07/27/2026
: Understanding Seizures in Dogs & Cats
Watching your pet have a seizure can be frightening, but knowing what to do can make all the difference.
A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. While seizures are more common in dogs than cats, they can occur in both species and may be caused by a variety of underlying conditions, including:
π§ Epilepsy (especially in dogs)
π©Έ Low blood sugar
β οΈ Toxin exposure
π¦ Infections
π©Ί Liver or kidney disease
ποΈ Brain tumors or other neurological disorders
Types of Seizures
- Generalized (Grand Mal) Seizures β The most common type. Pets typically lose consciousness, collapse, paddle their legs, stiffen, drool, vocalize, or urinate/defecate involuntarily.
- Focal (Partial) Seizures β Affect only one part of the brain. Signs may include facial twitching, blinking, chewing motions, excessive salivation, head turning, or jerking of a single limb while the pet may remain conscious.
- Focal Seizures with Secondary Generalization β A seizure that begins as a focal seizure and progresses into a generalized seizure affecting the entire body.
- Cluster Seizures β Two or more seizures occurring within a 24-hour period. These require prompt veterinary attention.
- Status Epilepticus β A seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, or repeated seizures without your pet regaining consciousness between them. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.
Signs of a Seizure
- Collapse or falling over.
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth.ing.e limbs...
- Trembling or uncontrollable jerking
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Loss of consciousness.
- Urinating or defecating involuntarily.
- Temporary confusion, pacing, blindness, restlessness, or disorientation after the seizure (post-ictal phase).
Diagnosis & Treatment
Your veterinarian may recommend bloodwork and other diagnostic tests to help determine the cause of your pet's seizures. Depending on the diagnosis, some pets may simply be monitored, while others may need daily anti-seizure medication to help reduce the frequency and severity of future seizures. Regular checkups and follow-up bloodwork may also be recommended to monitor your pet's health and medication.
What Should You Do?
- Stay calm and keep your pet away from stairs, furniture, or anything they could injure themselves on.
- Do NOT place your hands in your pet's mouth. Pets cannot swallow their tongue during a seizure, and you could be bitten accidentally.
- Time the seizure(s) and, if possible, record a video to share with your veterinarian.
Keep the room quiet and dim while your pet recovers.
π¨ Seek immediate veterinary care if:
- A seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
- Your pet has multiple seizures within 24 hours (cluster seizures).
- Your pet does not fully recover between seizures.
- This is your pet's first seizure.
- Your pet is having difficulty breathing or is injured during the episode.