HEALTH CENTER
How to Stop Seizures in Dogs and Cats
Is it possible to stop seizures in dogs and cats immediately?
Staying calm and keeping your pet safe is the first step.
Watching your dog or cat have a seizure is frightening, but knowing what to do and when to seek emergency care can help you protect your pet during a seizure.
Can I Stop a Seizure In Dogs and Cats Immediately?
There is no home remedy that reliably stops a seizure. However, there are things you can do to possibly shorten the seizure and reduce the stress your pet is feeling before, during, and after a seizure.
How Can I Tell If My Pet Is About to Have a Seizure?
Signs include:
- Pacing back and forth or walking in a repetitive pattern
- Hiding or withdrawing
- Trembling or appearing nervous
- Drooling or dilated pupils
- Staring aimlessly
- Stumbling or appearing off balance
Have you tried everything, but your pet is still having seizures?
A conversation about your pet is a good place to start.
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What Should I Do Before a Seizure Occurs
- Stay calm
- Turn off the TV and loud music
- Dim lights
- Move children and other pets away
I work with many health issues, but seizures have been my specialty for 40 years and I have recommended administering a small amount of honey at the earliest sign of a seizure. From my experience, some seizure pets have low blood sugar and when the blood sugar drops, it triggers seizures. All seizures are NOT caused because of low blood sugar, but some are, and honey has been a very successful addition.
Offer the honey while your pet is fully alert and able to lick and swallow safely. A small amount can be offered on a spoon without inserting it into the mouth. Never put your fingers in your pet’s mouth.
What Should I Do While My Dog or Cat is Having a Seizure?
- Stay calm, speak softly and try timing the seizure
- Move objects that could cause injury
- Do not restrain your pet
- Keep your hands and objects away from the mouth
- Do not give anything by mouth during a seizure
- Take a video if it is safe as it can help your veterinarian understand the episode
What Should I Do Right After My Dog or Cat Has a Seizure?
- Keep your pet in a quiet, dim, comfortable space.
- After a seizure, pets are sometimes confused, pace, seem hungry or thirsty, and may have trouble seeing properly.
- Offer small amounts of food and water only when your pet is fully alert and swallowing normally.
- Write down the date, time, and length of the seizure, any warning signs, what the movements or behaviors looked like, how long recovery took, and whether the honey helped.
- Note anything different before the seizure, such as using new household chemicals, having the yard sprayed for pests, or possible exposure to other toxins.
- Write down meals, missed meals, and treats, along with new products, flea and tick treatments, medication changes, heat, or stress.
For diabetic pets, my article on Diabetes in Dogs and Cats discusses nutrition and ongoing support.
When Should I Call The Veterinarian?
- If the seizure reaches five minutes.
- Your pet has more than one seizure within 24 hours.
- Seizures happen back to back, especially without recovery between them.
- Your pet has trouble breathing or pale or blue gums.
- You suspect poisoning or exposure to a toxic product.
- Your pet remains unresponsive, is extremely hot, or is worsening rather than recovering.
How Can I Help Find The Cause of Seizures In Dogs and Cats?
Start with a veterinary evaluation. Depending on your pet’s history, this may include blood sugar, liver and kidney function, electrolytes, thyroid testing and some pets need a neurologist or further brain testing. I would also recommend reading Why Is Your Pet Having Seizures? A Holistic Approach.
What Should I Do If My Pet Keeps Having Seizures?
For 40 years, seizures have been my specialty as a holistic pet nutritionist. I have helped more than 6,000 pet parents, many caring for dogs and cats with seizures. Therefore, I highly recommend a consultation.
During a consultation, I will review your pet's diet, health history, blood work, medications, seizure history, and possible triggers. You will receive a personalized nutrition and holistic support program with clear recommendations tailored to your pet’s needs, alongside veterinary care.
If you are overwhelmed by conflicting advice and unsure what to change, I can help you decide where to start. Contact For Pet Health to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you stop a dog or cat from having a seizure?
There is no home remedy that reliably stops an active seizure. My holistic approach to recurring seizures starts with reviewing your pet’s diet, meal schedule, health history, and possible triggers, then developing a personalized nutrition and support program.
What can I give my dog or cat during a seizure?
Do not give your pet anything by mouth during an active seizure.
Does honey help with seizures?
I recommended administering a small amount of honey at the earliest sign of a seizure. From my experience, some seizure pets have low blood sugar and when the blood sugar drops, it triggers seizures. All seizures are NOT caused because of low blood sugar, but some are, and honey has been a very successful addition. Offer the honey while your pet is fully alert and able to lick and swallow safely. A small amount can be offered on a spoon without inserting it into the mouth. Never put your fingers in your pet’s mouth.
Are there supplements that can control seizures?
I use diet, carefully selected supplements, and lifestyle changes together in my holistic approach to seizure management. Each program is tailored to your pet’s health history and possible triggers, with a clear focus on seizure control and quality of life.
Can a consultation help?
A consultation gives you a clear plan tailored to your pet. I review their diet, blood work, medications, seizure history, and possible triggers, then create a personalized nutrition and holistic support program. You will know what to change, why, and how to get started.
Important Note
The recommendations in this article are general suggestions for treating your pet naturally. It is important to look at each pet individually and determine what works best, and it is highly recommended that you consider a consultation.
A consultation includes a personalized diet and holistic program, all custom-tailored to your pet's personal needs. This is particularly imperative in pets with complicated health issues, or if you've done outside reading and have conflicting information.
Recommended Articles
A complete guide to the causes and triggers of seizures in dogs and cats, plus a step-by-step holistic plan covering diet, blood sugar, and environmental support.
A look at how hypothyroidism may contribute to seizures in dogs, and how nutrition can support a more complete treatment plan.
A guide to understanding autoimmune encephalitis in dogs and how nutrition, from protein sources to omega-3s, can support recovery alongside medical treatment.
