Is hiccups dangerous for your dog?
Your dog has hiccups and you're wondering if that's a bad thing? Here comes the all-clear: In the vast majority of cases hiccups in dogs just like in humans is not dangerous.
How do hiccups occur in dogs?
Hiccups are a reflex that can occur in almost all mammals. It is caused by an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is one of the most important muscles for breathing. It sits like a dome between the lungs and the abdominal organs and is controlled by the so-called phrenic nerve . An increased pressure on the diaphragm and the phrenic nerve, for example due to a very full stomach, can lead to hiccups.
The typical “hic” sound of hiccups occurs because the vocal cords close at the same time and even more pressure builds up. Usually, the hiccups disappear after a short time on their own.
By the way: According to current scientific knowledge, hiccups do not occur in reptiles, amphibians, or birds.
Why does my dog have hiccups?
Hiccups are triggered by spasms of the diaphragm, mostly due to an increased amount of air in the stomach and are completely harmless. But why does too much air actually get into the stomach? There are several reasons for this:
Eating too quickly
Most dog owners are probably familiar with this: As soon as you put the filled food bowl on the floor, the entire meal is practically inhaled within seconds. You can probably imagine that with such gulping, a lot of air is swallowed as well, which fills the stomach and can trigger hiccups.
Excitement and rapid breathing
Your four-legged friend greets his dog friends excitedly, is stressed while riding the train, or romps wildly in the park – all this excitement and the resulting faster breathing makes the occurrence of hiccups more likely.
Medical reasons
In the vast majority of cases, the causes of hiccups in dogs are just as harmless as in humans. However, if you notice your dog having hiccups unusually often or if it lasts particularly long or your dog shows other symptoms, you should promptly take your dog to your vet.
The following medical reasons can be the cause of hiccups:
Pain in the abdominal area, for example due to a →pancreatitis
Lungworms
Diaphragmatic hernia (abdominal organs partially or completely shift into the chest cavity)
Nerve inflammation (neuritis)
Hiccups in puppies
Hiccups occur relatively more often in puppies and young dogs. Puppies and young dogs are often still a bit clumsy when eating and swallow, especially when suckling milk, quite a lot of air. That's why hiccups are more common in young animals than in adult dogs. In puppies, it is usually just as harmless as in older dogs.
Tips to get rid of hiccups quickly
Hiccups usually last a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Even though it's harmless for your dog, of course we still want to help our pets if we can.
Here are some tips on how you can help your dog:
Drinking water
It can be helpful to offer your dog water. It's important that the water is not drunk too quickly as that could actually prolong the hiccups.
Distraction
You probably know this from yourself: When you have hiccups, it usually helps to focus on something else. Play with your dog indoors or go for a short walk – the main thing is some kind of →distraction. That way, you can usually get rid of your dog's hiccups quickly.
You should avoid using treats as a distraction for hiccups. Due to irregular breathing, there's a risk your dog could choke on the snacks. As soon as the hiccups are over, you can of course spoil your pet with treats again.
Find the perfect snack to reward your dog after surviving the hiccups!
The tastiest reward for your four-legged friend!
Cuddle time
Even a short cuddle can successfully distract your dog. The best way is to massage your four-legged friend on the chest when they have hiccups. This makes their breathing calmer and the hiccups usually go away faster.
A →dog bed is the perfect base for an extended cuddle session.
Prevention
If your dog tends to gulp down food and then often gets hiccups, try using an "anti-gulp food bowl" instead. These special bowls are designed so that dogs have to eat more slowly and excessive air swallowing from gulping can be avoided.
You can also feed your dog in small portions to help prevent hiccups. Our →delicious and healthy food gives your dog the ideal foundation for a long life.
What should you not do?
Scaring your dog
For humans, you often hear the tip to scare someone who has hiccups. Please do not do this to your dog. Your dog could become very afraid and lose trust in you. This doesn't do you or your dog any favors, so you should definitely avoid it.
Human medications
In human medicine, there are some medications that are supposed to help with hiccups. Please do not use these under any circumstances for your dog, as they are not suitable for animals.
