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Hiccups are normal for humans, but what about for dogs? As it turns out, dog hiccups are perfectly normal, and here鈥檚 what to know about them.
What Causes Hiccups in Dogs?
Just like in humans, a spasm in the diaphragm (the muscle under the lungs) causes dog hiccups. The spasm causes the glottis (the opening between the vocal cords) to close abruptly. This results in a 鈥渉ic鈥� sound. Puppies will sometimes get hiccups after eating or drinking too fast, when they are tired, when they are very excited, or when they鈥檙e too cold.
Scientists don鈥檛 actually know why humans, dogs, and other mammals hiccup. One theory is that hiccups are your puppy鈥檚 way of relieving gas or an upset stomach.
Another theory is that hiccups are a leftover from when we were developing in utero. Researchers have documented in many mammalian species. It鈥檚 possible that hiccuping in the womb is a way of test-driving the breathing muscles.
This theory might explain why dog hiccups are much more common in puppies than in adult dogs. As your puppy gets older, they will probably hiccup less frequently, or not at all.
How Can You Get Rid of Dog Hiccups?
Dog hiccups usually go away on their own. There are, of course, many myths about how to get rid of human hiccups, such as holding your breath, pulling on your tongue, or being scared. But no one knows whether these really work.
There鈥檚 no point in trying to scare your dog or pull their tongue to get their hiccups to go away. After all, these behaviors will probably bother them more than dog hiccups.
Here are three things that you can do that may help with dog hiccups:
Calm Irregular Breathing
Help your dog鈥檚 breathing pattern become more steady and rhythmic. If you get your dog to lie down on their back and rub their stomach, the hiccups may decrease.
Encourage Them to Drink Water
Like with humans, drinking water can assist with hiccups. Just make sure that your dog drinks, whether it鈥檚 from a or a , calmly and slowly.
Help Them Eat at a Slower Pace
Hiccups can occur if your dog is eating too fast. Try smaller portions at a time. You can also try a , which is designed to help dogs eat meals more slowly.
What if Dog Hiccups Don鈥檛 Go Away?
If your dog has hiccups for more than a few hours 鈥� or if your dog鈥檚 hiccups change to a wheezing sound or they cause irregular or difficult breathing 鈥� it鈥檚 a good idea to take them to the vet. Long-lasting hiccups could be a symptom of a more serious problem.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.