Is hiccuping dangerous for your dog?
Your dog has hiccups and you're wondering if that's bad? Here comes the good news: In most cases, hiccups in dogs are just like in humans not dangerous.
How do hiccups occur in dogs?
Hiccups are a reflex that can occur in almost all mammals. They are caused by an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is one of the most important muscles for breathing. It lies 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, such as from a heavily filled stomach, can lead to hiccups.
The typical "hick" sound of hiccups occurs because the vocal cords close simultaneously, creating even more pressure. Usually, hiccups disappear on their own after a short time.
By the way: According to current scientific findings, hiccups do not occur in reptiles, amphibians, or birds.
Why does my dog have hiccups?
Hiccups are triggered by the contraction of the diaphragm, mostly due to an increased amount of air in the stomach and are completely harmless. But why does too much air get into the stomach? There are several reasons for this:
Eating too quickly
Most dog owners are likely familiar with this from their four-legged friends: As soon as the filled food bowl is placed on the floor, the entire meal is practically inhaled within seconds. You can probably imagine that in such gobbling, a lot of air is swallowed, filling the stomach and potentially causing hiccups.
Excitement and rapid breathing
Your four-legged friend excitedly greets his dog friends, is stressed while traveling by train, or is running wild in the park - all this excitement and the resulting faster breathing promote the occurrence of hiccups.
Medical reasons
In most cases, the causes of hiccups in dogs are just as harmless as in humans. However, if you notice hiccups in your furry friend unusually often, if they last particularly long, or if your furry friend shows other symptoms, you should promptly take your dog to your veterinarian.
The following medical reasons can be the cause of hiccups:
- → Poisoning
- Abdominal pain, for example from → 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 nursing, relatively a lot of air. That's why hiccups are more common in young animals than in adult dogs. They are usually just as harmless in puppies as in older four-legged friends.
Tips to quickly get rid of hiccups
Hiccups usually last a few seconds to a few minutes. Even though it is harmless for your furry friend, we naturally want to help our loved ones in some way.
Here are some tips on how you can help your furry friend:
Drinking water
It can be helpful if you offer your dog water. It's important that the water is not drunk too quickly. This could actually prolong the hiccups.
Distraction
You probably know this from your own experience: When you have hiccups, it usually helps to focus on something else. Play with your four-legged friend in the house or take a short walk - the main thing is some kind of →distraction. This can usually quickly resolve your dog's hiccups.
You should avoid using treats as a distraction during hiccups. Due to irregular breathing, there is a risk that your furry friend could choke on the snacks. Once the hiccups are over, you can of course spoil your beloved pet with treats again.
Find the perfect snack to reward your furry friend after overcoming hiccups!
The tastiest reward for your four-legged friend!
Petting
Even with a short petting session, you can successfully distract your dog. It's best to massage your four-legged friend on the chest during hiccups. This will help calm the breathing and the hiccups will subside more quickly.
A →dog bed is the perfect place for an extensive petting session.
Prevention
If your dog tends to gulp while eating and then often has hiccups, try using an "anti-gulping bowl." These special bowls are designed so that furry friends have to eat more slowly and excessive air swallowing from gulping can be avoided.
Additionally, you can feed your furry friend in small portions to also prevent hiccups. Our →delicious and healthy food provides your furry friend with the ideal foundation for a long life.
What should you not do?
Scare your dog
For us humans, there is often a tip to scare those plagued by hiccups. Please do not do this to your dog. Your furry friend can become very scared from being startled and could lose trust in you. This does neither you nor your dog any favors, and you should refrain from it.
Human medications
In human medicine, there are some medications that are said to help with hiccups. Please do not use these for your dog, as they are not suitable for animals.
