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Have you noticed your dog making an odd, rhythmic sound, almost like a tiny bark? Well, you have witnessed one of the mysteries of the canine world: dog hiccups.
We often see hiccups in humans, but when our pets experience this behavior, we are left wondering, is it normal?
Dog hiccups might be cute and comical at times, but some pet owners look at them as cause for concern. Let’s dive in as we explore what hiccups are and how they impact your dog, along with the warning signs for when dog hiccups might warrant a vet visit.
Do Dogs Get Hiccups?
Yes, dogs hiccup. Like humans, all mammals get the hiccups. They are caused by a spasm or contraction of the diaphragm muscle. Most of the time, the diaphragm moves smoothly as we inhale and exhale. Yet, when it contracts suddenly, the opening of the airway causes the classic “hic” sound we hear when a person hiccups.
All dogs can get hiccups, but pets that eat and drink too quickly are more prone to them because they swallow air while eating their meal.
What about Small Puppies?
Small puppies are more prone to hiccups compared to adult dogs. At some point, all puppies experience hiccups because the digestive system is still developing, and from being cold, tired, or feeling excited.
Why Do Dogs Get Hiccups?
No one knows for sure why humans and dogs get hiccups, although there are many theories. One theory suggests that hiccups help remove air from the stomach, especially in newborn mammals. Let’s explore all possible reasons why dogs get hiccups.
Eating or Drinking Too Quickly
When dogs eat or drink too quickly, they may swallow more air. Abrupt air intake causes stomach distention and irritates the diaphragm. As a result, the muscle tightens and dogs experience hiccups.
Overly hot or cold foods can also irritate the esophagus and cause hiccups. To prevent this, feed your dog a meal at normal temperature, and encourage him to eat it at proper speed. You can also try some lick mats to add some enrichment to meal time and slow down your dog’s eating speed, but more on that later!
Spicy Food
Spicy food contains capsaicin, a compound that can cause an unpleasant burning sensation. Spicy foods stimulate neuron activity in the diaphragm, resulting in frequent contractions. While some dogs are more spice-tolerant, you should never give spicy food to your pet, including foods containing hot sauce or other spicy seasonings.
Stress or Excitement
Both stress and overexcitement can cause hiccups in canines because their heart rate and cortisol levels go up. They take shorter and shallower breaths, irritating the diaphragm in the process. Due to excitement and stress, dogs breathe through their chest, not their lungs.
Stomach Gas
In some cases, hiccups can be beneficial to dogs. When puppies suffer from stomach gas, hiccups are a way for the body to expel extra gas.
How to Help Your Dog
You have probably heard some of the old wives’ tales for relieving hiccups, like giving someone a fright. But, there is no need to scare your furry friend. Often, hiccups will go away as soon as they come and resolve on their own. However, there are some tested methods to help relieve your pup of their hiccups. Here are a few:
Provide Water
Like humans, dogs will benefit from drinking water. It helps calm the hiccups, but you have to encourage your dog to drink slowly, not gulp it down.
Take a Walk
A small and gentle walk will distract your puppy enough to resolve hiccups. Quick walks also encourage proper breathing and calm down your pet.
Gentle Massage
Pet owners who have cuddly dogs can always resort to a gentle chest massage. Give your pet a gentle belly rub to calm its breathing.
What You Shouldn’t Do
Despite many old wives’ tales offering ways to reduce hiccups, you can never know whether they work. Avoid these techniques:
See also
- Do not scare your dog.
- Do not pull his/her tongue.
- Don’t try to put your fingers in their ears.
- Do not try to hold your dog upside down.
Can You Prevent Hiccups?
Often, hiccups are the result of quick eating or drinking water. The good news is that you can change this behavior.
Puzzle Toys
One way to prevent gulping down food and water is to use puzzle toys for feeding or slow-feeding dog bowls. Both are designed to prevent your dog from gulping down food.
Hand-feeding
You can try to hand-feed your dog. This way, you control the amount of food he eats and the speed at which he eats. Hand-feeding is also a great way to improve the bond between a dog and its owner. Reward your dog with food for proper behavior, and you can do some obedience training.
The Difference Between Hiccups and Breathing Issues
Hiccups are often a harmless, quirky behavior. Yet, sometimes, there might be an underlying issue that causes hiccups. If your dog is coughing, hacking, or making choking sounds, you should check for some breathing issues. Often, pet parents mistake respiratory noises like sneezing, coughing, and wheezing for hiccups. Here are other signs that signal something worse than hiccups:
- Snoring when sleeping.
- Making snorting noises.
- Collapsing or fainting after exercise.
- Gagging or vomiting.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Pale or blue-tinged gums.
- Breathing noisily.
- Tiring during exercise.
If you notice any of the signs, check with your vet as soon as possible.
Final Words
Dog hiccups are often a harmless quirk and will go away as quickly as they came. Yet, you should be careful and make sure there are no underlying issues. As with other unusual behaviors, you should be able to tell the difference between what is normal and adorable, and what is troublesome.
