Cats get hiccups, like humans can. Find out what to do if your cat has hiccups and how you can prevent cat hiccupping
Cats may be a different species from us, but we do share a few similarities. We both like feeling safe and warm. We both need exercise and nutritious food (although we eat very different things!). We’re both prone to the strange phenomenon of hiccups.
Like humans can get hiccups, cats can too. Hiccups, or hiccoughs, are caused by a spasm of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the dome-shaped muscle that sits between our lungs and stomach. This causes us to suddenly inhale air through our mouth. When this air hits our voice box in our throat, the vocal cords suddenly close. This creates an involuntary ‘hic’ sound. This is also how cats get hiccups.
How do I know if my cat has hiccups?
As in humans, the symptoms of cat hiccups can range from being quite obvious to more subtle. You may hear your cat make a sudden ‘hic’ noise from their mouth and jerk their head. Or their hiccups may only present as a slight spasm of the throat or stomach and be completely silent.
If your cat has hiccups, they should appear otherwise normal. There should be no coughing, sneezing, twitching or changes to their breathing. If they are showing other symptoms, speak to your vet for advice. Try taking a video of your cat so you can show the vet what you are concerned about. Any changes in your cat’s breathing need urgent veterinary care.
Possible causes of cat hiccups
Hiccupping is more common in kittens than adult cats, but cats can get hiccups at any age. The main cause of hiccups is eating too much or too quickly. If your cat gets hiccups after eating, it could mean that they have overeaten or scoffed down their food too fast. Not chewing their food properly could cause them to swallow extra air. This can trigger a spasm of the diaphragm.
How long do cat hiccups last?
Cat hiccups are usually infrequent and nothing to worry about. The hiccupping will normally last for no longer than a few hours and resolve on its own. But if your cat is getting hiccups regularly, or if their hiccupping lasts for longer than a few hours, speak to your vet. There could be an underlying medical cause.
How to get rid of cat hiccups
If your cat has hiccups, they should go away on their own within a few hours. It’s important not to try the popular technique for curing human hiccups; giving them a fright or making them jump. This will only cause your cat more stress and could lead to other health or behaviour problems. Instead, it will be much more helpful to provide them with a calm, quiet environment where they can relax. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water to drink if they want to.
How to prevent cat hiccups
If your cat is getting hiccups because they are eating too much or too quickly, try to slow down their eating. Feed them their daily food ration in more frequent but smaller potions throughout the day. You can also try placing their food into puzzle feeders, to encourage them to hunt for it. Find more advice on feeding your cat.
