Dog having a seizure: what to do
Protect the dog from hazards, time the event, and skip putting your hands near the mouth.
Do this first
| Scenario | Seizure |
|---|---|
| Vet vs poison control vs ER | Call the ER for prolonged, repeated, or first-time seizures, or if the pet does not recover normally. Poison control is important if toxin ingestion (xylitol, chocolate, bait, medications) is suspected as the trigger. Otherwise this is a veterinary neurology or ER workup. |
Immediate action steps
- Move furniture and hazards away; do not put your hands near the mouth
- Time the seizure and note what happened just before it started
- Dim lights and keep the environment quiet during recovery
- Call your veterinarian or ER if the seizure lasts more than a few minutes, clusters occur, or it is a first seizure
- Do not give human anticonvulsants unless a veterinarian has prescribed them for this pet
During the seizure
Move chairs and sharp objects away. Dim bright lights if you can without hovering over the dog.
Do not pull the tongue or insert objects into the mouth. Bite risk is real and “tongue swallowing” folklore is not a reason to risk your fingers.
After the seizure
Pets may be disoriented. Keep the space quiet. Note how long the seizure lasted and what happened just before.
Call your veterinarian or ER for first seizures, long seizures, or clusters.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Contact your vet for anything urgent or unclear.
FAQ
- How long is too long?
- If a seizure lasts more than a few minutes, or multiple seizures occur close together, seek emergency care now. When unsure, call the ER while watching the clock.