Seizures in Pets: What to Do During and After a Seizure Episode

Seizures are one of the most common neurological emergencies seen in pets, and they often happen without warning. Knowing how to act in the moment and what steps to take afterward can help protect your pet from injury and ensure they receive prompt veterinary care when it matters most.

What Is a Seizure in Pets?

A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain and can affect dogs, cats, and other animals. Seizures vary in severity and duration and may be linked to epilepsy, toxin exposure, infections, metabolic issues, trauma, or underlying neurological conditions.

Common signs of a seizure include:

• Sudden collapse or loss of consciousness

• Muscle stiffness or uncontrollable shaking

• Paddling motions of the legs

• Drooling or foaming at the mouth

• Vocalization, confusion, or loss of bladder/bowel control

Some seizures are brief and mild, while others may last several minutes or occur in clusters.

What to Do During a Seizure

Your first priority during a seizure is safety - both for your pet and yourself.

• Stay calm. While seizures look alarming, most last one to three minutes and are not painful to your pet.

• Do not touch your pet’s mouth. Pets do not swallow their tongues during seizures, and attempting to put your hands near their mouth can result in an accidental bite.

• Prevent injury. Gently move furniture or objects away from your pet. If possible, place a folded towel or blanket under their head to reduce trauma.

• Lower stimulation. Dim the lights, turn off loud noises, and keep the area as quiet as possible.

• Time the seizure. Note how long the seizure lasts. This information is extremely important for your veterinarian.

• Do not restrain your pet. Let the seizure run its course unless they are in immediate danger.

What to Do After a Seizure

Once the seizure stops, your pet may enter a recovery phase called the post-ictal period. This phase can last minutes to hours.

During this time:

• Your pet may seem disoriented, restless, blind, or unusually hungry

• Speak softly and reassure them

• Keep them in a safe, quiet area

• Offer water once they are fully alert, but do not force food

Continue to monitor your pet closely and document what you observed, including the duration, behavior before and after, and any potential triggers.

When Is a Seizure an Emergency?

Seek immediate veterinary care if:

• A seizure lasts longer than five minutes

• Multiple seizures occur within a short period

• Your pet does not fully recover between seizures

• This is your pet’s first-ever seizure

• The seizure occurred after possible toxin exposure

• Your pet is very young, senior, or has other medical conditions

Prolonged or repeated seizures can be life-threatening and require urgent medical intervention.

How Seizures Are Diagnosed and Managed

Veterinary evaluation may include blood work, imaging, and other diagnostics to determine the underlying cause. Some pets require long-term medication to manage seizures, while others may only experience isolated episodes. With proper treatment and monitoring, many pets with seizure disorders go on to live happy, comfortable lives.

Get Expert Help for Seizures in Pets

Witnessing a seizure in your pet is distressing, but knowing how to respond can make a critical difference. Staying calm, protecting your pet from injury, and seeking timely veterinary care are key steps in managing seizure episodes. If your pet experiences a seizure, professional evaluation is essential to determine the cause and guide treatment.

If your pet has recently experienced a seizure, don’t wait to seek help. Airport Freeway Animal Emergency Hospital is equipped to provide immediate, compassionate emergency care when your pet needs it most. Visit our office in Euless, Texas, or call (817) 571-2088 today.