During the seizure — what to do
- Stay calm. Your dog cannot feel fear in the way they normally do during a seizure, but your calm helps you act effectively.
- Do not put your hands near their mouth. Dogs can bite reflexively during a seizure. They cannot swallow their tongue — this is a myth.
- Do not restrain them. You can guide them gently away from stairs or sharp furniture, but do not hold them down.
- Clear the area. Move furniture, chairs, and other hard objects away from your dog.
- Time the seizure. Start a timer the moment seizure activity begins. This information is critical for the vet.
- Reduce stimulation. Turn off bright lights and loud sounds if possible.
- Film it if safe to do so. A short video helps the vet understand what type of seizure activity occurred.
Call us and come in immediately if
- The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes (status epilepticus)
- Your dog has more than one seizure within 24 hours (cluster seizures)
- Your dog does not regain normal consciousness within 30 minutes of the seizure ending
- Your dog injures themselves during the seizure
- You suspect toxin exposure triggered the seizure
- This is the first seizure in a dog older than 5 years (higher concern for brain disease)
After the seizure — the post-ictal phase
Once the seizure activity stops, your dog enters the post-ictal phase. This can look alarming but is expected. Your dog may seem blind, confused, extremely tired, or may pace and vocalize. They may urinate or defecate. This is not a second seizure — it is the brain recovering.
Your role during the post-ictal phase:
- Keep them in a calm, safe room away from stairs
- Speak quietly and calmly — do not overwhelm them
- Offer water once they are steady enough to drink safely
- Do not leave them alone until they are fully recovered
- Take notes on what happened to share with the vet
What causes seizures in dogs?
The two main categories are intracranial (originating in the brain) and extracranial (caused by a systemic problem affecting the brain). Common causes include:
- Idiopathic epilepsy — the most common cause in dogs 1 to 5 years old, with no identifiable underlying disease
- Toxin exposure — xylitol, metaldehyde (slug bait), permethrin in cats, certain medications
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) — especially in toy breeds and diabetic dogs
- Liver disease — toxins not cleared by the liver affect the brain
- Kidney disease — uremia can trigger seizures
- Brain tumors — more common in older dogs
- Infectious disease affecting the brain
- Head trauma