Hiccups in Dogs: Tricks to Fix Them in Seconds

Hiccups in dogs are, just as in humans, a physiological event that, in principle, has no clinical relevance at all. Only when they don't stop can we think there's an associated condition.

Normal hiccups, more common in puppies, don't cause the dog any discomfort and will stop spontaneously within a matter of minutes. But if it happens frequently, it doesn't hurt to follow some guidelines to manage it.

Why Do Dogs Get Hiccups?

Hiccups are the characteristic sound produced when an involuntary contraction occurs in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Causes of Hiccups in Dogs

Generally, whatever triggers hiccups isn't usually serious and goes away as quickly as it appeared. Among the most common causes, we find the following, more frequent in younger or more nervous dogs:

• Eating or drinking too quickly.
• Digestive disturbances.
• Nervousness or intense emotions, both positive and negative.

What to Do If the Dog Eats Fast?

In principle, to resolve this cause of hiccups, it will be enough not to let it eat too quickly. We can achieve this by splitting its ration into small portions spread across several meals a day. Likewise, we can give it water little by little if its problem is drinking too fast. Another idea is special feeding bowls.

We can offer food in these bowls, which have a raised surface. This way, the dog is forced to access it in small amounts. Interactive toys like the Kong, or any homemade variant of it, are another way to give food in small amounts. Dogs also eat fast out of hunger.

We can fix this by adjusting the ration, if that's the problem, or spreading it across several meals a day so it doesn't go so many hours with an empty stomach. It's also a good idea to check the quality of the food. Low-end foods may not cover nutritional needs. On the other hand, some diseases present with increased appetite and voraciousness.

How to Stop an Anxious Dog

Dogs can get excited, emotional, and worked up a lot in certain situations. One example is play, especially with other dogs, where they get the chance to run, jump, and interact. In these cases, hiccups can occur after swallowing air.

If we want to prevent it, we can try to distract it so it goes back to breathing normally. Keep in mind it can be hard to get it to listen if it's playing excitedly, off-leash, with another dog. We can save a toy or treat that it finds especially appealing for this situation, to get it to pay attention to us.

Solutions to Treat Hiccups in Dogs

Occasional hiccups resolve spontaneously on their own, without us needing to intervene. But if we notice our dog gets hiccups every time it eats or drinks quickly, we can indeed take measures to prevent it as much as possible. The same applies if its hiccups are due to intense emotion.

On the other hand, in cases where there's a digestive disturbance or any other condition, such as those affecting the nervous system, it's normal for us to notice other symptoms. If this is our dog's situation, we need to let the vet know. It's this professional who will diagnose the cause, an essential step before starting treatment.

On the other hand, if food-related anxiety persists, we should also see the clinic to rule out health problems presenting with increased appetite, or a failure in the diet we're giving our dog.

Recognizing Reverse Sneezing in Dogs

We highlight this condition since, in some cases, it could be confused with a hiccup fit. It's caused by a laryngospasm, or spasm of the glottis, although it's uncommon. It causes an episode matching the spasm. In it, the dog lets out a loud snorting sound caused by abrupt attempts to inhale.

This sound can repeat several times in a row and give the impression the dog is running out of breath. The cause is a temporary spasm of the muscles making up the larynx. It's believed to be due to a drop of mucus falling on the vocal cords. If we hear this noise and confirm it's not hiccups, we can try to help the dog.

We need to get it to swallow. To achieve this, it's enough to gently massage the neck, specifically the larynx area, below the jaw. If it doesn't stop, we need to see the vet, since it could be due to a foreign body lodged in the larynx. In that case, we're dealing with an emergency. The dog could end up collapsing.

Bibliography Carlson and Giffin. 2002. Manual práctico de veterinaria canina. Madrid. Editorial el Drac.