Why Do Puppies Get the Hiccups?

If you’ve ever watched your puppy suddenly start making a little “hic…hic…hic” sound while their belly gives a tiny jump, you may have wondered, What in the world is happening?

Don’t worry—puppy hiccups are incredibly common! In most cases, they’re harmless and don’t cause your puppy any pain or discomfort.

What Do Puppy Hiccups Look Like?

Puppy hiccups are usually pretty easy to recognize. You may hear a quick “hic” sound while seeing your puppy’s chest or belly make a small, involuntary movement.

A hiccup happens when the diaphragm, a muscle involved in breathing, suddenly contracts. That contraction is followed by the quick closing of the vocal cords, which creates the familiar “hic” sound.

While we don’t know exactly why hiccups happen, we do know that puppies seem to get them much more frequently than adult dogs.

Why Do Puppies Get Hiccups?

Puppies are basically little bundles of energy with bodies that are still developing. There are several things that can trigger those adorable—and sometimes annoying—hiccups.

🐾 1. Their Diaphragm Is Still Developing

Puppies are still growing, and that includes the muscles involved in breathing and digestion. Their developing respiratory and digestive systems may make them more prone to hiccups.

The good news? Most puppies outgrow frequent hiccups as they mature.

🍽️ 2. Eating Too Quickly

Does your puppy act like they haven’t eaten in three days when you put their food bowl down?

Eating too quickly can cause puppies to swallow extra air, which may contribute to hiccups. Eating a large meal quickly can have the same effect.

If your puppy is a speed eater, slowing down mealtimes with appropriate enrichment or a slow-feeder can help.

🎾 3. Excitement, Stress, or Lots of Activity

Puppies experience BIG emotions!

Running, playing, barking, whining, meeting new people, or becoming overly excited can cause changes in breathing. Those rapid breaths may cause your puppy to swallow more air, potentially triggering hiccups.

Sometimes you’ll notice hiccups after a particularly energetic play session or exciting adventure.

🐶 4. A Sensitive Puppy Tummy

Puppies have developing digestive systems, and their stomachs can be sensitive to changes.

New foods, changes in routine, eating too quickly, or simply having an immature digestive system may contribute to occasional hiccups.

🥣 5. Eating or Drinking Too Fast

It’s not just food! Puppies who gulp down water can also swallow extra air.

Encouraging your puppy to slow down when eating and drinking may help reduce how often those little hiccups show up.

💤 6. They May Simply Be Puppies!

Sometimes there’s no obvious reason for the hiccups—and that’s okay!

Puppy hiccups are a normal part of growing up for many dogs. You may notice them happening more often when your puppy is very young, with episodes becoming less frequent as they get older.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Most puppy hiccups are nothing to worry about and will disappear on their own.

However, hiccups that are persistent, unusually frequent, or accompanied by other symptoms deserve a conversation with your veterinarian.

Contact your vet if your puppy’s hiccups occur along with symptoms such as:

• Difficulty breathing

• Persistent coughing

• Wheezing

• Repeated vomiting

• Loss of appetite

• Extreme lethargy

• Signs of pain or distress

• A runny nose or other concerning respiratory symptoms

When in doubt, give your veterinarian a call. They can help determine whether your puppy’s hiccups are simply a normal puppy quirk or something that needs further attention.

Can You Stop Puppy Hiccups?

Usually, you don’t need to do anything! Most hiccups disappear on their own after a few minutes.

Instead of trying to scare the hiccups away or giving your puppy food or treats to “cure” them, simply let your puppy relax.

If your puppy frequently gets hiccups, consider looking at the bigger picture:

🐾 Is your puppy eating too quickly?
🐾 Are they gulping their water?
🐾 Do the hiccups happen after intense play?
🐾 Are they becoming overly excited or overstimulated?
🐾 Have you recently changed their food?

Identifying a pattern may help you figure out what is triggering them.

The Bottom Line

Puppy hiccups are usually normal, harmless, and temporary. They can look and sound a little strange, but for most puppies, they’re simply another quirky part of growing up.

So the next time your puppy starts going “hic, hic, hic,” take a breath and remember—you probably don’t need to panic. Your little one may just be practicing the fine art of being a puppy! 🐾❤️