What to Do If Your Dog Is Having a Seizure

What to Do During a Dog Seizure

Stay Calm

Your dog is unconscious during a seizure and cannot feel pain. Your calm presence helps you act effectively and prevents you from making the situation worse.

Do NOT Put Your Hand in Your Dog's Mouth

Dogs cannot swallow their tongue during a seizure — this is a myth. Putting your hand near a seizing dog's mouth will result in a serious bite. Keep your hands away from the mouth.

Keep Your Dog Safe from Injury

• Clear the area of furniture, stairs, and hard objects
• Place a cushion or folded blanket under the head
• Do not restrain your dog — let the seizure run its course
• Keep other pets and children away

Time the Seizure

Note when the seizure started. This is critical information for your vet. A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes (status epilepticus) is a life-threatening emergency — go to the emergency vet immediately while the seizure is still happening.

Record If Possible

If you can safely do so, record a short video on your phone. This helps your vet characterize the seizure type and severity.

After the Seizure (Post-Ictal Phase)

After the seizure stops, your dog will enter the post-ictal phase — a period of confusion, disorientation, temporary blindness, or excessive thirst and hunger. This is normal and can last minutes to hours.

• Speak calmly and reassuringly
• Keep the environment quiet and calm
• Don't offer food or water until your dog is fully alert
• Keep other pets away — a disoriented dog may be reactive

When to Go to the Emergency Vet Immediately

• Seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
• Multiple seizures within 24 hours (cluster seizures)
• Your dog doesn't regain consciousness between seizures
• First seizure ever — always warrants same-day vet evaluation
• Seizure in a puppy or senior dog
• Suspected poisoning as the cause

When to Call Your Vet (Non-Emergency)

• Single seizure that resolved in under 5 minutes in a dog with known epilepsy
• Call within a few hours to report and discuss

Common Causes of Seizures in Dogs

• Idiopathic epilepsy (most common — genetic, no underlying cause found)
• Toxin ingestion
• Brain tumor
• Liver disease
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Head trauma

🧰 Recommended: EVERLIT Pet Medic First Aid Kit (95 Pcs) — Vet-approved emergency kit. Keep one at home and one in the car.