No, hiccups are not unique to humans. It also concerns our dog friends and is even very common among puppies. Moreover, if you are the happy owner of a young dog, you may have already noticed these little twitches in the chest which can be surprising. Rest assured, hiccups are not painful and are generally not serious.
Hiccups in puppies, a common phenomenon
In puppies, as in humans, hiccups (also called phrenic or phrenoglottic myoclonus) correspond to small, involuntary and repeated contractions of the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and plays an essential role in breathing. With each contraction, the rapid closure of the vocal cords produces the famous little “hic”, sometimes accompanied by slight jerks in the body.
Puppies are particularly prone to this because their nervous and muscular systems are still developing. Their diaphragm, still immature, is therefore more sensitive to stimulation, which makes these episodes more frequent during the first months of life. But, good news: in the vast majority of cases, hiccups decrease and then disappear with age, as the body matures.
What are the main causes of hiccups in puppies?
Hiccups in puppies are most often linked to very simple everyday situations. The most common cause is aerophagia caused by too rapid ingestion of food or water: by eating (or suckling) greedily, the puppy also swallows air, which can dilate its stomach. This then presses on the diaphragm located just above, which can trigger hiccups.
Moments of intense excitement also play an important role: after a play session, a race or a strong emotion (stress, fear, etc.), your little one's breathing accelerates and can trigger these temporary spasms. Hiccups can also be observed during sudden changes in pace, for example after a nap or exercise. More rarely, slight digestive discomfort may be the cause.
Finally, let us point out that some puppies may be more susceptible to hiccups when it is cold, particularly small breeds like the PoodleTHE Yorkshire or the Chihuahua. The cold can in fact cause slight muscle tension, which strains the diaphragm and promotes the appearance of hiccups.
Also note that certain substances present in the environment (pollen, household products, tobacco smoke, air fresheners, etc.) can irritate your puppy's respiratory tract and cause episodes of reverse sneezing, sometimes confused with hiccups. These reactions, similar to small spasms, then result in rapid and noisy inspiration through the nose.
Woopets info – How to react when a puppy has hiccups?
If your puppy has hiccups, don't worry: here's how to react simply and effectively:
- Stay calm: in the vast majority of cases, your puppy is not in pain and the hiccups disappear on their own within a few minutes;
- Help him to relax: reduce the excitement around him and speak to him gently to help him return to calm;
- Adapt your diet if necessary: split your meals and/or use an anti-gluttonous bowl to limit too rapid ingestion;
- Monitor developments: hiccups are generally mild, but consult a veterinarian if they become very frequent, last a long time or are accompanied by unusual signs (coughing, vomiting, fatigue, breathing difficulties, etc.).