How to Calm Hiccups in Dogs

Hiccups are annoying enough for us, so you can imagine what it's like for your dog who can't do anything about it. Find out some great tips for what do to in today's article
How to Calm Hiccups in Dogs

Last update: 23 January, 2019

Dogs can get hiccups too. They are just as annoying for them as they are for us, and they can’t do much themselves to stop them. That’s where we come in, and we’ll give you some great tips to help you calm hiccups in dogs.

What are hiccups?

Hiccups are spasms in the diaphragm that cause discomfort for your pet, just like they do for us. However, just like for people, dog hiccups aren’t anything to worry about. That’s why it’s important to remain calm and know that your pet will be ok, whether or not you’re able to calm his hiccups.

A dog lying on a mat.

Puppies are more prone to getting hiccups. However, in most cases, no matter what their age, the hiccups will disappear after a few minutes.

However, if the hiccups keep going for 30 minutes or more, or if the animal convulses or shows any other alarming sign, then it’s best to go and see your vet right away.

How to calm hiccups in dogs

You’ve surely heard how scaring a person will make their hiccups go away, and it may or may not work for you. However, it certainly won’t work with our pets, and so we have to resort to other tactics. Among the most effective are the following methods:

Play with your pet

Distracting the animal with games, or playing with him, is the best way to get the dog to forget his hiccups. Maybe, before he even realizes, they’ll be completely gone. However, even if that doesn’t happen, don’t be alarmed. As we said earlier, this problem isn’t dangerous, as long as it’s not accompanied by other symptoms.

Feed him

Hiccups are usually caused by eating quickly. This changes their breathing patterns and causes the annoying hiccup noise, along with the really annoying spasms. Giving the animal something else to eat can change these patterns again. It returns their breathing to normal and eliminates the hiccups.

Water

Water has the same function as food, in that it changes the breathing patterns. In fact, drinking water is often the first thing we do when we have hiccups. It also works on your pet.

Surprise

Although they say that scaring doesn’t work with dogs, some people try to give their dog a surprise, just to see if it works. However, the more you do this, the more your dog will distrust you, and it will only make things worse.

Exercising

There’s nothing better than exercise to change breathing patterns. Take your pet for a walk, run, or do anything that your dog likes, even if that means rolling around in the mud! All of these activities can help make hiccups disappear.

If not, at least the dog will have had fun and will have probably forgotten about the bothersome little noise. Who knows? Maybe by not remembering it, it’ll disappear!

A bath

A dog having a bath.

It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since you gave your dog a bath, even if it was yesterday. Very few dogs like to have a bath. Because of that, as soon as he sees you trying to remove his collar or grab a towel, he’ll do everything he can to spoil your plans to give him a bath that he really doesn’t want. His efforts will change his breathing patterns and get rid of the hiccups.

Hiccups in dogs isn’t a problem that needs to be treated at a veterinary clinic. But we know, of course, that it’s annoying for your pet, and even for you and your family. However, as you can see, they are quite easy to get rid of if you follow our advice.

In addition to this, try to teach your dog to eat slower so that he won’t get hiccups as often.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.