- Home
- Dog Treatments
- How to Manage Seizures in Dogs
How to Manage Seizures in Dogs
Written By Kevin Hughes
Published: 06/04/2017Updated: 03/03/2025
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
Seizures in dogs
Seizures and convulsions affect many dogs. Because a seizure is often unexpected, when a pet suffers a seizure it can come as an unpleasant surprise. It’s frightening for a pet parent to experience and confusing for the affected dog or cat.
Many pet owners feel helpless when their four-legged friend has a seizure. What should you do to help your pet? Will it happen again in the future, and if so, is there a way to stop seizures in dogs immediately?
Seizures are a serious issue, so let’s explain what causes seizures in dogs, and how to manage seizures to ensure your pet recovers swiftly.
Many pet owners feel helpless when their four-legged friend has a seizure. What should you do to help your pet? Will it happen again in the future, and if so, is there a way to stop seizures in dogs immediately?
Seizures are a serious issue, so let’s explain what causes seizures in dogs, and how to manage seizures to ensure your pet recovers swiftly.
Managing seizures in dogs
During consultation, your vet will try to determine what might be causing your dog to have seizures. They will check for any underlying health conditions and, if identified, will prescribe a course of treatment to help improve that.
Medication might be prescribed to help manage seizures. Two examples of medication used to treat epilepsy are phenobarbital and potassium bromide, though there are side effects with both so you should consider usage carefully and prepare to discuss any issues with your vet if they arise.
Once prescribed, your dog is likely to be on anti-epilepsy medication for life to help manage the condition.
Medication might be prescribed to help manage seizures. Two examples of medication used to treat epilepsy are phenobarbital and potassium bromide, though there are side effects with both so you should consider usage carefully and prepare to discuss any issues with your vet if they arise.
Once prescribed, your dog is likely to be on anti-epilepsy medication for life to help manage the condition.
Are there any natural remedies for managing seizures in dogs?
If the thought of lifelong medication for your dog is off-putting, or your vet chooses not to prescribe any – if your pet doesn’t suffer seizures regularly, they may not – you might want to consider natural, preventative remedies instead. Are there any natural remedies to help manage the occurrence of seizures in dogs? There are! Before we look at some of these, however, it’s important to note that even 'natural' products can have serious side effects, however.
There are several natural remedies and methods designed to prevent or stop seizures in dogs. Some of the more common are:
Essential Fatty Acids
Pet owners and veterinarians alike recommend routinely introducing fatty acids into a dog’s diet. Omega-3 doses can be bought in pills, sprays, or oils. The recommended dosage varies by dog’s size, but one tablespoon per fifty pounds is standard.
Several studies both on humans and dogs have shown that while fatty acids aren’t proven to stop seizures, they may help increase a patient’s seizure threshold.
Dietary Changes
Dye used in foods have been linked to causing seizures in dogs, particularly a dye called red dye 40. Pet owners should investigate dog foods and treats before trusting them. Several other foods are proven to be dangerous and toxic to dogs as well and could be causing seizures, such as onion, garlic, bell peppers, chocolate, or grapes.
Homeopathic Oils
Oils are a popular choice as they give a pet owner the ability to administer medicine to their pet during a seizure. Due to the fact that seizures cause the jaw and teeth to clamp, attempting to give a dog medicine in the middle of a seizure is difficult or impossible.
Natural oils can be rubbed into the skin or even on the gums of a seizing animal, carefully to avoid being accidentally bitten. Thus, homeopathic substances are another natural remedy to seizures, such as:
- Belladonna
- Aconite
- Choline or Cholidin
Acupressure
Acupressure is said to help ease an animal’s tension during their seizure. For example, the pressure point at the base of a dog’s nose, right above their upper lip can be pressed, with moderate pressure, for up to a minute.
Melatonin
In animals that experience night seizures, administering melatonin (the naturally-occurring chemical released by the brain to induce sleep) can help.
Honey
If a dog has diabetes or is hypoglycemic, a teaspoon of honey once or twice a day, depending on frequency or severity of seizures, is suggested. Veterinary care to control diabetes is also recommended.
Efficacy of Natural Seizure Remedies in Dogs
Every animal varies in their seizure threshold. A high threshold indicates an animal’s predisposition to not experience or frequently experience seizures, while a low threshold indicates the opposite. When it comes to treating seizures with natural remedies and methods, the most success gained will be with a dog whose seizure threshold is high.
In some cases, genetics will predispose a dog to developing epilepsy. In this case, most veterinarians will prescribe medication in order to reach the desired result: pet experiences less severe seizures and less frequently.
Therefore, the efficacy of natural remedies varies widely and is typically utilized as more of a preventative measure than a wholly-healing treatment. The underlying cause should always be investigated by a veterinarian before trying natural remedies.
Therefore, the efficacy of natural remedies varies widely and is typically utilized as more of a preventative measure than a wholly-healing treatment. The underlying cause should always be investigated by a veterinarian before trying natural remedies.
Natural Seizure Remedies Recovery in Dogs
Due to the fact that natural remedies and methods do not require surgery or high doses of medication, there is no recovery period associated with the treatment itself. Many natural remedies do have side effects, however.
Cost of How to Manage Seizures in Dogs
Most natural seizure remedies, such as homeopathic oils, essential fatty acid pills, and other natural medicines, like melatonin, can cost anywhere between $15 to $200 per bottle or package. However, it’s highly recommended by veterinarians that the root cause of seizures be determined before treating a dog with solely natural resources.
Because seizures may be brought on by serious issues such as thyroid problems or even cancer, affected dogs should undergo a rigorous exam to determine the source of its seizures.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Dog Natural Seizure Remedies Considerations
Most natural seizure remedies, such as homeopathic oils, essential fatty acid pills, and other natural medicines, like melatonin, can cost anywhere between $15 to $200 per bottle or package.
However, it’s highly recommended by veterinarians that the root cause of seizures be determined before treating a dog with solely natural resources. Because seizures may be brought on by serious issues such as thyroid problems or even cancer, affected dogs should undergo a rigorous exam to determine the source of their seizures.
However, it’s highly recommended by veterinarians that the root cause of seizures be determined before treating a dog with solely natural resources. Because seizures may be brought on by serious issues such as thyroid problems or even cancer, affected dogs should undergo a rigorous exam to determine the source of their seizures.
Preventing seizures in dogs
Seizure prevention can be a tricky science as there are many reasons for their occurrence, but any of the following steps can be taken to help prevent and/or ease the severity or duration of a seizure:
Seek a veterinarian’s advice
A dog that experiences seizures, whether the episodes are frequent or infrequent, should be taken to a medical professional and undergo a series of tests. This is always the first step in helping an epileptic animal.
Know dietary needs
The elimination of toxic and seizure-inducing foods from a dog’s diet is the surest method of preventing seizures. Similarly, a pet owner should know any allergies of their pet, as seizures may occur as a bodily response to exposure.
Avoid overheating
Dogs will pant heavily when they are uncomfortably hot. Pet owners should avoid exposing their dogs to long walks in high temperatures or leaving them in cramped, hot spaces or outside without water or shade.
Introduce homeopathic products
Many natural herbs and plants aim to calm tension in the body, making them great aides to pets during a seizure attack.
Natural remedies are not cited as the most reliable treatment for seizures in dogs by veterinarians, but rather as preventative measures that may help. In the end, a dog who is on a healthy, routine diet, free of toxins or any foods they may be allergic to, as well as not put in situations that could lead to overheating (left in a hot car or backyard without shade, taken on a long walk on a hot day, etc.) is less likely to develop severe seizures.
Seizures can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your dog has seizures or is at risk, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Trupanion. Find the perfect plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
Natural Seizure Remedies Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Rhodesian ridge back
Fifteen Years
121 found this helpful
121 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Seizures
My sons dog is having seizures and drooling and peeing himself. Two of them in less than 24 hours. How can we help him?
Dec. 30, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
121 Recommendations
Hello, if he is had more than 2 seizures in 24 hours, he needs to be on seizure medication. It would be best for him to go to the emergency vet today. They can give him medication to help him stop having seizures. WIth him being 15 years old most likely these seizures are coming from a brain tumor or other issue with his brain. They can help determine the cause of these seizures. With seizures, the more your dog has the more likely they are to be very bad and he may start having a seizure and never stop.
I would recommend going to the emergency vet today.
Jan. 1, 2021
Was this question and answer helpful?
Pit Bull
Two Years
47 found this helpful
47 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Seizures
Please help my 1 1/2 ur old pit mix, 72hrs ago started having seizures and has had 23 of them as of 5:34pm today
Dec. 15, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
47 Recommendations
I'm sorry to hear this.
Seizures can occur for many reasons in a young dog including toxin ingestion, liver disease, an infection etc.
This many fits is a real concern and he needs to be assessed by a vet urgently. The concern is that he may have a prolonged seizure that causes permanent damage.
The vet will examine him and will likely run some blood tests so we can try to determine what is going on.
He will also be started on anti seizure medicine.
Dec. 15, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
