Key takeaways:
Dogs can get hiccups, and they sound very similar to human ones.
Most dog hiccups result from eating or drinking too quickly, being excited, exercising, being exposed to sudden changes in temperature, or breathing in irritants.
In rare cases, chronic hiccups can signal a more serious medical condition, such as heart issues, pneumonia, stroke, or breathing problems.
We have all experienced the occasional annoying or embarrassing hiccups. But did you know that dogs and puppies also get them? Scientists aren’t sure why dogs and humans have hiccups, but hiccups are usually not something to worry about.
Here’s what you need to know about dog hiccups, from why your dog gets them to when to be concerned.
Can dogs get hiccups?
Yes, it is normal for dogs to get hiccups. Dog hiccups are very similar to human hiccups, the involuntary spasms of the diaphragm that make it seem like we're gasping for air.
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The hiccup is an uncontrolled spasm in the diaphragm, a muscle under the lungs, that rises and falls as your dog inhales and exhales. The diaphragm also helps pull air into the lungs and push it back out again. When the diaphragm spasms, it causes the glottis (the opening between the vocal cords) to close abruptly, resulting in the “hic” sound.
What causes dogs to hiccup?
Our canine companions often get hiccups for many of the same reasons people do, such as:
Eating or drinking too quickly
Overeating
Becoming excited
Swallowing air
Overexerting
Breathing in irritants
Experiencing sudden changes in temperature
While all dogs can get hiccups, it is especially common for puppies to get them. Puppies’ digestive systems are still developing, and they tend to also get hiccups from:
Getting cold
Getting tired
Feeling excited
There’s also some research indicating that dogs may experience hiccups related to certain medications.
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Should you be worried if your dog is hiccuping?
Generally, dog hiccups aren’t anything to be particularly worried about. Most hiccuping spells result from eating or drinking too quickly, exercising, or getting overexcited.
However, you should bring your dog for a visit with your veterinarian if:
Your dog’s hiccups do not go away on their own.
The hiccups last for more than several hours.
Your dog is also drooling.
The hiccups prevent your dog from eating or drinking.
Your dog’s breathing is irregular.
Your dog’s breathing is labored, or they are short of breath or wheezing.
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What if your dog’s hiccups won’t go away?
In rare cases, hiccups that won't go away may indicate that your dog has a more serious health condition, such as pneumonia or Addison’s disease.
If your dog is coughing, hacking, or constantly making sounds like they are choking on something, these can be signs of other breathing issues.
Look for these additional signs that may mean your dog is having breathing issues rather than simply a bout of hiccups:
Breathing noisily
Making snorting noises, particularly with exercise
Tiring during exercise
Collapsing or fainting after exercise
Gagging or vomiting
If you notice any of these symptoms, bring your pup to the veterinarian.
How can you help a dog with hiccups?
Dog hiccups usually clear up quickly on their own. However, you can do a few things that may help your dog.
Give your dog water
As with humans, you can offer your dog water. A drink of water can help calm the hiccups. Keep in mind that you want to encourage your dog to drink slowly rather than gulping it all down.
Slow your dog’s eating
If your dog gobbles up all their food quickly, this can lead to hiccups, so encouraging them to eat slowly is also important. Look for puzzle dishes or other food dishes that slow down rapid eaters. Wait until your pup has stopped hiccuping before feeding them so they don’t accidentally choke on small bites of food.
Calm your pup
Helping your dog, particularly a hiccuping puppy, to relax with a gentle belly rub can calm their breathing.
Avoid common myths
Despite many wives’ tales claiming ways to eliminate human hiccups, no one knows whether they work. And you shouldn’t even try these techniques with your dog:
Do not try to scare the hiccups out of your dog.
Don’t pull their tongue.
Do not try to hold them upside down.
Don’t put your fingers in their ears.
Do not try any other similar tricks to get rid of your dog’s hiccups.
Frequently asked questions
A reverse hiccup in dogs is also called a reverse sneeze. It happens when the back of a dog’s throat becomes irritated and spasms. Reverse hiccups typically won’t harm your dog and can often be relieved with a massage to their throat.
Hiccups and seizures in dogs do not share symptoms or causes. Signs of a seizure include circling, a snapping jaw, and vomiting. Causes include brain tumors, low blood sugar, and epilepsy. Hiccups in dogs are like hiccups in humans — a quick contraction in the throat that’s usually harmless.
A reverse hiccup in dogs is also called a reverse sneeze. It happens when the back of a dog’s throat becomes irritated and spasms. Reverse hiccups typically won’t harm your dog and can often be relieved with a massage to their throat.
Hiccups and seizures in dogs do not share symptoms or causes. Signs of a seizure include circling, a snapping jaw, and vomiting. Causes include brain tumors, low blood sugar, and epilepsy. Hiccups in dogs are like hiccups in humans — a quick contraction in the throat that’s usually harmless.
The bottom line
Can dogs get hiccups? Yes, they can! Dogs get hiccups just like humans do. We don’t fully understand why dogs (or humans) get hiccups. However, they generally result from eating or drinking too quickly, swallowing air, getting overexcited, or inhaling irritants. Generally, canine hiccups go away on their own and are not cause for concern. However, if your dog’s hiccups do not clear up and you notice other symptoms, it is worth a trip to the veterinarian to rule out other conditions.
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References
Bloom, H. (2022). Maggie’s mysterious hiccups. Clinicopathologic Conference, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University.
Lundgren, B. (2024). Reverse sneezing in dogs. VetzInsight.
Quiroga, J. B., et al. (2016). Hiccups: A common problem with some unusual causes and cures. British Journal of General Practice.
Vettorato, E., et al. (2016). Hiccup-like response in a dog anesthetized with isoflurane. Case Reports in Veterinary Medicine.
Waddle, J. R., et al. (1992). Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia in a dog. The Canadian Veterinary Journal.
