Can Rabbits Get Hiccups?


If you have ever watched your bun profusely, you will have noticed that he often does some weird things. Many pet owners find that they observe behaviors in their rabbits that seem a little unusual, but are in fact, very normal. One such thing is rabbit hiccups; but wait, can rabbits even get hiccups?

Rabbits can develop a case of hiccups but for the most part, this is absolutely normal. Hiccups are caused by an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscle and are typically harmless.

But even knowing that hiccups are a normal thing for your bunny, you may still be concerned about when it becomes a problem. Unfortunately, while hiccups are normal in most cases, there may be times when they could be cause for concern. Let’s find out more.

Do Rabbits Get Hiccups?

One of the most common problems where rabbit hiccups are concerned is that many owners will mistake this normal bodily function for something much more serious. The thing is that when a rabbit hiccups, it typically does so much more quickly than humans. Many owners may mistake this for the rabbit having some kind of fit or seizure.

However, this is not the case. You may notice your rabbit bobbing his head up and down as he hiccups and these movements may happen in quick succession. But provided that the rabbit only has the hiccups for a few minutes, then this is totally normal. In some cases, this can be a sign that there is an underlying health problem; most commonly, a respiratory infection.

If your rabbit continues hiccuping for longer than a few hours, then it may be a good idea to have him seen by a vet. What’s more, there are times when poorly rabbits may hiccup for days at a time, and in these cases, medical attention should always be sought.

It can be difficult to tell when the hiccups may be related to something more serious, after all, it isn’t unheard of for normal hiccups to last for a little longer than usual. That being said, if they are a sign of illness, then you will typically find that they are accompanied by other symptoms. These may be any of the following:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Refusing to drink water
  • Appearing in pain, for example hunching over or gritting the teeth
  • Trouble passing bowel movements

Any of these symptoms could be an indication that the rabbit is having digestive problems. It is OK to leave these symptoms alone for 24 hours to see if they pass. But if nothing has changed and any of the symptoms remain, it is time to see the vet.

The problem for rabbits when they have digestive upset is that they are not able to get rid of any bacteria or foods that are causing harm. In humans, if we ingest something harmful, we will vomit. But rabbits cannot do this. In addition to digestive problems, as we mentioned earlier, hiccups could be a sign of problems with breathing. In this case, you may notice the following accompanying symptoms:

  • Lower body temperature
  • Shivering or shaking
  • Signs of stress

One of the worst problems in terms of respiration for bunnies is known as snuffles. If not treated, this could be fatal so it is vital that the issue is addressed as soon as possible. If it is a case of snuffles then there will likely be even more symptoms that give this away:

  • Runny eyes or nose
  • Fatigue/lethargy
  • Refusing to be touched or held
  • Sneezing
  • Attempting to scratch the ears or tilting the head backward

What Causes Hiccups In Rabbits?

Hiccups in rabbits are caused by exactly the same physical event as in humans. Just like us, rabbits have a muscular membrane in the abdomen, known as the diaphragm. This muscle can contract involuntarily. As this happens, the vocal cords quickly close, and this is what causes the sound that we recognize as a hiccup.

One of the most common reasons that a rabbit will develop a case of the hiccups is if they have just eaten. Particularly if they were eating too quickly. This is again something that they have in common with us. If you have ever wolfed down a tasty meal, you will notice that you likely end up hiccuping away for a few minutes.

The reason that this happens is that when a bunny eats too quickly, they end up ingesting a lot of air along with their food. Air is not great inside the body when it isn’t in the lungs and can cause irritation to the delicate diaphragm, resulting in it going into these small spasms.

Another way that your rabbit might swallow air is if they have been exercising a lot. As your bun runs around the garden or the home, which they love to do, they may get over-excited and swallow a lot of air. Again, this will have the same result, and hiccups are likely to follow the play session.

Finally, it can pay to take a look at what the rabbit has been eating. In some cases, owners may feel as though the food has not been eaten quickly and this can leave them wondering what the problem could be. If you have given your rabbit a new type of food and they have started hiccuping after, it could be that the food is the culprit. Simply avoid offering it in the future.

What Do Bunny Hiccups Sound Like?

When your rabbit hiccups, it may be much quieter than when a human hiccups. This is what can cause a lot of concern because, with the absence of sound, it merely looks like the rabbit is in a seizure.

That being said, sometimes a rabbit may hiccup audibly and make the classic hic sound that we are so familiar with. But you may need to listen carefully.

How To Get Rid Of Rabbit Hiccups

A lot of us are aware of many old wives’ tales about how to stop hiccups such as holding the breath, hanging upside down, or making the sufferer jump. While these things may work for humans, none of them should be considered effective hiccup treatments for rabbits.

Rabbits are very timid creatures as it is and doing anything to make them jump could do more harm than good. Not to mention, this could frighten them to the point that they lose trust in you and we know how hard you’ll have worked to build that bunny bond.

You should also never try to stop the rabbit from being able to breathe. Again, this might solve your own hiccups but it will do nothing but terrify your rabbit. Normally, the hiccups will go away on their own. But there may be a way you can help if the hiccups seem to be distressing your pet.

By gently placing two fingers on the abdomen above where the diaphragm would be, and applying a very small amount of pressure, you may dislodge any trapped air. However, this should only be done if it appears that the rabbit is distressed since it could hurt your pet and scare it.

Darren

Darren is the founder and editor at Bunny Advice and has been caring for rabbits for over a decade. He has a passion for helping animals and sharing his experience and knowledge with others.

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