Dog Hiccups: What Are They and How Do Dogs Get Them?

As a pet parent, you may wonder—can your dog get hiccups? Why do dog hiccups happen? Are they serious?

In this article, you'll everything you need to know about dog hiccups.

Do Dogs Get Hiccups?

Yes, dogs get hiccups!

A hiccup looks like an uncoordinated breath that comes with a “hic-cup” sound.

Hiccups happen because of spasms in the diaphragm, an organ made of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. Its normal job is to get smaller and bigger during breathing.

Without a working diaphragm, a dog (or a person) can’t breathe. The spasms that cause hiccups are involuntary, unable to be controlled by your pup.

Hiccups can also happen after drinking or eating, especially if they eat or drink quickly.

Dog hiccups often go away within a few minutes.  

Hiccups can occur in dogs of all ages, shapes, and breeds.

However, Brachycephalic dogs—such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers—are prone to hiccups more than those with a longer face. Their normal anatomy can lead to hiccups due to airway constriction.

Can Puppies Get Hiccups?

Hiccups are also more common in puppies than adult dogs. Puppies often get hiccups when they are asleep. Most often, the cause of hiccups in puppies is harmless.

Hiccups are also connected to gulping air while eating quickly or when excited. Puppies have also been known to hiccup when they are tired or cold.

A puppy’s muscles are weaker than an adult dog, which explains why they can hiccup more often. It can be normal for a puppy to hiccup daily, but particularly if there are also signs of an upset stomach.

If your pup has hiccups and symptoms of an upset stomach, such as vomiting, diarrhea or change in appetite, a vet visit is recommended.

Causes of Dog Hiccups

Dog hiccups are caused by a variety of things, including:

• Swallowing air

• Eating and/or drinking too fast

• Overeating

• Excitement

• Cold temperatures

• Sudden change in air temperature

• Playing too rough with pet parent or another pet

• Inhaling an irritant

• Stress

• Severe anxiety

• Hyperventilation (breathing rapidly) or heavy breathing

On rare occasions, hiccups can be related to medical conditions:

• Asthma and other respiratory issues (such as kennel cough) can cause hiccups, often because of heavy or labored breathing that leads to swallowing air.

• Pneumonia and heart disease can also cause hiccups, since these conditions often have coughing as a symptom.

• Heatstroke can also cause dog hiccups because it can affect all muscles of the body, including the diaphragm.

• Nausea and other signs of upset stomach can cause hiccups, since the stomach sits just below the diaphragm.

When To Call Your Vet About Dog Hiccups

If your dog’s hiccups last more than an hour or so and happen more than a few times a day, it can be concerning.

Hiccups become more serious when there are other signs, such as:

• Drooling

• Vomiting

• Retching

• Anorexia (low appetite)

• Lethargy

• Coughing

• Wheezing

• Hard swallowing

If your dog seems bothered or agitated by the hiccups, that can show you need to see the veterinarian.

If your dog is in pain or is not eating or drinking along with the hiccups, then a vet visit would be a good idea to make sure that your pup is healthy.

How To Get Rid of Dog Hiccups

Most cases of hiccups in dogs will go away on their own very quickly, especially if you can figure out and fix the underlying cause.

There are a few things you can try at home to help your dog with recurrent hiccups.

A cuddle or a soft belly rub can often distract your pup from their hiccups.

If they are eating or drinking, either take away the bowls or remove them from the food or water.

Gentle playtime or a short leisurely walk can also help stop hiccups. And as with people, a drink of water can help stop the hiccups, but ensure it is taken calmly and slowly.

Prevention of Dog Hiccups

If your dog is prone to hiccups, a few changes you can make at home might help.

Dogs that eat and drink too fast would benefit from using something to help them eat slower, such as a slow-down bowl, puzzle feeder, or snuffle mat.

You can also offer them smaller portions more often throughout the day to encourage your dog to slow down their eating.

Avoiding extreme temperatures and sudden diet changes can help decrease hiccups as well.

Ensure that there is not too much excitement going on while eating, especially with puppies, as this can cause hiccups and distract them from eating or even cause vomiting.