Considering that cats are usually quiet animals, the sudden sound of a hiccup can catch you off guard. And if you’re a new cat owner, it might even worry you a little. But yes, cats absolutely can get hiccups, and in most cases, it’s completely normal.
Just like hiccups in humans, cat hiccups are caused by an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm, the dome-shaped muscle that sits between your cat’s lungs and stomach and controls breathing. When the diaphragm contracts unexpectedly, your cat takes a sudden sharp breath, and when that air hits the vocal cords, they snap shut and create the classic “hic” sound. In cats, that sound is often more of a tiny chirp, or sometimes no sound at all.
Understanding why cat hiccups happen, and when they’re worth paying attention to, can save you a lot of worry the next time your cat starts hiccupping.
What Do Cat Hiccups Look and Sound Like?
Cat hiccups don’t always sound like human hiccups. You might hear a small chirp or squeak, or you might just notice a brief, rhythmic jerk of your cat’s head or body with no sound at all. Some cat hiccups are completely silent and only visible as a small stomach or throat spasm.
Because of this, cat owners sometimes confuse hiccups with sneezing, coughing, retching, or reverse sneezing. Here’s how to tell the difference:
- Hiccups are rhythmic and mild, with a brief body jerk or small sound. They don’t seem to distress your cat.
- Coughing is more forceful and irregular, and may involve a hunched posture or extended neck.
- Sneezing involves a more obvious, sudden expulsion of air, usually through the nose.
- Retching or gagging involves an extended neck and more visible effort, and is often hairball-related.
If you’re not sure what you’re witnessing, try to capture it on video to share with your vet.
What Causes Hiccups in Cats?
There are several common triggers for hiccups in cats, ranging from completely harmless to occasionally worth investigating.
Eating too fast. This is the most common cause. When your cat gulps down food quickly, they swallow excess air along with it. That air irritates the diaphragm and can set off hiccups. If your cat regularly hiccups after meals, speed-eating is most likely the culprit. Wet cat food can sometimes make fast eating worse since there’s less need to chew, so feeding smaller portions more frequently is worth trying.
Hairballs. As your cat’s throat tries to dislodge swallowed fur during grooming, the esophagus can become irritated, and that irritation can travel to the nerve that controls the diaphragm and trigger hiccups. Hairball-related hiccups are especially common in cats that groom heavily. Regular brushing is one of the best ways to reduce how much fur your cat swallows, and our guide to grooming aggressive cats has tips if your cat fights the brush.
Overeating. A very full stomach can push up against the diaphragm and cause spasms, especially right after a large meal.
Excitement or stress. Changes in breathing patterns caused by excitement or stress can lead to brief hiccupping in some cats. If you just came home from a trip, introduced a new toy, or made a big change at home, this could be the reason.
Changes in air or environment. Shifts in air pressure, humidity, or temperature can occasionally affect your cat’s respiratory system, particularly if they’re sensitive to environmental changes or have underlying respiratory issues.
Developmental reasons in kittens. Kittens are more prone to hiccups than adult cats because the phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm, is still maturing. Their enthusiastic, fast-eating habits also play a role. If you’re raising a new kitten, our new kitten guide covers feeding practices and other basics to help prevent hiccups from the start. Kitten hiccups are generally harmless and become less frequent as they grow.
When Should I Worry About My Cat’s Hiccups?
The vast majority of cat hiccups are nothing to worry about. They typically pass on their own within a few minutes to a couple of hours. However, some situations warrant a call or visit to your vet.
Contact your vet if:
- Hiccups last longer than a few hours, or don’t fully resolve within a day
- Your cat hiccups regularly, daily or near-daily, without an obvious trigger
- Hiccupping is accompanied by vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite, lethargy, or weight loss
- Your cat seems distressed, is breathing with effort, or is wheezing
- An older cat that has never hiccupped before suddenly begins hiccupping persistently
In chronic or severe cases, persistent hiccups can be a sign of an underlying condition, including feline asthma, heart disease, intestinal parasites, food allergies, gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux, ingestion of a foreign body, or, less commonly, tumors or respiratory infections.
Occasional, brief hiccups are normal. But if you’re noticing a pattern or accompanying symptoms, it’s always better to loop in your vet sooner rather than later.
What to do if Your Cat Hiccups
In most cases, the best thing you can do is let the hiccups pass on their own. Here’s what to do (and what to avoid):
Do:
- Keep your cat calm and in a quiet, low-stress environment
- Make sure fresh water is available
- Monitor your cat for any additional symptoms
- Film the episode if it’s unusual, so your vet can see exactly what’s happening
Don’t:
- Startle or scare your cat. Unlike the old human remedy, frightening a cat will only add stress.
- Try to massage the chest or force them to breathe differently
- Force-feed them water or food during an episode
If hiccups are happening regularly after meals, that’s a solvable problem. Feeding smaller portions more frequently throughout the day, or using a slow feeder bowl or puzzle feeder, can pace your cat’s eating and reduce how much air they swallow. This is also a good opportunity to take a look at what you’re feeding your cat. Choosing quality wet cat food with the right ingredients can support overall digestive health.
For hairball-related hiccups, regular brushing reduces the amount of fur your cat ingests in the first place. Your vet may also recommend a hairball-management diet or a supplement like Laxatone to help keep fur moving through the digestive tract. Cat grass is another natural option that some cat owners use to support digestion and hairball management.
FAQs for Can Cats Get Hiccups
Cat hiccups are often described as a tiny chirp or squeak, higher-pitched than human hiccups, and sometimes completely silent. You may only notice a small body jerk or stomach spasm.
Vets cannot get rid of hiccups in cats. However, if there is something wrong with your cat and hiccups are a result, your vet can help with your cat’s health.
Yes, like all mammals, cats can get hiccups. They’re caused by involuntary spasms of the diaphragm and are usually harmless.
Yes, kittens hiccup more frequently than adult cats because their nervous systems are still developing, and they tend to eat quickly and energetically. These hiccups are generally harmless and fade as kittens mature.
Most cat hiccups resolve within a few seconds to a few minutes, though a mild episode can last up to a couple of hours. If hiccups persist beyond a day, contact your vet.
Occasional, brief hiccups are normal. However, if they’re frequent, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, labored breathing, or lethargy, they can sometimes indicate an underlying health issue. When in doubt, call your vet.
Not for the occasional brief episode. But yes, if hiccups last more than a day, happen frequently, or come with other signs of illness, a vet visit is a smart call.
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