Dog hiccups are cute to watch—that little high-pitched squeak sounds just like our hiccups and reminds us of how similar we can be to our pets. However, there may be times when those hiccups worry you, such as in cases where they don’t go away quickly or when your dog seems distressed. Learn what causes hiccups in dogs, how to get rid of dog hiccups, and when to contact your veterinarian.
Why Do Dogs Get Hiccups?
Hiccups are caused by a contraction of the muscles used in breathing, specifically the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, which sit between the ribs. When these muscles contract suddenly, air is pulled into the lungs and the vocal cords close, causing the sound we call a hiccup.
Dog hiccups are spontaneous and usually resolve on their own within a few minutes. They may occur for many reasons, but often they're related to factors that expand the stomach or abdomen.
- Eating or drinking too quickly
- A large meal or excessive water intake
- Excitement or stress
- Excess gas
- Esophageal reflux
- Pregnancy
- Enlarged abdominal organ
- Abdominal tumor
- Nervous system dysfunction
Less commonly, hiccups may occur due to conditions that irritate or damage the regions of the brain or nerves responsible for contractions of the diaphragm and other related muscles. Examples of this include injuries or tumors in the brain or brainstem, injuries to the spinal cord (especially in the region of the neck), and damage to the nerves that stimulate the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
One possible but unusual cause is the virus distemper encephalitis, which can cause myoclonus (involuntary spontaneous muscle contractions or spasms). Distemper is one of the viruses dogs are commonly vaccinated against in their core vaccine series.
How to Get Rid of Dog Hiccups
Dog hiccups often resolve quickly and are not typically a cause for concern. Most of us have probably heard some funny remedies for hiccups over the years, but these are largely unproven and unlikely to be effective.
If your dog is breathing heavily or panting hard, try to calm their breathing by helping them relax. You can also offer small amounts of water and encourage your dog to drink slowly. Monitor your dog for any signs of illness.
Warning
Do not attempt to stop hiccups by scaring your dog, blocking their breathing, or pulling on their tongue. Methods like this can hurt your dog and may even lead a dog to bite.
When to See a Vet for Dog Hiccups
Contact your vet about your dog's hiccups if the following situations occur:
- Hiccups that last more than 24 hours straight
- Recurrent bouts of hiccups
- Labored breathing
- Signs the dog is distressed
- Other signs of illness, such as vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, lethargy, seizure-like activity, or other visible muscle twitching
Treatment will vary depending on your vet’s findings and diagnosis. Since hiccups could be a symptom of another underlying problem, the treatment will be aimed at resolving the primary problem. Additional diagnostic tests such as chest X-rays, abdominal ultrasound, and bloodwork may be part of the work-up your vet recommends.
If the vet thinks the hiccups are caused by irritation of the esophagus or stomach, medication can often be prescribed to help resolve this. If medication is unsuccessful, endoscopy may be recommended to take a closer look at the walls of the esophagus and stomach. Evaluation by a veterinary neurologist may be considered if your dog has neurological symptoms. Other conditions may also be treated with medications. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary.
How To Prevent Hiccups in Dogs
Since hiccups can be a normal occurrence in many cases, there is usually nothing that needs to be done to prevent them. However, pet parents can take some steps to prevent dog hiccups:
Slow Down Eating and Drinking
For dogs that seem to get hiccups often, especially after eating or drinking, it may be a good idea to use some techniques to slow them down. There are special bowls and treat dispensers that make your dog work a little harder for their food. This keeps them from scarfing down all their food too quickly. Water can be offered in smaller quantities or with an automatic dispenser to prevent your dog from drinking too much too quickly.
Keep Your Dog Healthy
Some of the more unusual causes of hiccups are difficult to prevent since they are caused by spontaneous disease. Keep your dog healthy by providing proper nutrition, exercise, annual veterinary exams, and routine vaccinations to prevent serious illnesses such as distemper encephalitis.
In breeds that may be at risk for neck and back injuries, such as the beagle, dachshund, shih tzu, Pekingese, Yorkie, and Chihuahua, make sure to take precautions to prevent injury. This includes using a harness instead of a neck lead to prevent pulling on their necks, and to train them not to jump on and off the furniture to prevent those high-impact landings.
Luckily for most dogs, hiccups are just a fleeting nuisance and tend to go away quickly. You may even want to record a quick video of those cute little squeaks before they’re gone for good.