Key Takeaways
- What Do Puppy Hiccups Sound Like?
- What Causes Puppy Hiccups?
- Can You Stop Puppy Hiccups?
- Dogs & Puppies
- Dog Health Care
- Puppy Health & Care
Karen is a non-partisan pet lover, having raised dogs, cats, canaries, horses, donkeys, chickens, and tropical fish. She writes about gardening, rural life, and, of course, her two precocious Jack Russell terriers (Pez and Dash), Labrador Retriever (Pilot), and her 35-year-old quarter horse (Yukon).
- What Do Puppy Hiccups Sound Like?
- Causes of Puppy Hiccups
- Stopping Puppy Hiccups
- Do Puppy Hiccups Hurt?
- When to Call the Vet
The sight and sound of puppy hiccups can cause concern if you're a new dog parent, but there's no need to worry. Hiccups are a common occurrence in most mammals: from puppies to humans. While they can be uncomfortable, puppy hiccups usually resolve on their own.
Here's what pet parents should know about puppy hiccups.
What Do Puppy Hiccups Sound Like?
Puppy hiccups sound similar to human hiccups, except they're 200% cuter. Come on, it's a puppy! Each contraction of a puppy's diaphragm forces the vocal cords to close, which causes puppies to make the characteristic "hic!" sound.
What Causes Puppy Hiccups?
So what can be irritating your puppy's diaphragm? Just like human hiccups, puppy hiccups can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- General puppy overexcitement: He's just so happy!
- Eating or drinking too fast: At least he enjoys dinnertime.
- Gas: Happens to the best of us
Regardless of the cause, both puppies and adult dogs can (and probably will) get hiccups.
Can You Stop Puppy Hiccups?
Just like in humans, finding a remedy for hiccups is difficult. There is a wide range of home remedies for ridding humans of hiccups (holding your breath, breathing into a paper bag, or gargling), but none of these remedies are scientifically proven to work in humans, much less in dogs. Imagine trying to teach a dog how to gurgle! Ultimately, your puppy's hiccups will go away on their own and don't require treatment.
While hiccups are unpredictable, you can help prevent hiccups caused by your dog eating too quickly by using a slow feeder. Slow feeders are typically bowls that feature a puzzle-like design that dogs have to eat around.
Do Puppy Hiccups Hurt?
Although hiccups can be annoying for the person/pet who has them, they don't usually hurt. They are more surprising than painful. Keep in mind that nothing bad is happening inside your puppy when he is hiccuping.
When Are Puppy Hiccups a Concern?
A bout of hiccups might be a concern to the owner of a new puppy, especially if they are adopting their first puppy. Karen Marlsberger Martin, director of the Franklin County Humane Society in Eastpoint, Florida, says not to worry. "Hiccups are common," she says. "Puppies do get hiccups, often due to eating or drinking too quickly." Martin suggests that any time a new puppy owner feels concerned about their puppy (even over something as common as hiccups), they should reach out to their veterinarian with questions.
