Petriage Clinical Insights

IMPORTANT: This article, which is provided for educational purposes only, is based on published veterinary data and decades of work with pets and pet parents. The information provided here is not designed to be comprehensive but to help you avoid the pitfalls of online misinformation and most importantly, to frame the conversation you should have with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian’s perspective may differ from what is expressed here. Always consult with your veterinarian.

Hiccups

Hiccups are involuntary spastic contractions of the diaphragm. Most common in puppies since then tend to drink and eat quickly and are more prone to excitement and bursts of high energy, hiccups can also occur in mature dogs when they are excited or stressed. Most hiccup episodes last only a few minutes, and are not concerning.

Warning

  • In very rare cases, frequent or prolonged hiccups may indicate an underlying problem. If your pet has hiccups often or if a single episode lasts more than 30 minutes, consult with your vet. 

Tips

  • Elevating your pet's food and water dishes a few inches off the ground may reduce their chance of developing hiccups.
  • Drinking water with a small amount of sweetener such as honey, sugar, or maple syrup may help resolve a case of the hiccups.
  • In some dogs, a chest massage may help them relax their diaphragm.