Why Your Dog Is Hiccuping, And What To Do About It

Have you ever heard your dog hiccup and got a little worried that there might be something wrong with them? We know we humans burp if we eat or drink too quickly, but why do dogs burp? We explain all the possible reasons here and tell you when you should and shouldn’t be worried about your dog.

What Do Dog Hiccups Sound Like?

According to veterinary experts, your pooch may hiccup if he wolfs down a tasty breakfast, drinks coconut water quickly, engages in fairly vigorous recreational activity, or smells something that could irritate his airways. It is a sudden and repeated spasm of the diaphragm, the thin muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. As the diaphragm contracts, the body makes that distinctive “hic” sound we’re all familiar with.

A dog may also experience silent hiccups, where you see repeated spasms of the diaphragm without making a sound. Some dogs hiccup very loudly at the same time. If you’re not sure if your dog is hiccupping, check out some YouTube videos on dog hiccups so you know what to look out for.

It’s important not to confuse retching or even seizures with hiccups. Retching usually means your dog is throwing up, and a seizure is a medical emergency. Dogs can also sneeze in reverse, and inexperienced dog owners may confuse these with hiccups.

Why Do Dogs Hiccup?

It’s normal for dogs to hiccup, and most dogs will hiccup at some point. Usually, this is nothing to worry about and passes quickly. Here, we detail the most common causes of hiccups, and how you can avoid them in the future.

eat too fast

Some dogs are just greedy and will gobble down food as fast as they can. Many Labrador Retrievers have this problem, but they’re not the only breed where it happens. When dogs eat too quickly, they swallow a lot of air, which swells their intestines. This compresses the diaphragm and triggers hiccups. The medical term for swallowing large amounts of air is aerophagia. While hiccups may not be a serious medical problem, some other consequences of eating too quickly are. These include choking and bloating.

prevention: Put the food in the slow feeding bowl and let your dog eat slowly. You can also feed them kibble using an interactive toy. Some owners hand feed their dogs when training them. This is a very effective way to build engagement and slow down eating.

Some dogs eat too quickly because they have conditions such as Cushing’s disease that require veterinary treatment. They may also not be satisfied with the food you give them, so consider switching to a high-quality commercial dog food that will keep them full longer.

drink too fast

Likewise, drinking too quickly can cause excess air in the abdomen, compressing the diaphragm. This can cause hiccups.

prevention: Make sure your dog has a constant supply of fresh water so they’re never thirsty enough to need a gulp. Some dogs don’t like plastic bowls, so you might want to try stainless steel dog water bowls or even water fountains. Collapsible travel bowls are great when you’re on the go.

Excessive thirst in dogs can be a sign of Cushing’s disease, but it can also be a sign of diabetes or liver disease, which require veterinary attention. If your dog has diabetes, you may need a special diabetic dog food. Also, dry food can make dogs thirstier. If you are concerned about your dog becoming dehydrated, you can switch them to a wet food.

eating hot or cold food

Dogs like their food to be around body temperature. They’re not always wise enough to know not to eat something too hot or too cold, though. Extreme temperatures can irritate the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus) and the nerves around it. This can trigger hiccups.

prevention: Provide dog food that is roughly the same as body temperature. If you’re giving them cooked food, let it cool before putting it in their bowl. Food stored in the refrigerator should be allowed to come to room temperature before your dog eats it.

hyperarousal and anxiety

Dogs that are stressed, anxious, or overly excited have faster heart rates. They also contain higher levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone. Cortisol irritates the diaphragm and makes it spasm. An excited dog also breathes rapidly using only the chest muscles and not the diaphragm. This increases the chance of hiccups.

prevention: Identify what’s causing your dog’s stress. If it’s due to being alone, you can distract them with toys. You can also try some calming foods to make them feel more relaxed. Some dogs need to be treated by a veterinarian for anxiety.

excess gas in the stomach

Some diets can cause a lot of gas in the stomach. Does your dog get angry easily? This could be the cause of the hiccups. They are a way for the body to get rid of excess air. If your dog also burps and gasses frequently, this could be the cause.

prevention: You may need to change their diet. Perhaps their food sensitivities make them gassy? Foods designed to support delicate digestion may help.

eat spicy food

Dogs who eat spicy food often burp. This is usually due to gas production and irritation of the stomach. Spicy foods can also cause the dog to gulp, which can cause hiccups. Any food that contains peppers may contain capsaicin, which increases nerve activity in the diaphragm and triggers spasms.

prevention: Do not feed human food to your dog unless you are sure it is safe. There are many human foods, including chocolate, that can cause adverse reactions in dogs, some of which can be fatal.

medical treatement

If you notice your dog hiccupping after your veterinarian prescribed some medication, there’s a good chance this is the cause. Several common veterinary drugs, including antibiotics for infections, corticosteroids, and benzodiazepines, can trigger hiccups.

prevention: Never stop giving your dog prescription medication without first talking to your veterinarian. If hiccups seem excessive, talk to your veterinarian.

disease and disease

Hiccups are rarely caused by a medical condition, but it can happen. Diseases affecting the lungs and chest can cause hiccups, including bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and respiratory defects. They may also be a sign of pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart) or a tumor of the esophagus (oesophagus). They can even be triggered if your dog swallows a foreign object (such as a sock) and gets it lodged in the stomach. Dogs with heat stroke may also hiccup.

prevention: These conditions require treatment from your veterinarian.

How to stop a dog from hiccupping

If your dog’s hiccups last longer than a few minutes and you want to help them stop, here are a few things you can try:

calm down your dog

Try to calm your dog down and regulate its breathing. You can do this by rubbing your chest or tickling your belly, then take them to a quiet place. You should also speak to them in a slow, calm and reassuring tone.

encourage them to swallow

As in humans, the swallowing reflex interrupts hiccup spasms and restores the diaphragm to normal. You can encourage it by gently massaging your dog’s throat and chest.

drinking water

Drinking a small amount of room temperature water can help. Give them small amounts of water at a time and try to avoid frantic swallowing.

sweet liquid

Adding a small amount of honey or maple syrup to some of the water will encourage your dog to drink and distract them. This can disturb the hiccups. However, never give them sugar-free products that contain xylitol, as this is toxic to dogs.

What Not to Do When Your Dog Hiccups

If your dog burps and is lying on their back, don’t give them food or liquids. They can suck out (inhale) them during hiccup spasms. Food/fluid can end up in the lungs causing inflammation and breathing problems.

When a dog burps, don’t try to feed it. If they have hiccups while swallowing, they may choke or aspirate food.

When to Worry About Dog Hiccups

Most of the time, dog hiccups are nothing to worry about and can be considered a silly and funny thing your dog does. Rarely, they could be a sign of something wrong. The following are warning signs that advise you to contact your veterinarian. It’s a good idea to video your dog’s hiccups and any other symptoms in case they stop by the time you go to the vet.

• The hiccup lasts for about an hour
• signs your dog is in pain
• hiccups when your dog refuses to eat or drink
• hiccups with excessive drooling
• vomiting and hiccups
• Hiccups with wheezing and difficulty breathing
• hiccups in dogs with other underlying health conditions, such as diabetes

Next:

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Do hiccups upset your dog?

Obviously, we can’t ask our dog if hiccups are uncomfortable or disturbing, so we can only tell by looking. Dogs usually remain calm when they burp and don’t show any other signs of discomfort or pain. They just seem to accept them as part of life and wait for them to pass.

If your dog is showing signs of distress when hiccupping, there is a more serious underlying cause and you should contact your veterinarian for advice.

Do Puppies Hiccup?

Yes! In fact, puppies burp more often than adult dogs—and they burp every day! There are several reasons for this. Their bodies are immature, so their muscles are weaker but still growing. This could mean they are more likely to have cramps. Also, puppies run more, and when they do, they draw more air into their stomachs, which can trigger hiccups. You may notice your puppy hiccups more when excited, cold or overtired. Overexcited and overtired pups can benefit from a “pause” in the cage.

If your pup is also lethargic, coughing, wheezing or drooling, you must take them to the veterinarian immediately.

Do Dogs Hiccup When They’re Scared?

Yes, fear and excitement can stress a dog, which can trigger hiccups. You can tell by your dog’s body language that they are scared. If possible, keep them away from anything that scares them. Then, gradually, you can use some exposure training to get them used to whatever triggers their fear. It may thunder (article link), other dogs or vehicles. You can do this using positive reinforcement training methods.

Why do dogs hiccup at night?

Tired dogs take in more air when they eat, so this could be the cause of nighttime hiccups. Nocturnal hiccups are most common in puppies and occur most often during REM sleep — the deepest stage of sleep. During REM sleep, dogs are most relaxed and breathe deeply. This can trigger hiccups by irritating the diaphragm. In addition to hiccups, you may notice your dog twitching his eyes and limbs.

If hiccups persist for a long time or are accompanied by other symptoms, you should consult your veterinarian.

How Long Do Dog Hiccups Last?

Dog hiccups don’t last that long. You can expect them to stop within a few minutes, after which your dog should behave normally. Sometimes a dog’s hiccups can last up to 10 or 15 minutes. If they persist for more than an hour, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.