In dogs, hiccups are caused by a spasm in the diaphragm, a muscle underneath the lungs.

Hiccups can affect humans and dogs indiscriminately. While many find dog or puppy hiccups cute, they might be irritating to your dog.

Here’s some information about dog hiccups, including what transpires when a dog hiccups, why dogs develop them, and when you should be alarmed.

Hiccups in Dogs and Puppies

The diaphragm contracts rapidly in dogs and puppies, causing hiccups. The diaphragm is a narrow, powerful muscle that connects the chest cavity to the belly in dogs. It’s the main breathing muscle.

When a dog breathes in, its diaphragm tightens and slides downwards, allowing its lungs to expand in the chest cavities. As a dog’s lungs compress, the diaphragm relaxes and travels up into the chest cavity. When the diaphragm abruptly spasms, the outcome is a hiccup.

Humans, canines, as well as other creatures hiccup for reasons unknown to researchers. Hiccups may be a holdover from our development in the womb, according to one idea. In numerous animal species, fetal hiccups have been reported. Hiccuping in the womb could be a means for the baby’s respiratory muscles to be tested.

This idea could explain why puppies suffer from hiccups far more frequently than older dogs. Your puppy will hiccup less regularly, if at all, as he grows older.

Another hypothesis is that your puppy’s hiccups are a mechanism for them to get rid of gas or settle an upset stomach.

Do Hiccups Cause Pain in Dogs?

Despite dogs can’t communicate with us, we can determine from their reactions that hiccups aren’t painful. They can be irritating if they linger for a long time, but dogs usually remain quiet during contracts, starting to show signs of tension, fear, or pain.

Hiccups can last anywhere from a few moments to many hours in uncommon cases, although they usually don’t require treatment.

What Causes Hiccups in Puppies?

Puppy hiccups are significantly more frequent than adult hiccups. Because of their increased levels of activity and excitement, individuals tend to take in more air. When puppies are weary, cold, or stimulated, they may start hiccuping.

Another hypothesis is that pups’ muscles are underdeveloped and their bodies are still evolving, causing them more susceptible to muscular contractions.

It’s quite usual for a puppy to hiccup on a routine basis as long as the hiccuping is brief and not accompanied by drooling, sleepiness, wheezing, or difficulty swallowing.

One major cause of dog hiccups is eating hot foods. Spicy foods will always give you stomach gas. It will make them thirsty, and they may drink too much water as a result.

Finally, capsaicin, a frequent element in spicy foods like chili, stimulates diaphragm neuron activity, creating spasms that cause hiccups.

How Can I Stop My Dog From Getting Hiccups?

The majority of hiccup bouts are brief. When they last longer or upset your dog, give them room temperature water or water with a little bit of honey, maple syrup, added to it.

Adding these types of sugar to your dog’s food can be a fun distraction while also helping to settle his breathing.

The hiccups can be disrupted by the swallowing response. To encourage your dog to swallow, try massaging his chest and neck.

To aid your dog’s respiratory patterns to adjust, take them for a stroll or some light exercise. If your dog enjoys tummy rubs, lay them down on their back and give them a gentle belly rub to help them stop hiccuping.

Whenever your dog is lying on its back, do not give them food or drink because this might cause aspiration of undesirable material into the lungs.

During strong hiccups, avoid giving your dog heavy meals or solid foods, as this can cause choking and aspiration pneumonia.

If your puppy is susceptible to hiccups as a result of eating or drinking too hastily, try to slow them down. Tiny amounts of water should be given often.

Also, serve little portions of food and then wait a few minutes before actually serving more so they don’t swallow as much air when eating. You also might try one of several slow feeder alternatives available, which are meant to help speed eaters decelerate.

Letting your dog eat rice, cereals, and bread is another possible remedy for dog hiccups. Because they might inflate in the stomach and induce distention, these can help you get rid of your hiccups. As a result, the diaphragm is put under pressure, which prevents hiccups.

What Is the Duration of a Dog’s Hiccups?

Hiccups in dogs normally last just a few minutes. The hiccup occurrences might last anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes. Hiccups in dogs usually last less than an hour. If your dog has had hiccups for more than an hour, you should consult a veterinarian right away.

What Are the Signs That You Should Consult a Veterinarian?

It’s always a smart idea to consult with your veterinarian if your canine is displaying a new or odd symptom. Because hiccups in dogs might be misinterpreted as coughing, swallowing, or reverse sneezing.

We highly advise contacting your veterinarian about any new symptoms your dog is experiencing.

Making a video of your dog’s symptoms can allow your veterinarian to figure out what’s wrong. If you’re unsure, consult a veterinarian, especially if the hiccups linger longer than an hour. 

Is It Possible That My Dog’s Hiccups Are Caused by Something Else?

Coughing, regurgitation (bringing up unprocessed food), puking, and reverse sneezing can all be difficult to distinguish. Hiccups are a gentle, rhythmical noise that can last anywhere from a few seconds to many minutes.

There must be no other signs of illness, and the dog should not bring up any water and food. When you’re not sure if your dog is suffering from hiccups or something worse, make an appointment with your veterinarian to be careful.

Conclusion

Hiccups are just involuntary spasms of the diaphragm muscle, which cause your dog to inhale. If the hiccupping continues, your dog should seek medical help right away.

We hope that this post has enlightened you on how to prevent hiccups in dogs and when to be concerned.