Do You Worried About Your Dog Hiccups? Every Information Is Here
It is quite frustrating when you get hiccups, and it continues for a minute or two. So now, think if your dog gets hiccups.
It is similarly annoying and frustrating for the dog as well, but a little funny too, as your dog’s face looks funny when they get the hiccups.
But why do these hiccups happen, to know them in brief, here are the key points you need to know why dog hiccups are a thing, and if you have the question, why does my dog have hiccups?
- If you see your dog having hiccups, then it is because their diaphragm is an involuntary contraction, this can be the cause of stress, over-excitement, drinking, or eating too much and faster.
- As puppies, hiccups are very common, they become less often when the puppy grows up.
- Most of the time, dog hiccups are quite normal and have nothing to be worried about. But if the hiccups last for a few hours, then it might be problematic, as it might affect your pet’s life, so this time, you should consult your vet.
- Since eating fast is a reason for hiccups, so you should buy your dog slow-feeding food bowls for your dog to make them eat slower.
Can Dogs Get Hiccups?
It is absolutely right that dog hiccups are a fact, and it is quite common as well, but that doesn’t mean it is something to be worried about. These dog hiccups are very much similar to human hiccups. These hiccups are a way of involuntary contraction of the diaphragm.
But when it comes to dog hiccups, the annihilation of breaths is followed by chest and belly shakes, with a “hic hic” sound. But as the puppy grows up, these hiccups tend to decrease a lot.
Understanding Dog Hiccups
Hiccup is an enigma in the medical world. There are a lot of opinions when it comes to hiccups and what causes them. However, scientists believe that the respiratory system is involved when it comes to hiccups. Therefore, to truly understand why your dog might be having hiccups is hidden in the anatomy of the dog.
A dog breathes using their diaphragms. Whenever the dog breathes in, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward. This enables the dog to take in the air. In order to exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and moves up the chest cavity. This allows for the dog to exhale. This is how a dog breathes.
Now, if the diaphragm spasms, this can interrupt the natural breathing process and causes hiccups. But what makes the diaphragm spasm? Let us find out more in detail.
Eating/Drinking Too Quickly
Dogs can get really hungry. And a hungry dog would try and finish its meals quicker than usual. This in turn puts them at a risk of swallowing air. This sudden air intake is known as aerophagia. This causes stomach distention, and can irritate the diaphragm muscles, causing them to spasm.
Stress/Over excitement
While being stressed, the general heart rate and the cortisol level of the dog might increase. moreover, during the moments of excitement and stress, dogs tend to take shorter breaths. All this can cause the dog to go through diaphragm spasms. which in turn would induce hiccups in your dogs.
Spicy Food
Most common of the lot, but spicy foods do induce hiccups in dogs. Spicy foods usually make dogs gassy. Moreover, spicy foods can leave your dog wanting for water. This in turn, would make your dog drink water much faster than usual, triggering hiccups. Moreover, spicy food also contains a chemical called the capsaicin. This is known for triggering diaphragm spasms, which is the primary cause behind hiccups.
Medications
Some medications like the corticosteroids, benzodiazepines or antibiotics might cause hiccups in dogs. The reason is that these medications irritate the esophagus and can cause acid reflux. This can also trigger hiccups in dogs.
Why Do Puppies Get Hiccups?
If you get to know why puppies and dogs get hiccups, then you will get to know that there are actually many several reasons why dog has hiccups.
- When it comes to puppies, they tend to drink and eat quite faster, and that way, puppies get hiccups.
- Since puppies have weak organs like the digestive system, getting hiccups is easier for them than for adult dogs.
- It is obvious that puppies are excited easily and are more energetic than adult dogs, bursts of rapid breathing cause hiccups in puppies.
- Catching a cold or getting tired is a trigger for puppies to get hiccups. This is why sleeping puppies are prone to hiccups more than the ones that are awake.
How To Get Rid Of Dog Hiccups?
When your dog gets continuous hiccups, there are a couple of ways you can get rid of these hiccups. A few of these cures are also applicable to humans as well.
- Play hide-and-seek that way, try giving them a “spook” from one side, that way, legitimate fear is great at curing hiccups from your puppy.
- Sips of water are a great way to get rid of your dog hiccups, but make them drink it slower.
- Give them something sweet to eat, especially in a liquid form. So you can even mix a bit of sugar with water and give it to your dog.
- Give your dog a bit of maple syrup, even Karo syrup or honey. If you coat your dog’s throat with this, then it will soothe the throat as well.
- Give your dog’s chest a massage. This way, it would relax your dog’s diaphragm and brings the breathing pattern to normal.
- With light exercise and a quick, mellow slow walk, your dog’s breathing patterns change to their normal patterns.
When Should You Be Concerned About Your Dog’s Hiccups?
Most of the time, hiccups are not something you should be concerned about. But when the hiccups keep on for a few hours, then it can be quite concerning. Here are a few instances when dog hiccups become quite problematic.
1. Heatstroke
In certain cases, dog hiccups are triggered by heatstrokes. Heatstrokes can be quite dangerous and life-threatening for a dog, but for Bulldogs and Pugs, brachycephalic is a dangerous disease that restricts the short muzzles and airways.
2. Respiratory Issues
Most of the time, hiccups come right after symptoms like sneezing and coughing, wheezing, and nose discharge. These hiccups can be a sign of pneumonia, asthma, and bronchitis.
3. Pericarditis
Another serious cause of why dog hiccups are problematic is pericarditis and also hypothermia. On the one hand, “inflammation of the heart sac, the pericardium, which causes fluid to accumulate between the layers.”
Then, on the other hand, “hypothermia is an extreme lowering of the body temperature resulting from exposure to frigid temperatures for too long.”
4. Gastric Issues
If you see that your dog is showing symptoms like bloody stool, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can be accompanied by intense hiccups. All these symptoms usually indicate a gastrointestinal problem.
You should immediately contact your Vet if you see these signs in your dog.
- If your dog starts to vomit.
- When your dog is not drinking or eating.
- If your dog is in pain.
- Your dog starts to drool excessively.
- Suppose the hiccups last longer than a few hours.
- If the hiccups convert into a wheezing sound.
- Your dog seems to be having difficulty breathing.
Wrapping Up!
Now if you are well versed in everything related to dog hiccups, then you will understand that hiccups in dogs are not something to be concerned about and worried about.
But if the hiccups last longer for a few hours, then if you think it is necessary, then consult your vet for a diagnosis.
So if you think this article was helpful for you, then give this article a like and comment down below, if you liked the article.
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