What To Do When Your Dog Has a Seizure
It’s one of the scariest moments a pet parent can face: your dog suddenly collapses, stiffens, or starts twitching uncontrollably. If this has happened—or if you’re worried it might—I want you to take a deep breath. You’re not alone, and you can handle it.
I’ve been through it many times with my golden retriever, Ruby, who was diagnosed with epilepsy over eight years ago. The first seizure I saw was terrifying. But over time, I learned what to do, how to stay calm, and how to keep Ruby safe. Today, I’m sharing what I’ve learned so you can feel prepared instead of panicked.
Stay Calm
I know. It’s easier said than done. But your dog needs you to be calm and steady. Most seizures last under three minutes, even though they feel much longer in the moment.
Speak softly or not at all, take slow breaths, and focus on keeping your dog safe until the seizure ends.
Keep Your Dog Safe
During a seizure, your dog isn’t aware of what’s happening, so safety is your top priority.
Gently move furniture, sharp objects, or anything nearby that could hurt them.
If they’re near stairs or something dangerous, block it off.
Don’t put your hands near their mouth—they may bite unintentionally.
If possible, slide a folded towel, rug, or blanket under their head, especially on hard floors.
Your goal is to prevent an injury.
Time the Seizure
Once you’re sure your dog is safe, check the clock. Knowing how long the seizure lasts is essential information to record on your seizure tracker for your vet.
Most seizures end within a few minutes.
If it lasts longer than five minutes, or if your dog has multiple seizures close together (called “cluster seizures”), go to the vet immediately. These situations can be life-threatening and need emergency care.
After the Seizure
When the seizure ends, your dog may seem confused, restless, or temporarily blind. This is called the postictal phase, and it’s completely normal.
Keep the room calm and quiet:
Turn off bright lights.
Speak softly.
Give them space to pace or rest.
Ruby often wanders and seems disoriented right after a seizure, but with time and patience, she always returns to herself. Every dog’s recovery looks a little different, so follow their lead and let them rest when they’re ready.
Keep a Record
After things settle, write everything down:
What time the seizure started and ended
How long it lasted
What your dog was doing beforehand
Any possible triggers you noticed (stress, diet change, missed meds, etc.)
Over time, these notes can reveal patterns that help your vet fine-tune your dog’s treatment plan. In Ruby’s case, tracking helped us connect certain triggers with changes in her seizure activity.
You’re Doing Better Than You Think
The first few seizures you witness are the hardest. Your heart races, your hands shake, and it’s hard not to panic. But every time, you’ll gain confidence. You’ll learn your dog’s patterns, and soon you’ll have a plan that feels second nature.
If you’re just beginning this journey, I know it can feel like too much—learning medications, emergency steps, and how to track everything. That’s exactly why I created my course, My Dog Was Diagnosed With Epilepsy – Now What?
It walks you step-by-step through what to do after diagnosis, how to manage medications and schedules, and how to handle moments like these calmly and confidently. It’s everything I wish I had when Ruby was first diagnosed.