Q: Although it is very cute, I am still concerned about my puppy having hiccups a lot these days. Is it normal?
A: A puppy getting hiccups is completely normal. They may have hiccups on and off throughout the day. It starts sometimes while eating a meal or thereafter, and can occur at any time of the day. A hiccup is a non-controllable spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm, causing a beginning inspiration of air that is suddenly stopped by closure of the glottis. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and enables the lungs to bring in air during inspiration. When the diaphragm contracts, the air is quickly drawn in, but the glottis suddenly cuts it off. Puppies grow out of it eventually.
Small animal veterinarian
