Dog Hiccups: Why Puppies and Dogs Get Them

Why Does My Dog Get Hiccups?

No one fully knows why mammals hiccup. One idea is that it's a leftover reflex from development in the womb.^3,1 In dogs, common triggers include:^4,2,1,7

• Eating or drinking too fast, which also means swallowing air
• Eating a big meal
• Excitement, rough play or stress
• Breathing in an irritant, or a sudden change in temperature

Puppy Hiccups

Puppies hiccup much more than adult dogs, probably because their muscles and nerves are still developing, they gulp air while eating and playing, and they get excited easily. Puppies even hiccup in the womb.^1,2,6,3 Many puppies hiccup when they're tired, cold, excited or asleep.^1,3 Hiccups usually become much less frequent as a puppy grows up.^6,8 Puppy hiccups are rarely a concern unless they come with any of the warning signs above.¹

How Long Do Dog Hiccups Last?

Most bouts last from a few seconds to a few minutes.^1,2,7 Vets differ on when hiccups have gone on too long, but a bout lasting more than a few hours, or hiccups that start happening often in an adult dog, are worth a call to your vet.^1,3,6

How to Help a Dog With Hiccups

There's no proven treatment, and most bouts stop on their own. These simple steps are low-risk, although none has been tested in studies:^6,4

• Help your dog calm down and relax.^4,2
• Offer a little water and let your dog drink slowly.^2,3
• For dogs that hiccup after meals, use a slow-feeder or puzzle bowl, or feed smaller meals more often.^4,7
• A gentle rub of the chest or belly may soothe your dog, though there's no evidence it stops hiccups.^4,14

What not to do: don't scare your dog, pull the tongue, hold your dog upside down or put fingers in the ears.^4,3 Never give food or water while your dog is lying on its back, because it could be inhaled.¹ Skip sugar, honey or syrup remedies, which are untested.⁶

Is It Really Hiccups?

A few other things can look or sound like hiccups. Filming an episode on your phone can help your vet tell them apart.⁶

• Reverse sneezing: loud, rapid snorting as the dog pulls air in through the nose, usually standing still with the head and neck stretched out. It lasts seconds to about a minute and is usually harmless. See reverse sneezing in dogs.¹⁵
• Choking: loud coughing, gagging, pawing at the mouth and obvious distress. This is an emergency.⁹
• Coughing or gagging, which can come from airway disease or reflux. See dog cough.^6,4
• Breathing problems, such as noisy breathing, snorting in flat-faced breeds, or fast, hard breathing. See dog breathing fast.^4,16
• Some types of seizures that cause rhythmic jerking can rarely be mistaken for hiccups.^6,8 See seizures in dogs.

Can Hiccups Be a Sign of Something Serious?

Rarely. Vet writers mention stomach upset or reflux, respiratory disease, heatstroke and, very rarely, problems in the chest such as tumors or a hernia of the diaphragm as possible causes of frequent or long-lasting hiccups, but these links haven't been studied in dogs.^1,2,4,8 If your dog has been in the heat and is panting heavily, drooling or wobbly, treat it as a possible heatstroke emergency and see dog breathing fast.^17,18 In people, long-lasting hiccups can come from nerve, stomach, chest or mineral problems, but that doesn't necessarily apply to dogs.^5,6 If your vet is concerned, they may suggest chest or belly X-rays.⁶

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dog hiccups normal?

Yes, especially in puppies. Most bouts are harmless and stop within minutes.

How do I get rid of my dog's hiccups?

Help your dog relax and offer a little water. Most bouts stop on their own.

Why does my puppy get hiccups so much?

Puppies gulp air, get excited easily and are still developing, so they hiccup more. It usually eases as they grow.

Why does my dog get hiccups after eating?

Eating fast and swallowing air are common triggers. A slow-feeder bowl or smaller meals may help.

When should I worry about my dog's hiccups?

Call your vet if they last more than a few hours, happen often in an adult dog, or come with coughing, drooling, vomiting or lethargy. Go to an emergency vet now if your dog is struggling to breathe, pawing at the mouth or has white, blue or gray gums.