Hiccups In Dogs

Animals having a diaphragm get hiccups. As birds and reptiles do not have a diaphragm they do not get hiccups. If you have a dog then you must have noticed that similar to humans, dogs do get hiccups. Sometimes the hiccups subside in about a couple of minutes, where as, sometimes they just go on for more than an hour.

If the hiccups are frequent and do not subside even after 30 minutes, then you must take the canine to the vet as soon as possible. But mind you, don’t ever give it medicines which the humans use. That can be dangerous for the dog.

The reason why dogs get hiccups is similar to why humans get hiccups. It’s either because of eating too quickly, being too excited or energetic, and due to high-grain food. Dogs and puppies have a tendency to lap up water and eat food very quickly. When dogs bark too much or get very excited while playing around, they can have hiccups.

Further, we shall list out a few pointers which will tell you how to prevent/reduce/cure hiccups for your pet buddy.

• Do not feed your dog high-grain food, as it can cause hiccups. Always opt for low-grain products. Observe your dog’s diet and gauge as to what foods spark off hiccups.
• Make him active and expose him to plenty of physical activity. Be it a long walk in the garden, a game of fetch or any other outdoor activity. This will ensure a change in the dog’s breathing habits and fix the issue of hiccups.
• If his breathing gets uncontrollable, give him his favorite food or any dog food. When the dog eats, his breathing pattern changes. This will stop the hiccups.

Try this with your pooch, the next time it has hiccups and let us know how was the experience. ?