There’s nothing worse than getting stubborn hiccups in the middle of the day, especially those pesky ones that won’t go away no matter how many times you hold your breath.
Now you may think of this inconvenience as a uniquely human experience, but most mammals actually get hiccups—including our beloved feline friends! Cats can get hiccups, and kittens get them more often than adult cats. It’s perfectly normal for your cat to hiccup on occasion, but if she experiences frequent or prolonged bouts of hiccups, you may need to take her to the veterinarian.
Want to know whether your kitty’s case of the hiccups is a cause for concern? Read on as we explore why cats get hiccups, how long they typically last, and when this predicament becomes more than a laughing matter. We’ll also advise you on how to prevent hiccups so you can stop them before they start!
What Are Hiccups?
Hiccups are repeated involuntary contractions of the diaphragm. Each spasm causes the voice box and the vocal cords to contract at the same time as the diaphragm, creating a distinct sound that characterizes most hiccups.
While the typical hiccup sound is different in cats from that in humans, the mechanism of hiccups occurs in a similar way for both species.
Why Do Cats Get Hiccups?
There’s a whole laundry list of reasons why hiccups occur in humans, and the same goes for our feline friends. Below are some of the most common causes of hiccups in cats:
Overeating
Overeating or eating too quickly is the most common cause of feline hiccups. Some cats, especially cats in multi-cat households or felines who have medical conditions that give them a ravenous appetite, tend to inhale and gorge on their food without chewing properly.
This results in excess air being swallowed by your cat as she eats, which then causes hiccups. Both overeating and eating too quickly also cause the stomach to swell excessively and press on the diaphragm, triggering a bout of hiccups.
Kittens are more susceptible to hiccups for these same reasons. Whether they’re being breastfed or fed kitten food, they may be overly excited to eat and gulp down food or liquid as quickly as possible. At this point in their lives, they also haven’t developed the right eating habits yet, so they may eat too much or too quickly and get frequent hiccups as a result.
Hairballs
Cats are incredibly fastidious animals by nature, and unlike dogs and other pets, they take the task of cleaning themselves into their own hands. Unfortunately, this comes with a small price: hairballs!
Most cats end up swallowing loose or dead hair as they groom themselves, and this fur forms into hairballs. Cats will try to get rid of stuck hairballs by coughing or retching, which irritates their throats and triggers bouts of hiccups.
Anxiety
While cats may not be capable of expressing it as eloquently as humans do, our feline friends can also suffer from crippling anxiety. There are a number of reasons why this happens, but it’s commonly due to a history of abuse, recent trauma, separation anxiety, improper socialization, or drastic changes in their environment.
Destructive behaviors like aggression, hiding, and urinating or defecating outside the litter box are the most common symptoms of anxiety in cats. But some cats may also get hiccups when they’re anxious or stressed.
Purring
On the flip side, even happy cats can experience hiccups! Cats purr when they feel safe, content, and comfortable. However, purring can cause them to salivate more and swallow air—which can lead to hiccups.
Take note that some cats also purr as a form of self-soothing. So if your cat is hiccuping while purring, make sure to see whether she’s feeling sick or stressed.
Certain Medical Conditions
Some bouts of hiccups may be more concerning than others, especially when they’re prolonged or recurrent. These hiccups may be a symptom of a variety of medical conditions, including:
- Asthma
- Food allergies
- Foreign body ingestion
- Gastroenteritis
- Heart disease
- Neurological disorders
- Parasites
- Tumors
What Are the Symptoms of Hiccups in Cats?
Hiccups often manifest the same way in cats as they do in humans; the only exception is the hiccup sound. While humans make a “hic” sound that lends hiccups their name, cats usually make a quieter chirping, squeaking, or gulping sound.
Some cats may not make sounds at all while hiccuping. Instead, you can tell they’re having a bout of hiccups by the way their abdomens visibly spasm and their heads lunge forward due to the force of the contraction.
How Long Do Hiccups Last in Cats?
Typically, cat hiccups go away in less than a day. Bouts of hiccups that last for days or weeks may indicate a more serious underlying problem and require a trip to the veterinarian.
How Can I Treat My Cat’s Hiccups?
Occasional hiccups might make your cat uncomfortable, but they usually resolve on their own. All you need to do is give her more water to help calm her hiccups down and allow her to digest her food better, especially if overeating is the cause of her hiccups.
Remember: you shouldn’t give your cat any medications or home remedies for human hiccups! These may be unsafe or even downright dangerous to your feline friend.
Instead, you can take preventative measures to keep hiccups from occurring in the first place. Here are some guidelines you can follow to help prevent cat hiccups effectively:
Give smaller meals
If you have a cat who scarfs down her food and has hiccups after every meal, free-feeding may exacerbate her hiccuping problem. Feeding her small meals throughout the day may be a healthier option for her.
Use a puzzle feeder
Cats who eat too quickly may be slowed down by a puzzle feeder. Not only will this help decrease hiccups from eating too fast, but it will also give them more mental and even physical stimulation. Puzzle feeders are especially helpful for overweight or obese cats who experience hiccups occasionally.
Purchase hairball control food
If hairballs are the culprit of your cat’s hiccups, then you might need to give her food designed for hairball control. Doing this can also help prevent other gastrointestinal issues that result from hairball ingestion.
There are many options for this specially formulated food on the market, including both wet food and dry kibble.
Brush your cat regularly
Long-haired cats are more prone to hairballs and may develop hiccups more frequently as a result. Brushing your cat regularly can help get rid of loose fur that can create hairballs.
Manage your cat’s anxiety
If you’ve recently moved to a new residence with your cat, acquired a rescue cat, or had your cat diagnosed with a chronic condition that causes pain, it’s possible that these stressors may be the reason behind your kitty’s hiccups.
There are many ways to gently and properly manage your cat’s anxiety and help her get back to her old self. One of the best ways to do this is to give your anxious kitty a comfy space of her own and isolate her from other cats in the home. You can also play with her more often to help her release some of her nervous energy and give her extra love and attention.
In more serious cases of anxiety, you may need to give your cat anti-anxiety medications as prescribed by your veterinarian.
When Should I Be Concerned About My Cat’s Hiccups?
While cat hiccups are generally mild, they may require veterinary attention if:
- Hiccups are frequent and persistent
- Hiccups last days or weeks
- Hiccups are accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Coughing
- Changes in weight or behavior
In Closing
Just like humans, cats also experience those pesky hiccups we all hate—especially when they eat too much or too fast. Hiccups are usually no cause for concern; all you have to do is let them pass on their own and give your furry friend extra pets in solidarity against those dreaded spasms. However, if your cat’s hiccups are accompanied by alarming symptoms or behavioral changes, it’s best to take her to the veterinarian immediately.