My Dog Is Having a Seizure: What to Do

Call your vet now if

• The seizure lasts longer than about five minutes
• Your dog has several seizures in a row without fully recovering in between
• Your dog has more than one seizure within a day
• They may have eaten something toxic, such as chocolate, medicines, xylitol, slug pellets, rat poison or recreational drugs
• They may be overheated, for example after exercise in warm weather or being left in a hot car
• They do not start to recover within an hour or so, or are struggling to breathe
• This is their first ever seizure, even if they now seem back to normal
• They have a known condition, are pregnant, very young or elderly, or have recently had a head injury

If a seizure is still going on after about five minutes, or seizures are coming in clusters, treat this as an emergency and head to the nearest vet, phoning ahead on the way.

What a seizure can look like

A seizure happens when there is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Many owners describe their dog falling onto their side, going stiff, paddling their legs, jerking, chomping or drooling. Some dogs lose bladder or bowel control. They usually do not seem aware of you during the episode.

Not every seizure is so dramatic. Some dogs have smaller, focal seizures, such as twitching of the face, staring, snapping at the air or shaking of one leg, while staying partly aware. Other conditions, such as fainting, severe pain or shivering, can look similar. You do not need to work out what type it is. Your job is to keep your dog safe and get veterinary advice. If you are unsure whether your dog is having a seizure or simply trembling, our article on why your dog might be shaking may help afterwards.

What to do during the seizure

1. Stay as calm as you can. Seizures are frightening to watch, but most stop on their own within a minute or two. Your dog is not in pain during the seizure itself and is not aware of what is happening.
2. Make the space safe. Move furniture, sharp objects and anything hard away from your dog. If they are near stairs, water or a road, gently guide them away from danger if you can do so safely, ideally by moving the hazard or using a blanket rather than your hands.
3. Keep your hands away from their mouth. Dogs do not swallow their tongue. A dog having a seizure can bite hard without meaning to, so do not try to hold the mouth, pull the tongue or put anything between the teeth.
4. Do not try to hold them still. Restraining a dog during a seizure does not stop it and can injure you both.
5. Reduce noise and light. Turn off the television or music, dim bright lights and keep other pets and children out of the room.
6. Time it. Note the time it starts and stops, using your phone or a clock. Seizures feel much longer than they are, and the length matters to your vet.
7. Film it if you can. A short video taken from a safe distance is very helpful for your vet, who will rarely see a seizure happen in the clinic. Only do this once your dog is safe.

Do not give food, water or any medicine by mouth during or straight after a seizure, as your dog may not be able to swallow safely.

What to do afterwards

After a seizure, many dogs go through a recovery phase. They may seem confused, wobbly, restless, unusually clingy, temporarily blind, very hungry or thirsty, or simply very tired. This can last from minutes to a few hours.

• Keep them somewhere quiet, safe and comfortable, away from stairs and other pets.
• Speak softly and approach calmly. A confused dog may not recognise you straight away, so give them space until they settle.
• Keep them cool, not hot. Avoid heavy blankets unless they feel cold.
• Offer water once they are fully alert and steady, and food a little later.
• Stay with them and watch for any further seizures.

When to call the vet

Phone your vet for any first seizure, even if your dog recovers quickly and seems back to normal. Seizures have many possible causes, from conditions inside the brain to problems elsewhere in the body, toxins or low blood sugar. Your vet will want to examine your dog and may suggest tests to look for a cause.

If your dog has a known seizure condition and already has a plan from your vet, follow that plan, and phone if anything is different from usual, such as longer, more frequent or more severe seizures.

When it is an emergency

Go to the nearest vet straight away, phoning ahead on the way, if:

• A seizure lasts more than about five minutes. Prolonged seizures need urgent treatment to stop them.
• Seizures come one after another without your dog recovering in between, or several happen within a day.
• Poisoning is possible. Bring any packaging or a sample of what they ate. See our toxic foods list and our article on chocolate poisoning for more information.
• Heatstroke is possible. Move your dog to a cool, shaded place, and start cooling them with cool (not ice-cold) water while someone else gets the car ready, then go.

When moving a dog after a prolonged seizure, wrap them loosely in a blanket or towel and keep your face and hands away from their mouth.

Keeping a seizure diary

If your dog has had a seizure, a simple diary can be one of the most useful tools for you and your vet. Petopedia suggests recording:

• The date and time of each seizure
• How long it lasted
• What it looked like, and whether you have a video
• What your dog was doing beforehand, and anything unusual that day
• How long they took to recover and how they behaved afterwards
• Any changes in food, routine or medication

Over time, this record helps your vet spot patterns and decide on the next steps. Bring it to every appointment.

A final word

Watching your dog have a seizure is distressing, and it is natural to feel shaken afterwards. Many dogs with seizures go on to live full, happy lives with the right care. Keep your dog safe, keep notes and stay in close contact with your vet. For other warning signs, see our guide to signs your pet needs a vet.