Puppy Hiccups: Why They Happen and When to Worry

Puppy hiccups are normal and almost always harmless. They are a small spasm of the diaphragm, often set off by gulping food or water or by getting overexcited, and most bouts stop on their own within minutes. You only need your vet if the hiccups go on for hours, keep coming back, or arrive with other signs such as breathing trouble, coughing or vomiting.

What are hiccups in dogs and puppies?

A hiccup is a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, the sheet of muscle that sits under the lungs. That pulls in a quick breath, the vocal cords snap shut, and you hear the familiar "hic". In a pup you will usually see a small, regular jerk of the chest or tummy, sometimes with a soft squeak, while your dog otherwise carries on as normal. Since hiccups are involuntary, your puppy is not doing anything wrong and cannot stop them on purpose.

Hiccups start early: puppies can hiccup before they are even born.

Why do puppies get hiccups?

There is no single proven cause, but UK vets and welfare charities point to the same set of triggers.

The Royal Kennel Club also notes some other ideas that have been put forward, including a reflex left over from the womb, trapped wind, and a digestive system that is still developing. None of these is proven, so treat them as possibilities rather than answers.

Why does my puppy hiccup a lot?

Younger dogs are simply more prone to hiccups. Their muscles are still developing and they tend to eat, drink and get excited at full speed. Dogs Trust says hiccups are most common in dogs under eight months old, and the Royal Kennel Club says they tend to happen less often from around four months. So it is completely normal for a new puppy to hiccup often. If your puppy gets hiccups after most meals, the speed of eating is the first thing to look at. Our puppy feeding guide covers meal sizes and feeding routines, which also helps with gulping.

Woodgreen adds that flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs and Boxers may get hiccups more often because of their shorter airways.

Why does my puppy get hiccups when sleeping?

Nobody knows for certain why puppies hiccup in their sleep. If your puppy is breathing easily, is not distressed and wakes up normally, let them rest; our guide to how much puppies sleep explains what normal rest looks like at each stage.

How long do puppy hiccups last?

Hiccups typically last a few minutes and stop without any help. Dogs Trust says puppy hiccups can sometimes last up to an hour or so.

Sources differ slightly on when a long bout needs a call to the vet: Woodgreen suggests getting in touch if hiccups last more than an hour, while the Royal Kennel Club and Dogs Trust say more than a few hours. It is also worth mentioning any long or frequent bouts at your puppy's next vaccination or health check. A sensible rule is that an hour of hiccups in a happy, comfortable pup is worth watching, and anything longer, or any bout that worries you, is worth a phone call.

Are hiccups bad for puppies?

In most cases there is nothing to worry about. Dog hiccups are usually harmless, and Dogs Trust says there is no evidence that they are painful for puppies or adult dogs. Rarely, persistent hiccups can be linked to an underlying health problem, which is why the length of a bout and any other signs are more of a cause for concern than the hiccups themselves.

How to get rid of puppy hiccups

Most of the time the best thing to do is nothing. If your puppy is not upset, let the hiccups pass and stay calm yourself, because a fuss can unsettle a young dog.

If a bout is dragging on, these gentle steps can help your puppy:

• Pause food. Do not feed your puppy while they are hiccuping, as it raises the risk of choking.
• Offer a drink of water, but do not force it. Fresh water to sip slowly is fine; never make your dog drink.
• Calm things down. Quiet stroking, a cuddle, or asking a standing puppy to sit or lie down can help.
• Try a belly rub. A gentle rub of the tummy is one of the suggestions from both the Royal Kennel Club and Woodgreen.
• Gentle distraction. A slow, calm walk or a quiet game with a toy are also worth a try.

What not to do

Skip the human hiccup cures. Scaring your puppy, trying to make them hold their breath, pulling the tongue or pressing on the eyes are all distressing and can be dangerous for dogs.

How to stop puppy hiccups coming back

Prevention is mostly about slowing mealtimes down and keeping things calm around food:

• Use a slow-feeder bowl so your puppy cannot gulp
• Split the daily food into smaller, more frequent meals in the right portion size
• Try an anti-gulp water bowl if your dog drinks fast
• Keep mealtimes quiet, away from busy play
• Avoid water straight from the fridge
• Let your puppy settle after exercise before food or water
• Avoid exercise for around an hour after eating

The Royal Kennel Club points out that several of these habits also help reduce the risk of bloat, so they are worth keeping up as your puppy grows.

When are hiccups something else?

Some noises and movements look like hiccups but are not. It helps to know the difference, because a couple of them need a vet.

Reverse sneezing

Reverse sneezing is the one most often mistaken for hiccups or choking. PDSA describes it as the dog rapidly sucking air in through the nose, which makes a loud snorting sound and can look alarming, but it usually lasts only 30 seconds to a minute and is nearly always harmless. Triggers include pulling on the lead, overexcitement, dust, air fresheners, allergies and food or drink, and small and flat-faced breeds are more prone to it. See your vet if it starts out of the blue, happens often, or if your puppy faints, collapses or takes a while to recover afterwards; a short video on your phone is very useful, as it rarely happens in the consulting room.

Breathing difficulty

Struggling to breathe is a life-threatening emergency. If your puppy is breathing noisily or very fast, stretching their neck out to get air, or has white, blue or grey gums, keep them calm and cool and take them to the nearest vet straight away, phoning ahead on the way. If you are not sure whether your puppy's breathing is normal, our guide to puppy breathing fast sets out what is normal and what is not.

When to seek veterinary advice for puppy hiccups

Ring your vet practice for advice if your puppy's hiccups:

• go on for more than an hour or two, or keep coming back several times a day
• change into a wheezing sound
• seem to be painful or upsetting your puppy
• come with coughing, sneezing or a runny nose
• come with gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting, regurgitation, diarrhoea or blood in the poo
• come with dribbling, not eating or drinking, or unusual tiredness

Worms can occasionally be behind long-lasting hiccups, usually alongside other symptoms, so mention your puppy's worming history when you call.

Get veterinary help immediately, day or night, if your puppy is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, or has pale, blue or grey gums.

Dog hiccups: can adult dogs get hiccups?

Yes. Dogs can get hiccups at any age, but hiccups in dogs become less common as they mature. The same triggers apply to dogs of all ages: eating or drinking quickly, excitement, and hard exercise. Older dogs that suddenly start to hiccup often, or whose hiccups come with any of the warning signs above, should see a vet, because frequent hiccups are much less typical in an adult than in a young puppy.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for puppies to get hiccups?

Yes. Hiccups are very common in puppies and are most frequent in dogs under eight months old. They usually become less frequent from around four months.

Why does my dog hiccup after eating?

Eating or drinking too fast means swallowing air, which is one of the most common triggers. A slow-feeder bowl and smaller meals usually help.

Are hiccups painful for dogs?

There is no evidence that hiccups are painful for dogs. If your dog seems distressed or in pain while hiccuping, call your vet.

Should I give my puppy water when they have hiccups?

You can offer fresh water for them to sip slowly, but never force a puppy to drink. Avoid giving food until the hiccups stop.

When do puppy hiccups stop?

Most puppies hiccup less as they mature, with bouts tending to tail off from around four months and becoming much less common after eight months. Adult dogs can still hiccup now and then.