How to Monitor Your Dog With Seizures While You Are Away
Leaving your dog when they have seizures can feel like one of the hardest things. If only we could watch them every second. But with a few tools, tricks, and smart planning, you can feel more confident that they’re safer while you’re not home. In this blog, I’ll go deeper into ideas, tips, and gear you can use to help monitor your dog even when you can’t be there in person.
Why Monitoring Matters
Seizures can strike unexpectedly. Even a short delay in response can make things feel more dangerous. If you can catch activity soon after it starts, you might reduce injury or stress for your pup. Also, having a record or video of what happens is super helpful for your veterinarian in diagnosing, adjusting medications, or spotting patterns.
Tools & Gear to Use
Here are some of my favorite tools that help you keep an eye on your dog while away:
Pet cameras / nanny cams: Choose one with live video streaming, motion detection alerts, and good low-light performance.
Smart motion sensors: Some cameras send you notifications when there’s unexpected movement.
Wearables / health trackers: While many are still developing for seizure detection in dogs, devices that monitor heart rate or activity may help flag irregularities.
Backup power / batteries: Cameras or devices are useless if they die mid-day—ensure they have battery support or UPS backup.
What to Look For: What’s a “Seizure Event” on Camera
When you review footage—or get alerted—these are signs to watch:
Sudden collapse or stiffening
Convulsions or twitching limbs
Rhythmic movements, paddling legs
Drooling or foaming
Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
Sudden jerks of head, neck, or body
Even after a seizure, watch for confusion, pacing, collapse, or distressed movement. These post-ictal behaviors tell you how long recovery lasts.
Setup Tips & Best Practices
Position camera to capture the dog’s usual resting or roaming area.
Don’t obstruct the view—no large furniture or clutter in front.
Use multiple angles if possible (e.g. dog bed + a “path” or hallway).
Test the live feed daily to make sure it’s working.
Use motion-alert thresholds so you’re notified only for significant events (avoiding too many false alarms).
Leave a “safe zone” in the camera’s view: nothing your dog can hurt themselves on if a seizure happens.
Keep your phone near and notifications turned on so you see alerts fast.
What to Do If You Catch a Seizure While You’re Away
Stay calm. You think and make better decisions when you remain calm.
Do not panic or try to rush back unsafely. If someone else can get home quicker, that may be optimal.
Take screenshots or record the event. That video moment could be helpful for your vet to observe.
Check after you’re home. When you return, check your dog’s well-being: walking, alertness, and for any injuries.
Log it along with video timestamps. Record time, duration, and symptoms from before/after into your seizure tracker.
Your Peace of Mind Matters, Too
While all this gear helps your dog, it also helps you feel less anxious when you’re out. Knowing there’s a camera watching, that you’ll get a motion alert, gives you a bit of control over one of the scariest parts of epilepsy.
We can’t eliminate every fear, but we can prepare.
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