When my dog was a puppy, he experienced frequent hiccups and even though they’re adorable, people might be wondering whether they’re worried. Dogs have hiccups just like us, but could they ever be a sign of a more serious issue? Let’s talk about the reasons why dogs experience hiccups in the beginning when you should contact your veterinarian and the remedies that you can try at home to rid yourself of constant hiccups.
Why Is My Dog Hiccuping?
Dogs, just like humans, have a muscle that divides the abdomen and the lungs. It’s called the diaphragm and it’s vital to breathing ability. When we breathe the air, it contracts and draws the air into our lungs.
When we exhale diaphragm muscles relax and the air is released out of the lungs.A Hiccup happens when the muscle spasms involuntarily and your vocal cords are briefly close because of the pressure change and creating “hic” sound “hic” sound.
Hiccups may be because of a myriad of reasons that aren’t always dangerous:
- Breathing in too much air when drinking or eating
- Stress and emotional stress
- Excitement
- Foreign bodies, irritants
- Breathing heavy, panting
Humans and dogs are certainly not the sole ones who get hiccups at least at times.
Fortunately, it’s not something to fret about. Hiccups aren’t usually indicative of an underlying medical condition. Sometimes there’s no obvious reason to hiccup, aside from the fact that it looks cute.
What Do Dog Hiccups Look Like?
It is likely that you have heard of hiccups yourself. Sudden contractions erupt over your lung region and uncontrollable “hic” sounds emerge from your throat. It is definitely similar to dogs. Hiccups in dogs are heard or do not make any sound. Their stomach muscles contract in a series of swells, and they can shake their entire body. Sometimes people mistake hiccups for reverse sneezing, which is the practice of quickly pushing air into the nostrils rather than being sneezed (pushing air through the nose). It’s an extremely common respiratory condition in dogs and can be caused by an irritant. I have experienced this just a few times with my pet Amalia who was suffering from an illness that made her airways swollen.
If your dog is occasionally hiccupping for the course of time, you don’t have to be concerned about it.
How Long Do Dogs Hiccups Last?
Hiccups that last longer than an hour or occur in a frequent manner over the course of several days are best examined by a vet, particularly in the case of other symptoms. They aren’t pleasant, but they won’t hurt your pet during the process. Most puppies experience these symptoms until about 4-6 months.
How to Get Rid of Dog Hiccups Fast?
The great part about hiccups is that they’re not painful and typically disappear by themselves (as your dog is not vomiting or anything). But the answer to that question isn’t all that satisfying since as pet dog owners, we want to do everything we can in our power to help our pets feel better. You likely have heard of several common strategies people can throw at you whenever you have intermittent hiccups.
Here are five quick and secure ways to assist you in removing the headaches:
Provide some fluids: A small amount of fluid will definitely ease the hiccups, but your dog may not be craving drinking. It is also possible to try an ice cube that can help stimulate the vagus nerve.
Give him an ear massage: Put a little amount of gentle pressure on your dog’s diaphragm. It will ease contractions. Also, a chest rub or belly rub can be very enjoyable!
Relax: If your calm, your puppy will be able to perceive this in a peaceful way. Make sure you stroke him gently and speak with a gentle tone to assure him that everything is fine.
Slow down your dinner time: A dog that is eating too fast is not just at risk of having upset stomachs but also ingesting a lot of air during the process. Find your puppy to eat slowly and take smaller portions of food more often.
Change his diet Foods with a lot of grains like corn, wheat or barley are more likely to produce more hiccups than food with less grain.
How to Get Rid of Hiccups in Puppies?
Hiccups are very prevalent in puppies and you can definitely try the remedies I have mentioned above as they can be used for every dog at any age.
Hiccups and Vomiting in Dogs:
Dogs can be masters at eating unpalatable food or objects that they are unable to digest. Maybe you’ve tried an entirely new food or diet brand. Most stomach problems are only temporary and will resolve naturally on their own. After your dog vomits the stomach, he shouldn’t be fed any food for up to 12-24 hours in order to give the stomach a chance to rest, and heal. Water is best given in small doses.
Following the fast after the fast, you can gradually reintroduce foods that are bland like boiled chicken, potatoes, and rice.
When he’s fully recovered, the diet will gradually be replaced with regular food. If your dog’s health is declining and additional signs appear like gooey, white saliva or pacing, abdominal pain, or vomiting continue to go to the veterinarian immediately.
Careallpets
The Careallpets blog features useful information about pet issues, including how to keep your dog healthy and happy.
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