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Do Animals Get Hiccups?

Kate Lonas
Kate Lonas

A person’s experience of hiccuping begins in the womb: fetuses hiccup before they breathe. Hiccuping continues as an inconvenient aspect of human life for years thereafter, but it is not only humans who hiccup: many other animals get hiccups too.

While the causes of hiccups vary, most cases arise from a disruption or irritation of the diaphragm, a thin sheet of muscle below the lungs. The irritated diaphragm sends a message to the brain via the vagus and phrenic nerves that causes the muscles of the diaphragm and other organs associated with breathing to contract spasmodically. This convulsion forces air into the lungs, and this push of air forces the air passage to close rapidly at its end, the epiglottis.

Kittens often get hiccups.
Kittens often get hiccups.

Hiccups can happen in any animal that has a diaphragm as the separator between the organs of breathing and the organs of digestion, and this includes all mammals. Other warm-blooded animals hiccup, just as humans do, when the diaphragm is somehow irritated, but because the physiology of animals is different from that of humans, the hiccups they produce won’t necessarily sound the same. The word hiccup is onomatopoeic; it imitates the “hic” sound the epiglottis as it closes, and the “up” of the next breath. When other animals hiccup, the acoustic properties of their organs affect how these disruptions sound. Cat hiccups, which occur frequently during kittenhood and sometimes after adult cats eat quickly, are often silent. In horses, hiccups are called the "thumps," and are audible not in the area of the throat, but along the chest. These seem to be related to an electrolyte imbalance.

Persistent hiccups from an animal may be a reason to visit a veterinarian.
Persistent hiccups from an animal may be a reason to visit a veterinarian.

Because animals get hiccups when the diaphragm is irritated, it follows that animals lacking this breathing apparatus don’t hiccup. Birds, reptiles, and amphibians, which breathe using other means of muscular contraction, can’t hiccup. Yet hiccup-like behavior among some amphibians may explain why many animals hiccup, a phenomenon that serves no purpose among adult mammals. When an amphibian with gills, such as a lungfish, breathes, it sucks in water. The water would drown the animal if it entered the lungs, and in order to prevent this, the epiglottis seals shut until the water passes back out through the gills. The gulp this process produces is like a hiccup. That mammal fetuses, human and others, perform the same gulp before their respiratory systems develop, suggests that hiccups are a vestige of their evolutionary past. When animals get hiccups, it is a reminder of the transition their ancestors made between water and land. Further, the impulse to close the throat appears to be related to the suckling instinct, which allows mammal infants to take milk into their mouths while keeping it out of their lungs.

Hiccups can occur in any animal that has a diaphragm.
Hiccups can occur in any animal that has a diaphragm.

There’s not much to be done when animals get hiccups. Cures are no more effective among other mammals than they are among humans, and waiting the hiccups out, annoying as that may be, is the most sensible course in most cases. The universal exception to this are hiccups that suggest an underlying medical problem. If human or animal hiccups persist for an unusually long time, or recur frequently, a visit to the physician or the veterinarian may be a good idea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do animals experience hiccups like humans do?

Cats and dogs get hiccups just as humans do, but the hiccups they produce won’t necessarily sound the same.
Cats and dogs get hiccups just as humans do, but the hiccups they produce won’t necessarily sound the same.

Yes, animals can experience hiccups similar to humans. Hiccups occur when there is a sudden contraction of the diaphragm followed by the closing of the vocal cords, which creates the characteristic "hic" sound. This involuntary reflex can happen in mammals, as they possess a diaphragm. It's been observed in creatures ranging from kittens to adult horses.

What causes hiccups in animals?

Hiccups in animals can be caused by factors such as eating too quickly, excitement, or irritation of the diaphragm. In some cases, hiccups may be a response to certain medications or, rarely, a symptom of an underlying health issue. However, most hiccups in animals are harmless and resolve on their own without intervention.

Can hiccups be harmful to animals?

Generally, hiccups are not harmful to animals and are simply a temporary inconvenience. They usually pass quickly and without any negative effects. However, if an animal experiences persistent hiccups that do not resolve or are accompanied by other symptoms, it may indicate a more serious condition that requires veterinary attention.

How do you stop hiccups in animals?

Most of the time, hiccups in animals will stop on their own without any intervention. If an animal is experiencing frequent hiccups, ensuring they eat slowly and calmly may help. If hiccups persist or the animal seems distressed, it's best to consult a veterinarian for advice and potential treatment.

Are hiccups more common in certain types of animals?

Hiccups can occur in any mammal, as they all have diaphragms, but they are more commonly reported in domestic animals like cats and dogs, possibly due to closer observation by their human companions. Younger animals, such as puppies and kittens, may experience hiccups more frequently as their digestive systems are still developing.

Is there any scientific research on animal hiccups?

Scientific research on animal hiccups is limited, but studies have been conducted to understand the phenomenon better. For example, research on hiccup-like behavior in rats has provided insights into the potential evolutionary origins of hiccups, suggesting they may have evolved from ancient amphibian respiration patterns, according to findings published in scientific journals.

Discussion Comments

anon172754

my friend would like to know if ducks can get hiccups?

anon138005

Well all mammals get hiccups but any animal with a diaphragm can get hiccups. So if other animals besides mammals have a diaphragm, they could also get hiccups.

anon28507

Do only mammals get hiccups?

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    • Kittens often get hiccups.
      Kittens often get hiccups.
    • Persistent hiccups from an animal may be a reason to visit a veterinarian.
      By: Fly_dragonfly
      Persistent hiccups from an animal may be a reason to visit a veterinarian.
    • Hiccups can occur in any animal that has a diaphragm.
      By: V&P Photo Studio
      Hiccups can occur in any animal that has a diaphragm.
    • Cats and dogs get hiccups just as humans do, but the hiccups they produce won’t necessarily sound the same.
      By: Ilike
      Cats and dogs get hiccups just as humans do, but the hiccups they produce won’t necessarily sound the same.