Dog's Reaction to Getting Hiccups for First Time Has People in Stitches

A video showing a one-year-old dog experiencing a bout of hiccups has taken the internet by storm.

The viral clip, shared by TikTok user @medmitz, has amassed over 1.6 million views since it was posted on July 13.

The footage shows the dog—a mix between a chocolate Labrador and a Weimaraner, according to a later comment by the poster—standing in a room near a table and flinching with each hiccup. A message overlaid on the clip reads: "He's super annoyed I'm not helping him get rid of his hiccups."

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Hysterical laughter is heard in the background as a voice asks: "What's happening?"

As the hiccups persist, the dog barks and growls, eventually placing a paw against the person filming before jumping towards the camera.

A caption shared with the post simply says: "He's too funny."

Why Dogs Get Hiccups and How to Help

Hiccups in dogs and puppies are caused by rapid contractions of the diaphragm, a muscle crucial for breathing. These contractions can be triggered when dogs swallow too much air, often due to eating or drinking quickly, stress, heavy play, or excitement, veterinarian Dr. Katie Grzyb explained in a September 2022 article for PetMD.

While hiccups are generally harmless and resolve on their own, there are ways to help alleviate them.

To help a dog with hiccups, owners can offer room temperature water or water with a small amount of honey or syrup. Massaging the dog's chest and throat or encouraging light exercise can also help. If a puppy frequently gets hiccups from eating too quickly, using slow-feeder bowls can be beneficial, Grzyb advised.

Hiccups usually last only a few minutes, but if they persist for more than a few hours or are accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, excessive drooling, or difficulty breathing, it is advisable to seek veterinary attention. These could indicate a more serious underlying issue, such as respiratory or gastrointestinal problems, the veterinarian warned.

You should take your pup to see a veterinarian as soon as possible in the following cases, as outlined by Grzyb:

• The hiccups last more than a few hours.
• Your pet seems to be in pain.
• Your pet is not eating or drinking.
• Your pet is drooling excessively.
• Your pet starts to vomit.
• The hiccups become a wheezing sound
• Your pet has difficulty breathing.

'I'm Wheezing'

The dog's reaction to having hiccups in the viral clip left some TikTok users in stitches.

User val.menchaca remarked: "It's funnier each time I watch it. Your wheeze laugh is so funny as well."

Another user, andzia gandzia, added: "I'm WHEEZING at this."

T commented: "He's looking at you like 'please I think something's wrong with me,'" while user13813539837784 humorously noted: "He's like, 'I called for help TWICE!'"

User @kori_jae_twirlsport also sympathized with the dog, stating: "In his defense I get mad at my hiccups too."

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video hasn't been independently verified.

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