Dog Seizure Triggers
Have you ever noticed that your dog’s seizures seem to happen after something specific, like a stressful day, a change in food, or even a storm rolling in? You’re not imagining things. Triggers can play a big role in canine epilepsy, and once you learn to spot them, you can often prepare—and sometimes even prevent seizures from happening.
When Ruby was first diagnosed, it felt like her seizures came out of nowhere. But over time, patterns started to appear—and understanding those patterns gave me a sense of control I didn’t have before.
1. Stress
Just like us, dogs feel stress. For some, stress can be a powerful seizure trigger. It might be something obvious like fireworks, thunderstorms, or vet visits. Sometimes it’s subtle, like changes in routine. If you notice seizures often happen after stressful events, that’s a clue that stress may be playing a role for your dog.
2. Diet and Feeding Changes
Diet doesn’t usually cause seizures, but changes in food or feeding times can affect some dogs. Even fasting too long or giving a meal late can sometimes trigger a seizure. For Ruby, keeping her feeding schedule consistent is just as important as her medication schedule. Predictability helps her body stay balanced and calm.
3. Environmental Factors
Things like extreme heat, lack of sleep, or sudden weather changes can sometimes make a difference too. Some families notice patterns with storms, hormonal cycles, or seasonal shifts.
The key is this: if you can track it, you can prepare for it.
Other Possible Triggers to Watch For
Missed or late medications – Even one late dose can matter.
Illness or infection – Fevers, stomach upset, or urinary tract infections can lower seizure thresholds.
Hormonal changes – Heat cycles or thyroid imbalances may play a role.
Sleep deprivation – Restless nights or skipped naps can increase risk.
Overexertion – Intense play or overheating can lead to exhaustion-related seizures.
Toxins or chemicals – Cleaning products, chocolate, xylitol, and even lawn chemicals can be dangerous.
Vaccinations or medications – Rarely, they may trigger seizures—always worth noting with your vet.
Flashing lights or loud sounds – possible in sensitive dogs.
Weather & barometric pressure changes – Storms or humidity shifts.
Routine disruptions – Boarding, travel, or major schedule changes.
How to Prepare and Reduce Triggers
1. Track Everything
Use a seizure log or app to record date, time, duration, and what was happening before. Over time, patterns appear helping you anticipate and prepare.
2. Plan for Stressful Situations
If vet visits, fireworks, or grooming appointments trigger your dog, try planning ahead. Try a thunder shirt, calming aids, or mobile vet/grooming services to keep things quieter and less stressful.
3. Keep a Consistent Routine
Feed and medicate at the same time every day. Stick to a regular sleep, eating, and exercise schedule. Ruby even has her own bedtime routine that includes a snack, outside for bathroom, and then right to bed in our room in her favorite sleeping spot. When that routine doesn’t happen, she gets uneasy, so we stay consistent because routine equals calm.
4. Create an Emergency Kit
Include rescue meds (if prescribed), vet contact info, and a printed emergency plan. Being prepared lowers your stress, which lowers your dog’s.
5. Manage the Environment
Avoid extreme heat, overexertion, or exposure to toxins. If storms are a trigger, prepare a safe, quiet space with your dogs bedding and comforting toys.
6. Work With Your Vet
If you spot a consistent trigger, share your notes with your vet. They can help you adjust your plan or make proactive recommendations.
What I Learned About A Possible Trigger For Ruby
A great example of how tracking helps came when Ruby got her last rabies vaccination. Normally, her seizures happen every three months, but that time, she had a seizure earlier than expected, right after her shot.
I can’t say for sure the vaccine caused it, but noting that connection helped me plan. She’s due for her next one soon, but we have a trip coming up so my plan is to wait until we get back from our vacation to schedule her rabies vaccine. If it lowers her seizure threshold again, I’d rather be home to help her than have it happen with a sitter.
That single observation gave me confidence to make a choice in Ruby’s best interest, and that’s exactly what seizure tracking can do for you.
The Big Takeaway
You may not be able to stop seizures entirely, but tracking and preparation help you feel more in control, and that confidence changes everything.
If you’re just starting this journey, it can feel overwhelming. I know, because I’ve been there. That’s why I created my course, My Dog Was Diagnosed With Epilepsy – Now What? It walks you step-by-step through everything I wish I’d known from day one—including how to track seizures and start spotting patterns like these.