, this means hiccups in dogs are comparable to hiccups in humans as they happen due to involuntary muscle contraction in the body.
A notable fact about dog hiccups is that their frequency decreases as the dog grows up.
Is it okay for puppies to have hiccups? Well, hiccups are common in small puppies compared to adult doggies, although these might happen during their development process. For example, puppies can have hiccups while in their mother’s womb.
Common Reasons for Hiccups in Dogs and Puppies
Stress
When the cortisol levels of dogs go up due to stress or overexcitement, their heart rate increases, leading to irritation of the diaphragm.
Fast Drinking or Eating
Hiccups can occur in healthy dogs due to fast eating or drinking by your dog. The reason is that when they eat quickly, they inhale more air and start hiccups. Such abrupt intake of air results in stomach distention which causes the muscle diaphragm to become irritated. A good remedy is to avoid giving too hot or too cold food to your dog because it may cause hiccups by irritating the esophagus.
Stomach Gas
You thought hiccups in dogs are bad but the fact is that they can help the dog’s body to release extra stomach gas.
Spicy Food
Eating spicy food can cause stomach gas because it contains capsaicin which stimulates the diaphragm’s neuron activity leading to contractions causing hiccups.
Certain Medications
As per recent research, dog hiccups might be due to some medications. These include antibiotics, corticosteroids, and benzodiazepines which can cause dog hiccups. They irritate the esophagus resulting in acid reflux.
Can You Help in Case of Dog Hiccups?
You can tell about it from the motion and the noise of a hiccup which is quite similar to a human hiccup. Since you cannot ask your dog or pup to hold its breath, so you can’t help it get over hiccups. You may calm down the dog by rubbing its tummy and back to give some relief although there is no evidence whether this act helps to control hiccups.
Should I Be Worried If My Dog Has Hiccups?
Well, generally, the answer is no. Dog hiccups are more typical in puppies as compared to adult dogs. Most often, the dogs outgrow hiccups. The reason is the majority of the time, hiccupping happens due to eating or drinking too quickly, excitement, or exercise.
Meanwhile, in case of the following, you must bring your doggy for a consultation with your veterinarian
- The hiccups continue for several hours.
- Dog’s hiccups don’t go away naturally.
- They are preventing your dog from drinking or eating.
- You notice irregular breathing in your dog.
- The dog is drooling.
- There is shortness of breath or wheezing in your dog.
In rare happenings, dog hiccups might indicate Addison’s disease or pneumonia.
Apart from the above, other potentially serious causes of hiccups in dogs can be
Heatstroke
Dog hiccups can be triggered due to heatstroke. Dogs, specifically Bulldogs and Pugs are vulnerable to this life-threatening condition because of their short muzzles and restricted breathing airways.
How to Know Whether Dog Hiccups to Other Breathing Issues?
If you notice that your dog is hacking, coughing, or making constant sounds similar to choking, these can indicate breathing issues. Look for these warning signs—
- Breathing noisily
- Snoring while sleeping
- Snorting noises especially while exercising
- Fainting or collapsing after exercising
- Vomiting
So, if you witness any such symptoms, you should immediately visit the veterinarian with your dog.
Ways to Stop Dog Hiccups
So, can you help in the case of dog hiccups? Well, yes. You can help your dog during hiccups. Usually, these go away on their own. But, if they continue, you can give water to calm down the hiccups. Ask your dog to drink water slowly. If your dog wants food during hiccups, please wait before giving food till the hiccups stop. Otherwise, eating during hiccups can result in choking for the dog.
Things to Avoid During Dog Hiccups
Avoid doing the following during dog hiccups—
- Don’t scare your dog.
- Don’t place fingers in their ears.
- Don’t try to hold your dog upside down.
- Do not pull your dog’s tongue.
- Avoid doing any other trick with your dog to get rid of hiccups.
How to Prevent Dog Hiccups?
Dog hiccups can be prevented by taking good care of dog health. Make your dog follow the habit of slow eating and drinking. This can be done by giving food in a slow feeder and giving small meals. In addition, keeping your dog healthy by giving adequate nutrition, proper exercise, annual vet exams, and routine vaccines can go a long way in the prevention of serious issues.
Conclusion
Just like humans, dogs do get hiccups, although there is no evidence as to why exactly dogs (or even humans) get these. They might happen due to fast eating or rapid drinking, overexcitement, stress, inhalation of irritants, or swallowing of excessive air. Hiccups in dogs go away on their own and hence, are not cause for concern. But, if the hiccups continue for long (lasting for more than one hour or so) and you also see other symptoms, then it is advisable to consult your veterinarian to know the truth.
