Hiccups
Disclaimer: The information shared on this website is based on my experience as a Registered Veterinary Technician, breeder, and Great Dane owner. It is intended for educational purposes and should not replace advice from your veterinarian.
One of the most common questions I receive from new puppy owners is:
"My puppy has the hiccups! Is something wrong?"
The good news is no—hiccups are completely normal in puppies and are nothing to worry about.
Hiccups are caused by involuntary contractions (spasms) of the diaphragm, the muscle responsible for breathing. They occur much more frequently in puppies than adult dogs and usually last only a few minutes before resolving on their own.
In my experience, Great Dane and other giant breed puppies seem especially prone to hiccups. Because they grow at such an incredible rate, their bodies are constantly changing. It's common for them to go through awkward growth stages where their front end grows first, followed by their rear, and then everything catches up. You may notice periods where their hips appear higher than their shoulders, only for their proportions to change again a few weeks later. While there isn't any research proving this is why giant breeds seem to hiccup more often, I've often wondered if these rapid growth changes contribute to the frequency of hiccups.
Do Hiccups Hurt?
Fortunately, hiccups are generally harmless and don't bother puppies nearly as much as they worry their owners! Most puppies simply pause for a minute or two before returning to whatever they were doing.
Can I Stop the Hiccups?
Usually, the best approach is to simply let them run their course. Hiccups almost always disappear on their own within a few minutes.
If your puppy has just finished eating or drinking very quickly, encouraging them to slow down at future meals may help reduce episodes. Slow feeder bowls can be useful for puppies that inhale their food.
Support Healthy Growth
Although hiccups themselves are perfectly normal, proper nutrition plays an important role in supporting healthy development. Giant breed puppies should be fed a diet formulated to promote slow, steady growth, helping reduce the risk of developmental orthopedic diseases such as:
"My puppy has the hiccups! Is something wrong?"
The good news is no—hiccups are completely normal in puppies and are nothing to worry about.
Hiccups are caused by involuntary contractions (spasms) of the diaphragm, the muscle responsible for breathing. They occur much more frequently in puppies than adult dogs and usually last only a few minutes before resolving on their own.
In my experience, Great Dane and other giant breed puppies seem especially prone to hiccups. Because they grow at such an incredible rate, their bodies are constantly changing. It's common for them to go through awkward growth stages where their front end grows first, followed by their rear, and then everything catches up. You may notice periods where their hips appear higher than their shoulders, only for their proportions to change again a few weeks later. While there isn't any research proving this is why giant breeds seem to hiccup more often, I've often wondered if these rapid growth changes contribute to the frequency of hiccups.
Do Hiccups Hurt?
Fortunately, hiccups are generally harmless and don't bother puppies nearly as much as they worry their owners! Most puppies simply pause for a minute or two before returning to whatever they were doing.
Can I Stop the Hiccups?
Usually, the best approach is to simply let them run their course. Hiccups almost always disappear on their own within a few minutes.
If your puppy has just finished eating or drinking very quickly, encouraging them to slow down at future meals may help reduce episodes. Slow feeder bowls can be useful for puppies that inhale their food.
Support Healthy Growth
Although hiccups themselves are perfectly normal, proper nutrition plays an important role in supporting healthy development. Giant breed puppies should be fed a diet formulated to promote slow, steady growth, helping reduce the risk of developmental orthopedic diseases such as:
- Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD)
- Panosteitis (Pano)
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)