Eating and drinking quickly or getting overly excited can sometimes trap air in the stomach, which causes the diaphragm to spasm and may lead to hiccups in dogs. Canine hiccups are harmless and usually subside within a few minutes, but recovery can be hastened by changing your dog’s breathing pattern.
Alter Your Dog's Breathing Pattern
Step 1
Offer your dog a drink of water. Drinking water is thought to speed up recovery from hiccups in both people and dogs.
Step 2
Feed your dog. Eating a treat or some food will alter your dog’s breathing pattern and disrupt the hiccups.
Step 3
Play with your dog. Show your dog his favorite toy and invite him to play with you. Engaging in playtime with you might change your dog’s breathing pattern and stop the hiccups.
Step 4
Massage your dog’s chest to soothe his diaphragm muscle. Diaphragm spasms are less likely to occur when the muscle is relaxed, so massaging your dog’s chest can help stop the hiccups.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
References
Tips
- If the hiccups last for more than one hour, contact your veterinarian. Though it's not likely, it's possible that your dog's hiccups are being caused by an underlying medical condition.
Writer Bio
Kristina Barroso is a full-time teacher who has been freelance writing since 1991. She published her first book, a break-up survival guide, in 2007 and specializes in a variety of topics including, but not limited to, relationships and issues in education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University.