My new puppy has hiccups 5-10 times a day

[jakesbride110]

I just rescued a new puppy, he's a 3 month old part white german shepherd part husky (we think). I know this is probably nothing so I feel silly taking him to the vet for it, however I am a little concerned. He seems to hiccup constantly, literally every few hours. I've only had him for a few days and he's already had the first two set of boosters. We are supposed to take him next week for the next set. I've never had a puppy before that hiccuped excessively, nor have I ever heard of another puppy with that problem. I recently lost a puppy to liver failure a couple of weeks ago so I know I'm being paranoid over the littlest things. Any ideas or information would be greatly appreciated.

[Erinkr83]

My 2.5 year old German Shepherd does this multiple times DAILY. I'm scared and I don't have money to pay a vet

[Boop7676]

This is so strange. I bought a puppy that we were told was a white lab but we now think is some type of white shepherd husky mix as well and he gets the hiccups all the time. When I wake him up or he eats too fast etc. He is healthy otherwise so it hasn't been a big concern for me. I wouldn't worry too much as long as he's eating and drinking well and doesnt have any other symptoms of illness. Good Luck! Take care.

[Squirrelchez]

My 7 month old French Bulldog x Staffordshire Bull Terrier has hiccups probably 5-10 times a day! They can be when he wakes up, after eating (which I know is down to ingesting air - he has a slow feeder bowl), after drinking, while playing - basically any time! Someone told me it was because he's growing, so I'm not overly bothered at the moment. He still has several months to a year of growing left to do, so it looks like the hiccups are here for the foreseeable future...!

[DogadviceEnthusiast]

Yes puppies do hiccup a lot but its probably from excitement or eating too quickly. Try to calm them down, take them for a walk, or grab a bowl which slows down their eating and drinking. Sometimes it can be a concern so I have written a post on a few other ideas like low grain food and equipment to try.  Worth checking out at https://www.cuteness.com/blog/content/why-does-my-dog-hiccup-all-the-time  

[ypri]

Puppy Hiccups are very common. But if they are presenting with other symptoms or in amounts that interfere with your pup's eating / sleeping, then a vet visit is not a bad call. High grain foods are known to make dogs hiccup so make sure you are using a quality food!!! http://www.get-rid-of-hiccups.com/Dog-Hiccups-Puppy-Hiccups.html

[Jaybay]

It never hurts to at least make a phone call to your vet any time you have a question about your pet's health.  I don't think the hiccuping is a serious problem right now.  Lord only knows this dog's past history and diet changes, so as long as there isn't any vomiting, give it a few more weeks to settle down.  Congrats on your new pup!  :-)

[jakesbride110]

Well he gets them many times a day. He doesn't keep them for more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time it seems like. Thanks for your posts. I appreciate the help. =) I guess if it they start sticking around longer I might take him in just to be safe.

[Ghilly]

In truth, hvnzent, hiccups are much more complicated than simple muscle spasms.  They are actually a very complicated neurological event, involving many muscles and nerves.  In cases of regular hiccups that last only a short while, there can be a variety of triggers, but there are instances when hiccups last for weeks or even longer without a break, and instances such as these, the cause can be anything from acid reflux or other metabolic disorder to kidney failure.  In instances such as the one this puppy is experiencing, it is most likely caused by an irritation in the thorax, as would be caused by eating too quickly.

Ghilly

[Erinkr83]

My 2.5 year old German Shepherd does this multiple times DAILY. I'm scared and I don't have money to pay a vet

[hvnzent]

this is very normal and they happen frequently from 6 weeks - 20 months of age, sometimes later. This happens because your large or giant breed puppy is growing very fast and he is having muscle spasms, that's all. Relax, they will out grow it in time (and can happen to smaller breeds as well).

[Ghilly]

Some puppies do hiccup an awful lot.  I don't know what causes it, but it's nothing serious.  When my collie was a puppy (she was 10 weeks old when I got her) it seemed like she would get hiccups every time she ate.  I also have a cat who hiccups all the time.  At least a couple of times a week he gets them.  

Ghilly