To help a young canine get rid of puppy hiccups the owner must first understand why they occur. They are normal in young dogs. Some breeds are more prone to them than others. Canines with short noses may tend to get them more often. Dealing with the annoyance from gulping too much air requires some attention to the animal’s eating habits.
There are bowls designed to slow down the speed in which the canine consumes his or her food. Purchasing and using one of these special bowls will teach the young animal that eating fast is not a good idea. It is a noninvasive technique of teaching good eating habits and manners that will also help eliminate dog hiccups in both younger and older pets.
Serving smaller amounts of food in the bowl can also slow down eating. If the animal sees less in the bowl there is less need to devour the contents. Putting small amounts of food in the bowl will teach the animal to take breaks while eating and will help deter the gulping of air, which is related to eating fast. Always remove the food if the hiccups have started to reduce the risk of the animal choking on more food.
Though increasing carbon dioxide in humans is effective a pet owner is not able to make the animal breathe into a paper bag or hold its breath. It is also not a good idea to block the animal’s breathing to stop puppy hiccups. This may lead to aggression and fear.
Trying to scare away the sounds from gulped air is another sure way to create fear or aggression in a canine. This is not likely to be very effective. There are some additional steps pet owners can try which are safe for the animal.
Try giving a small bowl of water or milk. If the animal drinks he or she may stop breathing long enough for the puppy hiccups to go away. Getting the animal involved in a rigorous game of fetch may also cause the pet to change breathing as it requires movement of the diaphragm.
If none of these tactics work the animal may be under the influence of stress. Try some massage or methods of getting the animal to relax. This may work in pets who tend to be high strung and highly excitable. Reducing or eliminating competition for food from other dogs will help those animals in households with other dogs. The stress and excitement of having to get every last morsel before the others is gone and may create a more relaxed eating environment.
Some young canines may need the help of a veterinarian if the problem continues or persists for a long period of time. This could be an indication of an underlying problem like intestinal blockage or under-developed respiratory system. As long as the problem does not last for hours the animal will likely experience the issue less often if methods for slowing down the eating process are used.
Dog hiccups usually go away on their own. Pet owners can help best by keeping the animal calm and preventing the gulping of food. The same applies for water. If the pet drinks too fast smaller amounts can be placed in the bowl initially. Taking water along during a long walk or for a trip to the park can keep the animal hydrated. It will reduce the likelihood that the canine will gulp the water as soon as he or she has access to it. When in doubt as to whether the condition may be caused by something else it is best to consult the expertise of the veterinarian.