Alice White
Hicks – there it is again, the sound of the dog basket! The newly fed puppy has hiccups! Its owner is wondering if something is wrong with the little one? We explain why there is no need to worry when puppies have hiccups.
Puppy Has Hiccups: Why?
Hiccups are caused by irritation of a particular nerve (the phrenic nerve) that is responsible for the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a large muscle that lies between the chest and abdomen. The irritated nerve triggers a reflex: the classic hiccups. The diaphragm muscle contracts again and again in an uncontrollable manner. Of course, hiccups also occur in the adult dog. But we see it much more often in puppies. This is probably due to the fact that events particularly irritate the diaphragm, which is especially common in puppies. This includes eating and drinking quickly, getting excited or frightened. The cold can also trigger a hiccup. In addition, the growth of the body also makes the puppy more prone to hiccups.
Hiccups in Puppies: How to React?
Puppy hiccups are not a cause for concern!
Just wait – hiccups usually last five to 30 minutes.
A little game can distract both of you and reduce the hiccups. If your puppy has hiccups several times a day, speak to your veterinarian about this during the next check-up. Usually, the hiccups are completely harmless. Only in rare cases are serious illnesses behind it. These include tumors or abscesses near the diaphragm. This is very unlikely in the puppy.
