Always be ready for any type of emergency!

KEEP YOURSELF CALM

Whether this is the first time your dog has ever had a seizure or you’ve seen it happen before, try to keep yourself calm first before you attend to your dog. If you get in his face, crying or yelling at him, he’s going to be even more frightened by the whole situation.

SIT NEAR YOUR DOG

Sit near your dog, but be careful about petting him. You can sometimes, very carefully, pet his back or parts of his body that he can’t easily reach with his mouth. However, keep in mind that dogs may uncontrollably bite during seizures. Similarly, your dog may be confused when he comes to and could bite you out of fear, pain, or confusion.

If you’re dealing with a dog seizure for the first time, it may be best to avoid petting him, even though that can be emotionally painful for you.

TIME YOUR DOG’S SEIZURES

If you are able to do so, time your dog’s seizures. A stopwatch is ideal, but even just keeping an eye on the clock can let you know how long your dog has been seizing.

If it’s less than two minutes, everything should be okay; two to five minutes is a warning zone, and your dog should be taken to the vet as soon as possible.

Any seizure lasting over five minutes needs to be treated immediately by a vet.

CAREFULLY MOVE YOUR DOG TO A SAFER LOCATION

If your dog has a seizure near stairs or the edge of the bed, carefully push him to a safer location or place something in front of him that will prevent him from falling without hurting him. Dogs may become panicked before or after a seizure and may run around without thinking or looking at where they’re going. They also may not always be able to control their movements and could potentially seize so hard they fall.

SPEAK IN COMFORTING TONES

Speak in low, comforting tones to your dog. Some owners even try putting on soft, gentle music for their dogs after a seizure. As long as you don’t play anything too loudly, this is fine. However, your dog may appreciate it more if you just let him come back to normal without adding distractions around him, too.

LOWER YOUR DOG’S BODY TEMPERATURE

Seizures cause your dog’s body temperature to climb quickly. Because of this, it can be helpful to gently place cool washcloths over his feet after the seizure has ended. Wait until your dog has come to before you do this, as he may bite you if you don’t.

LET YOUR DOG SLEEP

After your dog is alert and awake again, he may be very tired. Let him sleep; you may check up on him periodically, but it’s best to let him rest.

LET YOUR DOG EAT OR DRINK

Your dog may also be extremely hungry or thirsty after a seizure. Don’t force him to eat or drink, but let him do so if he seems alert and is able to stand on his feet without wobbling or seeming confused.