Seizures in Dogs: Warning Signs, Causes & How to Help

Seeing your dog have a seizure for the first time is terrifying. One moment they’re fine, and the next they’re shaking, falling, or completely unresponsive. If this has happened to your pup or you’re worried it might, you’re in the right place.

Seizures in dogs are more common than many pet parents realize, and while they’re always worth taking seriously, they’re also very manageable with the right veterinary care. In this guide, we’ll cover what seizures look like, what causes them, what to do when one happens, and how nutrition and lifestyle can play a role in your dog’s overall neurological health.

Can dogs have seizures?

Yes, dogs can absolutely have seizures. A seizure is a sudden burst of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that temporarily disrupts normal function. They can affect dogs of any age, breed, or size, though some dogs are more predisposed than others.

Seizures are one of the most common neurological conditions seen in veterinary practice. The most frequent cause is epilepsy, but seizures can also be triggered by metabolic issues, toxin exposure, head trauma, or underlying disease. The key is identifying the cause, because treatment and outlook vary widely depending on what’s driving them.

What do seizures look like in dogs?

Seizures don’t always look the way you might expect. They range from dramatic convulsions to subtle episodes that are easy to miss. Most seizures in dogs follow a recognizable three-phase pattern:

Phase 1: The pre-ictal phase (aura)

In the minutes or hours before a seizure, your dog may seem anxious, clingy, restless, or unusually quiet. Some dogs hide. This phase is easy to overlook, but once you’ve seen it a few times you’ll start to recognize your dog’s specific warning signs.

Phase 2: The ictal phase (the seizure itself)

This is the seizure proper, typically lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes. Signs vary by seizure type but may include:

• Convulsions: Uncontrolled shaking or jerking of the body, often with stiffened limbs.
• Falling or loss of balance: Your dog may collapse suddenly and be unable to stand.
• Paddling movements: Legs moving as if running while lying on their side.
• Jaw chomping or excessive drooling: Involuntary mouth movements are common.
• Loss of consciousness: Your dog may be unresponsive and unaware of their surroundings.
• Urinating or defecating: Loss of bladder or bowel control can occur during a seizure.
• Focal seizures: Some dogs experience milder episodes like twitching on one side of the face, repetitive blinking, or sudden behavioral changes like snapping at the air.

Phase 3: The post-ictal phase (recovery)

After the seizure ends, dogs typically go through a recovery period lasting minutes to hours. Your dog may seem disoriented, wobbly, temporarily blind, or unusually hungry or thirsty. This is completely normal and is a result of their brain resetting. Stay calm, speak softly, and give them a quiet space to recover.

What causes seizures in dogs?

There's no single answer to why a seizure can happen. The underlying causes fall into a few broad categories:

• Idiopathic epilepsy: The most common cause, particularly in dogs between 1 and 5 years old. "Idiopathic" means no identifiable structural cause is found. Instead, it's believed to have a genetic basis. Many breeds are predisposed.
• Structural brain disease: Brain tumors, inflammation (encephalitis), or trauma can trigger seizures by directly affecting brain tissue.
• Metabolic causes: Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), liver disease, kidney failure, and electrolyte imbalances can all disrupt normal brain function and cause seizures.
• Toxin exposure: Many common substances are seizure triggers in dogs, including xylitol (found in sugar-free gum and some peanut butters), certain mushrooms, rat poison, and even some insecticides.
• Infectious disease: Conditions like distemper, tick-borne illnesses, and certain fungal infections can cause seizures if they affect the brain or nervous system.
• Thyroid disease: Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have been associated with seizure activity in dogs.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Severe thiamine (B1) deficiency, though uncommon in dogs fed balanced commercial diets, can cause neurological symptoms including seizures.

Dog breeds most prone to seizures

Idiopathic epilepsy has a strong genetic component, and certain breeds are significantly more affected than others. If your dog is on this list, being proactive about neurological health is especially important:

• Belgian Tervuren and Belgian Shepherd: Among the highest reported rates of idiopathic epilepsy of any breed.
• Beagles: A well-documented genetic form of epilepsy runs in many Beagle lines.
• Border Collies: Prone to both idiopathic epilepsy and a specific inherited condition called Ceroid Lipofuscinosis.
• Golden Retrievers: Elevated risk of structural epilepsy alongside their broader predisposition to brain tumors.
• Labrador Retrievers: One of the most commonly affected large breeds, with a familial form of epilepsy well-documented in the breed.
• German Shepherds: Idiopathic epilepsy is common, often presenting in young to middle-aged dogs.
• Dachshunds and Poodles: Both breeds have documented hereditary epilepsy that can appear in young adulthood.

What to do when your dog has a seizure

It's natural to panic, but staying calm is the most important thing you can do for your dog. Here's how to handle it safely:

• Don't put your hands near your dog's mouth. Dogs cannot swallow their tongue during a seizure. Reaching into their mouth puts you at serious risk of being bitten involuntarily.
• Clear the area. Move furniture, stairs, or hard objects away to prevent injury. If possible, cushion their head with a folded towel or blanket.
• Stay nearby but don't restrain them. Holding a seizing dog down can cause additional injury. Stay close, speak calmly, and let the seizure run its course.
• Time the seizure. Note when it started — this is critical information for your vet. If it approaches 5 minutes, call an emergency vet immediately.
• Record it if safe to do so. A short video on your phone can be invaluable for your veterinarian to assess seizure type and severity.
• Keep the environment calm during recovery. Dim lights, reduce noise, and give your dog space. Avoid overwhelming them with too much attention right after.
• Call your vet. Even if the seizure was brief and your dog seems fine, any first-time seizure should be reported to your veterinarian the same day.

How are seizures in dogs diagnosed and treated?

After a seizure, your vet will typically start with a thorough physical and neurological exam, followed by:

• Blood and urine tests: To rule out metabolic causes like liver disease, kidney dysfunction, or low blood sugar.
• Thyroid panel: To check for hormonal imbalances that may contribute to seizure activity.
• MRI or CT scan: If structural brain disease is suspected, advanced imaging helps identify tumors, inflammation, or lesions.
• Cerebrospinal fluid analysis: Sometimes performed alongside MRI to test for infectious or inflammatory brain conditions.

For dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy, treatment typically involves long-term anti-seizure medication. Common options include phenobarbital, potassium bromide, and levetiracetam. Many dogs do very well on medication and go on to live full, happy lives. The goal is always to minimize seizure frequency and intensity while preserving quality of life.

Can diet support neurological health in dogs?

Nutrition isn’t a seizure treatment, but it plays a meaningful supporting role in your dog’s overall neurological health, and certain dietary factors have been studied in the context of epilepsy management.

• Consistent, high-quality nutrition: Metabolic stability matters for brain function. Feeding real, whole-food ingredients helps maintain steady blood sugar and supports liver health, which are both relevant to seizure management.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: DHA and EPA, found in ingredients like salmon and flaxseed oil, have anti-inflammatory properties and have been explored for their potential role in reducing seizure frequency in dogs as a dietary complement to medication.
• Avoiding known toxins: Xylitol, certain artificial sweeteners, and some food additives found in low-quality pet foods can be neurological hazards. Feeding food with transparent, named ingredients eliminates that guesswork.
• Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs): Coconut oil and MCT-enriched diets have been studied in canine epilepsy research, with some early evidence suggesting they may support seizure control as a complement to medication.
• Adequate B vitamins: Thiamine (B1) in particular is critical for nerve function. Well-formulated, complete-nutrition diets ensure your dog isn’t missing any key neurological building blocks.

This is why what goes into your dog’s bowl every day matters. Spot & Tango’s Fresh Dog Food and UnKibble are made with human-grade ingredients consisting of real proteins, omega-rich additions, and nutrient-dense vegetables. For dogs managing chronic health conditions like epilepsy, that kind of ingredient transparency is especially valuable.

When to see a vet

Any seizure in a dog is worth a veterinary conversation. Make an appointment promptly if your dog:

• Has had a first-ever seizure, regardless of how brief
• Is having more frequent seizures than usual
• Takes longer than 30 minutes to fully recover after a seizure
• Is showing other neurological symptoms between seizures (stumbling, head tilt, behavior changes)
• Is already on seizure medication but episodes are increasing in frequency or severity

Final Thoughts on Seizures in Dogs

Watching your dog have a seizure is one of the hardest things a pet parent can experience. Nonetheless, with the right veterinary care, most dogs with epilepsy go on to live full, joyful lives. The keys are early diagnosis, consistent treatment, and giving your dog the healthiest possible foundation to build on, starting with what’s in their bowl.

Spot & Tango’s Fresh and UnKibble recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists using whole, human-grade ingredients. The meals are built to support long-term health, stable energy, and a strong immune system at every life stage.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are seizures painful for dogs?

Most dogs are unconscious or semi-conscious during a seizure and are not believed to experience pain in the moment. However, the physical exertion and disorientation of the post-ictal phase can be distressing. Dogs typically have no memory of the episode once it’s over.

Can a dog die from a seizure?

A single brief seizure is very rarely fatal. However, prolonged seizures lasting more than 5 minutes, or clusters of multiple seizures in a short window, can cause serious complications. This is why any seizure lasting over 5 minutes is a veterinary emergency.

Can seizures in dogs be cured?

It depends on the cause. Seizures triggered by a treatable condition like low blood sugar can often be fully resolved by addressing the underlying problem. Idiopathic epilepsy cannot be cured, but it can be effectively managed with medication, allowing most dogs to live comfortably with a good quality of life.

Can diet alone control my dog’s seizures?

No. Diet alone is not a reliable treatment for canine epilepsy and should never replace veterinary medication when it’s been prescribed. However, nutrition plays a supporting role by maintaining metabolic stability, reducing inflammation, and ensuring your dog is getting all the neurological building blocks they need.