Causes of dog hiccups The respiratory anatomy of a dog is actually very similar to that of a human. Just like humans, they have a diaphragm that separates their chest space from their abdominal space, a smooth muscle that allows your dog to breathe without thinking. When the diaphragm contracts, your dog inhales, and when it relaxes, the dog exhales. So when a dog’s diaphragm spasms, it causes the body to suck in air quickly, causing the dog to make a “hiccup” sound as it breathes quickly through its mouth. Reverse sneezing can sometimes be confused with hiccups, but they are actually two completely different behaviors. Reverse sneezing occurs when your dog inhales air quickly and forcefully through his nose. This produces sounds that occur at faster intervals and are not the same as the “hic” sounds produced by a dog hiccupping. Hiccups are most common in puppies. They can occasionally be seen in older dogs and are less common in adult dogs. Believe it or not, the real purpose and cause of a dog’s hiccups is unknown. That being said, there are a few theories about what can cause hiccups in dogs.
Some reasons include: drinking water too fast, eating too fast, excitement and energetic games. If your dog drinks water or eats too quickly, they may be ingesting as much air as water and food. Some people think that all this air in your dog’s stomach is putting pressure on their diaphragm and causing hiccups. Loud playtime, especially with puppies, can cause participating dogs to breathe very quickly, which can trigger hiccups. Stress can also trigger hiccups, as panting is a coping mechanism for dogs in distress. It should be noted, however, that other “oral” behaviors, such as licking lips and yawning, are more common stress behaviors than burping. Treatment Most of the time, your dog’s hiccups are short-lived and self-limiting, meaning they go away on their own. However, if your puppy seems to be suffering from hiccups, there are a few things you can do to try to calm their diaphragm. You can try giving your dog a small amount of water. Just make sure they drink it slowly and calmly. You can also try gently massaging their chest area. This can help your dog calm down, especially if they relax their back completely, such as during belly rubs. Finally, if your dog is devouring their food and water, consider feeding several small meals a day instead of one or two. You can also use slow feeding bowls and puzzle feeders to help your dog slow down during mealtimes. Pay special attention to what you may have heard of giving your dog a spoonful of honey, maple syrup or Carroll syrup. It’s best not to, as many of these products contain a sweetener called xylitol, which is toxic to dogs and can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). These types of sugary syrups can also be harmful to diabetic animals. While giving your dog one of these substances may go well, it’s better to be safe than risk harming your pet.
When should you worry about your dog’s hiccups?
Dog hiccups can be benign if they happen occasionally and stop almost as quickly as they start. However, if your dog begins to experience regular, prolonged hiccups, especially when combined with other symptoms, you should consider consulting your veterinarian. Coughing, sneezing, and/or dyspnea/dyspnea accompanied by hiccups at rest may indicate a heart or respiratory problem. If you see vomiting or diarrhea, this may indicate a gastrointestinal problem, such as intestinal parasites. It’s cute to see hiccups in your dog, and in most cases, they’re not really a medical problem. So next time your dog starts hiccups, try patting them on the chest to help them through.
