Seizures is one of the health conditions that dogs owners should know about, because it affects quality of life, and it is easier to manage when it is caught early. This guide explains what seizures is, the signs to watch for, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a dog that has it. Every suggestion here is general guidance, not a prescription for an individual dog.
This guide covers seizures in dogs in full: what it is, the signs to watch for, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a dog that has it. Every suggestion here is general guidance, not a prescription for an individual dog, and a dog with seizures should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual dog, its age, and how advanced the condition is.
What is seizures in dogs?
Seizures are a condition where the brain fires abnormally, and the dog loses control of its body for a short time — usually less than a few minutes. During a seizure, a dog may fall over, stiffen, paddle its legs, drool, and lose control of its bladder or bowels, and it will not respond to its name. Seizures are frightening to watch, but most seizures are not painful, and most dogs recover within minutes — though a seizure that lasts more than five minutes, or several seizures in a row, is an emergency, and the dog needs a vet at once.
The rest of this guide covers the signs, the causes, how seizures is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a dog that has it. A dog with seizures should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual dog, its age, and how advanced the condition is — and because some of the signs of seizures can also be signs of other conditions, which need a vet to tell apart. The dog ideal weight calculator works out a target weight range, and the when is a dog considered a senior guide gives the senior thresholds by size.
Signs of seizures in dogs
The signs of seizures in dogs are listed below. Not every dog with seizures will show every sign, and some dogs will show only one or two — but any one of these signs, especially if it lasts more than a few days or gets worse, is worth mentioning to a vet. A dog that is bright, eating, drinking, and otherwise well between episodes is less likely to be seriously ill than a dog that is lethargic, off its food, or losing weight — but the only way to know is to check.
- Falling over, stiffening, and paddling the legs, often with drooling.
- A dog that is confused, disoriented, or blind for a while after a seizure.
- Twitching or jerking in one part of the body, such as the face or one leg.
- A dog that stares, is unresponsive, or seems not to recognise its owner.
- Drooling, chomping, or foaming at the mouth during a seizure.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control during a seizure.
- Restlessness, pacing, or clinginess before a seizure, in some dogs.
If two or more of those signs apply, or if one sign is severe — a dog that cannot urinate, cannot breathe, cannot stand, or has had a seizure lasting more than five minutes — see a vet the same day. Those are signs that need a vet, not waiting. Bring a note of when the signs started, how often they happen, and what the dog eats and drinks — that information helps the vet far more than a guess about the cause. The how to tell if your dog is overweight guide gives the hands-on check for weight, which matters for many of these conditions.
Causes and risk factors for seizures
Seizures have many causes, and they differ between dogs and cats. In dogs, the most common cause is epilepsy, where the brain fires abnormally for no clear reason, and which often starts in young adults. In cats, seizures are more often caused by something else — a brain problem, a liver problem, low blood sugar, or a toxin. Low blood sugar, kidney disease, and liver disease can all cause seizures in both, and some medicines and toxins can trigger them. In many cases the exact cause is never found, and the vet treats the seizures rather than the cause.
Some dogs are more prone to seizures than others, because of their genes, their breed, their size, or their age — but breed and age are not destiny, and a dog of any breed can develop seizures. What an owner can control is weight, food, exercise, and vet checks: a dog at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, is less likely to develop seizures and will cope better with it if it does. A dog that is overweight, that eats a poor diet, or that never sees a vet is more likely to develop seizures and to have it found late, when it is harder to treat.
How seizures is diagnosed
A vet diagnoses seizures by taking a history — when they happen, how long they last, and what the dog does before, during, and after — and by running blood tests to check for the conditions that can cause them, such as low blood sugar, kidney disease, and liver disease. The vet may also refer the dog for a brain scan, to look for a problem in the brain. A dog that has had a seizure should be checked promptly, and a video of the seizure, if it is safe to take one, helps the vet far more than a description. A seizure that lasts more than five minutes, or several seizures in a row, is an emergency.
If you are worried about your dog, see a vet and mention seizures by name, with the signs you have seen and when they started. Bring a note of what the dog eats, how much, and any medicines it takes, and whether it has had seizures or a related condition before. A video of the signs, if it is safe to take one, helps the vet far more than a description — especially for seizures, limping, or breathing problems. Do not try to diagnose seizures yourself, and do not buy medicines or special diets for it without veterinary advice, because the wrong treatment can make it worse.
Treatment and management of seizures
Treatment depends on the cause and on how often the seizures happen. A dog that has had one seizure may not need medicine, and the vet may simply watch it. A dog that has seizures often will usually need a daily medicine, prescribed by the vet, to reduce how often they happen and how severe they are. The medicine must be given every day, at the same times, and it must never be stopped suddenly, because stopping it can cause more seizures. The vet will also treat the cause, if it can be found. During a seizure, keep the dog safe: move furniture away, do not put your hand in its mouth, and time the seizure — and call the vet if it lasts more than five minutes.
Treatment is a decision made with the vet, weighing the dog's age, health, and quality of life against the treatment and its side effects. Some owners choose not to treat, and to keep the dog comfortable instead — and that is a valid choice, made with the vet, not on the basis of a web page. Whatever is decided, the treatment must be followed every day, at the same times, and the dog must be checked regularly, because seizures changes over time, and the treatment needs to change with it. Do not stop a medicine suddenly, and do not change the dose without veterinary advice.
Living with a dog with seizures
A dog with seizures can live a full and happy life with the right care, but it needs a routine: medicine every day at the same times, regular vet checks with blood tests, and a safe home. The owner must know what to do during a seizure — keep the dog safe, move furniture away, do not put a hand in its mouth, time the seizure, and call the vet if it lasts more than five minutes or if there are several in a row. A dog with seizures should not be left alone near water or high places, and it should not be exercised hard when it is hot. Mention any change to the vet promptly, because a change in seizures may mean the dose needs adjusting.
Keep a routine: the same times for food, medicines, walks, and play, the same places for furniture, food, and water, and a calm, predictable home. Keep a note of appetite, drinking, weight, and behaviour, and mention any change to the vet promptly — a change that lasts more than a few days, or that gets worse, is worth a vet visit. Keep the dog at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise at a level that suits its body, and keep vet checks regular: once a year as an adult, and twice a year as a senior. The senior dog diet guide covers feeding older dogs, and the dog calorie calculator works out daily calories for any weight.
Can seizures be prevented?
Seizures cannot always be prevented, because much of them is about genes and chance — but the risk can be reduced. Keep the dog away from toxins, and do not give medicines without veterinary advice, because some medicines and toxins trigger seizures. Give any prescribed medicine every day, at the same times, and never stop it suddenly. Keep a diary of the seizures — when they happen, how long they last, and what happened before — because the pattern often shows a trigger, and it helps the vet to set the dose.
Early checks matter most: have the dog checked regularly, so seizures is found early, when treatment works best. Keep the dog at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, and mention any change in drinking, eating, weight, or behaviour to your vet early, because a change caught early is easier to treat than one left for weeks.
For related reading, see the dog ideal weight calculator, the dog body condition score chart, the how to tell if your dog is overweight guide, the senior dog diet guide, the dog calorie calculator, the when is a dog considered a senior guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is seizures in dogs?
Seizures are a condition where the brain fires abnormally, and the dog loses control of its body for a short time — usually less than a few minutes. During a seizure, a dog may fall over, stiffen, paddle its legs, drool, and lose control of its bladder or bowels, and it will not respond to its name. Seizures are frightening to watch, but most seizures are not painful, and most dogs recover within minutes — though a seizure that lasts more than five minutes, or several seizures in a row, is an emergency, and the dog needs a vet at once.
What are the signs of seizures in dogs?
The most common signs are: Falling over, stiffening, and paddling the legs, often with drooling. A dog that is confused, disoriented, or blind for a while after a seizure. Twitching or jerking in one part of the body, such as the face or one leg. See the full list above for every sign to watch for, and see a vet promptly if two or more apply, or if one sign is severe.
What causes seizures in dogs?
Seizures have many causes, and they differ between dogs and cats. In dogs, the most common cause is epilepsy, where the brain fires abnormally for no clear reason, and which often starts in young adults. In cats, seizures are more often caused by something else — a brain problem, a liver problem, low blood sugar, or a toxin. Low blood sugar, kidney disease, and liver disease can all cause seizures in both, and some medicines and toxins can trigger them. In many cases the exact cause is never found, and the vet treats the seizures rather than the cause.
How is seizures diagnosed?
A vet diagnoses seizures by taking a history — when they happen, how long they last, and what the dog does before, during, and after — and by running blood tests to check for the conditions that can cause them, such as low blood sugar, kidney disease, and liver disease. The vet may also refer the dog for a brain scan, to look for a problem in the brain. A dog that has had a seizure should be checked promptly, and a video of the seizure, if it is safe to take one, helps the vet far more than a description. A seizure that lasts more than five minutes, or several seizures in a row, is an emergency.
How is seizures treated?
Treatment depends on the cause and on how often the seizures happen. A dog that has had one seizure may not need medicine, and the vet may simply watch it. A dog that has seizures often will usually need a daily medicine, prescribed by the vet, to reduce how often they happen and how severe they are. The medicine must be given every day, at the same times, and it must never be stopped suddenly, because stopping it can cause more seizures. The vet will also treat the cause, if it can be found. During a seizure, keep the dog safe: move furniture away, do not put your hand in its mouth, and time the seizure — and call the vet if it lasts more than five minutes.
When should a dog with seizures see a vet?
See a vet promptly if the dog shows any of the signs above, especially if they last more than a few days or get worse — and the same day if the dog cannot urinate, cannot breathe, cannot stand, has had a seizure lasting more than five minutes, or is lethargic or off its food. Bring a note of when the signs started and what the dog eats and drinks. A dog with seizures should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual dog, its age, and how advanced the condition is.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.