Dog Hiccups Are Self-Curing

No need to worry about dog’s hiccups.

Q. My dog gets the hiccups. She refuses to drink water. What should I do?

A. Luckily, hiccups in dogs are a harmless condition. They basically are a repeating spasm of the laryngeal cartilage. Although drinking water in humans may help dispel hiccups, there is no evidence that it helps in dogs.

Your dog is probably refusing to drink water because you are insisting that she does. She may be a little stubborn.

No worries, just keep the water fresh and clean, and your dog will resume normal water intake. The hiccups will eventually stop on their own.

One other condition that can be confused for hiccups is a reverse sneeze, in which your dog actually sucks in air vigorously through her nose in a repeated fashion. This also is a condition you don’t need to worry about.

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JP Boston, MA

2/25/2011 5:14:43 AM

Definitely nothing to worry about. If it bothers you though, try taking your dog for a run or paying with them. Getting them excited and altering their breathing patterns can sometimes get them to stop hiccuping... Reference: http://www.get-rid-of-hiccups. com/Dog-Hiccups-Puppy-Hiccups.html

A shelter worker Philidelphia, PA

8/31/2010 6:34:22 AM

Reverse sneezes can definitely be something to be concerned about. They are often the first sign of kennel cough (upper respiratory infection) in dogs, which can be very serious if left untreated. If a dog is having chronic or repeated reverse sneezes (which often sound like a cough), they should be seen by a vet immediately and restricted from contact with other dogs until healthy.