Puppy Hiccups: Why They Happen and How to Help

What causes hiccups in puppies?

A hiccup happens when the diaphragm, the dome-shaped muscle below the lungs, contracts suddenly and the vocal cords snap shut, which makes the little "hic" sound. The AKC lists the common triggers in dogs: eating or drinking too fast, being tired, being excited, and being cold.

Puppies hit every one of those triggers several times a day. They gulp their meals, play hard, crash into sleep and are still learning to regulate their body temperature. Scientists do not know exactly why mammals hiccup; one idea is that it helps relieve gas or an upset stomach, and another is that it is a leftover reflex from development before birth.

Are puppy hiccups normal?

Yes. Many owners notice hiccups after meals or during naps, and some puppies hiccup almost daily. The rhythmic jerk of the chest can look dramatic in a small puppy, but a puppy with ordinary hiccups is otherwise alert, breathing comfortably between hiccups, and happy to carry on with what they were doing.

Hiccups usually become less frequent as dogs grow up, and many adult dogs rarely have them. If an older dog starts hiccuping often when it never used to, that is worth mentioning to your vet at the next visit.

Simple ways to help a hiccuping puppy

Most bouts stop on their own within a few minutes, so often the best move is to wait calmly. If you want to help, try encouraging slow drinking of a little fresh water, or a gentle belly rub while your puppy lies on its back, which can settle the breathing rhythm. A short, calm walk can also help reset things.

Skip the human folk remedies. Startling or scaring a puppy, pulling the tongue, or giving sugar, honey or anything sweet is not a good idea, and the AKC notes that scaring a dog may distress it more than the hiccups do. Never give any human medicine for hiccups.

Preventing frequent hiccups

If your puppy hiccups after most meals, slow them down. Split the daily food into more, smaller meals at regular times, use a slow-feeder bowl or a puzzle feeder, or scatter kibble on a clean mat so your puppy has to sniff it out. Offer water in a bowl they can lap from comfortably rather than gulping after a hot play session.

Build calm-down time into the day. A puppy who goes straight from a wild play session to a meal is more likely to gulp air. A few minutes of quiet first, plus a warm, draft-free place to nap, tends to mean fewer hiccups.

Hiccups or something else?

Reverse sneezing is often mistaken for hiccups. It sounds like a loud, honking snort as a dog pulls air in sharply through the nose, often with the neck stretched out, and usually lasts less than a minute. It is common in small and short-nosed breeds and is usually harmless, but describe or film it for your vet.

Coughing, gagging, retching, or noisy breathing that continues between episodes are different again. In a puppy, a cough can point to kennel cough or another respiratory infection, especially after time around other dogs, and is a reason to call your vet.

When to call the vet

Call your vet if hiccups last more than a few hours, if they change into a wheezing or rattling sound, or if your puppy is struggling to breathe, breathing fast at rest, or seems distressed. The AKC notes that long-lasting hiccups can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem.

Also call if hiccups come with vomiting, a refusal to eat, coughing, lethargy or a swollen belly. Taking a short video on your phone is a useful way to show your vet exactly what you are seeing.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.