What Are the Causes of Canine Hiccups?

Hiccups occur when your dog's diaphragm involuntarily contracts, causing air to bounce off of his vocal cords and produce a noise. Hiccups are a common condition that typically pose no health threat to your dog. This condition is caused by several circumstances, from eating too fast to having a sudden change in emotion.

Dogs endure hiccups when they eat or drink too quickly, react to a food that upsets their stomach or experience sudden emotions such as fatigue, sadness or excitement. Puppies are notorious for experiencing frequent hiccups since they get easily excited over things like treats and playtime. Puppies stop experiencing frequent hiccups as they grow older, according to the American Animal Hospital.

According to Vetinfo, hiccups should stop on their own and are generally not considered to be a medical problem. If your dog experiences persistent hiccups, make an appointment with your vet to rule out conditions such as pneumonia, stroke, asthma and pericarditis.