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2024‘s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet

Written by

Elaine Navajo

Reviewed by

Updated on:

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Best Dog Food For Seizures

In this review, we will discuss some of the best dog food for seizures. Although we recommend certain dog foods, it is still best to seek professional advice from the local veterinarian.

Having a dog to take care of at home is a great blessing. We often treat these beautiful creatures as extended family members. Loving them and giving them the best life possible become a pet owner’s utmost responsibility.

There are many ways to keep our pets healthy. Feeding them with good-quality food, providing supplements, and regularly visiting the vet are just some of the necessary things we can do to help maintain our furry friends’ good health and overall wellness, and perhaps prolong their life.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR BEST DOG FOODS FOR SEIZURES

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 2
  • With omega-3 and -6 fatty acids
  • Real deboned salmon first
  • Features healthy carbs like sweet potatoes and peas
VIEW LATEST PRICE →See Customer Reviews →
[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 4
  • Great-tasting food for brain health
  • Chicken #1 ingredient
  • Specially formulated to help support cognitive health
VIEW LATEST PRICE →See Customer Reviews →
[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 2
  • Made for dogs from all life stages
  • Crafted from real cage-free chicken
  • Highly digestible recipe
VIEW LATEST PRICE →See Customer Reviews →

But sometimes, even with the best care, animals suffer from certain health conditions that are unavoidable, and sometimes uncontrollable.

One such common condition in dogs is a seizure, which can be terrifying to see for most dog parents. Seeing your beloved pup lose consciousness and shake uncontrollably on the ground is no pretty sight.

The worst part is not knowing what to do about it. Other symptoms of seizures include twitching of the muscles, foaming of the mouth, chewing of the tongue, and making paddling motions with their legs after falling on their side. 

Seizures, also called convulsions, are a common neurological condition in dogs, which is a temporary and involuntary disturbance of the normal brain function commonly accompanied by uncontrollable shaking and muscle twitching.

The repeated episodes of seizures are called epilepsy.

The Best Dog Food For Seizures

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The 5 Best Prescription Diets for Seizures

As the term suggests, prescription pet foods require authorization from the veterinarian in order to purchase. These diets claim to provide better nutrients for the specific health needs of dogs.

They are generally much more expensive than standard dog food. However, some studies say that prescription dog diets are not much different from the cheaper over-the-counter products containing no medicinal ingredients.

Each dog is different and has different medical histories. While there are dogs that have done better on non-prescription foods, there are also those who have had seen significant health improvements after being put on a prescription diet.

1. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Neurocare

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 7

First 5 ingredients:

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Brewers Rice, Ground Yellow Corn

Protein: 29.0% min

Fat: 15.0% min

Fiber: 3.0% max

Moisture: 12.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Special Diet: Veterinary Diet

We picked this kibble as the vet prescribed best dog food for seizures because it was created precisely for the purpose of addressing canine seizures.

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Research from the Royal Veterinary College of the University of London canine epilepsy clinic, in tandem with Nestle Purina, was used to develop the first and only diet to help nutritionally manage dogs with idiopathic epilepsy as an adjunct to veterinary therapy, according to RVC’s website.

What’s special about this prescription diet is the inclusion of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) vegetable oil, antioxidants, vitamin E, and omega fatty acids with EPA and DHA, which are all found to be highly important components in preventing dog seizures.

RVC’s studies revealed that specific dog food with MCT oil can help reduce seizure frequency (along with veterinary therapy) as 71% of the canine test subjects showed lesser seizure frequency.   

What We Like

  • Veterinary exclusive formula
  • Real chicken is main ingredient
  • Made by Veterinarians and experts
  • Unique blend of nutrients to support brain health
  • Leading levels of Omegas, EPA, DHA and Vit. E

What We Don't Like

  • Allergic reactions
  • Increased incidence of seizures

2. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Ultamino

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 8

First 5 ingredients:

Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Poultry By-Products Aggregate, Coconut Oil, Vegetable Oil, Natural Flavors

Protein: 16.5% min

Fat: 14.5% min

Fiber: 4.2% max

Moisture: 8.5% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: Adult, All Breeds

Special Diet: Veterinary Diet

This is another great diet to help suppress your pup’s seizures.

Originally made to address severe food allergies in dogs, this kibble also has amazing nutrients that have been found to aid in controlling seizures, among so many other health benefits.

This recipe has coconut oil as third in the ingredients list, which is a great source of MCTs that are known brain-boosters, and may help reduce seizure frequency in your dogs.

It also has a generous amount of essential fatty acids EPA and DHA that also aid in managing seizures, as well as supporting healthy dog's skin and coat.

Moreover, this formula boasts an exclusive blend of fibers that promotes healthy digestion in dogs.

What We Like

  • Company founded by a Veterinarian
  • Enhances skin's natural barriers
  • Especially made for dogs with food sensitivities
  • Formulated to support skin and tummy health
  • Features antioxidant complex to support cellular health

What We Don't Like

  • Steep pricing
  • Formula not consistent

3. Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care with Lamb

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 9

First 5 ingredients:

Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Chicken Fat, Lamb, Soybean Meal

Protein: 12.0% min

Fat: 18.0% min

Fiber: 5.0% max

Moisture: 0.15% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Special Diet: Veterinary Diet

This food is formulated by nutritionists for the purpose of enhancing a dog’s kidney function and sustaining muscle mass.

Since kidney disease is among the known causes of dog seizures, this dog's diet may help to cut down the convulsive episodes in your pooch, especially if it’s determined that the dog has kidney failure. 

This diet is also high in fat, with a minimum crude fat of 18%, which is mostly from pork fat, the third ingredient. A high-fat, low-carb diet called the ketogenic diet is often recommended to people with epilepsy.

Some studies suggest this may be useful for epileptic dogs too. These healthy fats are expected to give your furry pals the energy they need to reinforce cognitive health.

What We Like

  • Recommended by Vets
  • Stimulates appetite
  • Low sodium and phosphorus levels
  • Helps protect kidney function
  • Clinically proven to improve pet quality of life

What We Don't Like

  • Formula changed
  • Triggers allergy

4. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 10

First 5 ingredients:

Brewers Rice, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavors, Dried Plain Beet Pulp

Protein: 19.0% min

Fat: 17.0% min

Fiber: 3.0% max

Moisture: 10.5% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: Adult, All Breeds

Special Diet: Veterinary Diet

This is another special dog's diet meant for canines with more intense food sensitivities.

The hydrolyzed proteins in this formula are made of low molecular weight peptides that can be easily absorbed in the digestive tract and are less likely to cause allergic reactions, and therefore preventing uncomfortable symptoms like skin irritations and an upset stomach. 

This kibble is also fortified with a rich supply of essential nutrients like various B vitamins and amino acids, and also omega fatty acids EPA and DHA that can help control seizures and promote a healthy dog's skin and coat.

It also has a generous fat content of 17.5% derived mostly from chicken fat. And, this formula has sufficient taurine, which is another nutrient vital to controlling seizures.

What We Like

  • Highly palatable
  • Loaded with DHA and EPA
  • Made with a precise combination of nutrients
  • Easy on the tummy and aids gut health
  • Supports and balances digestive flora

What We Don't Like

  • Increased price
  • Skin flare ups noted

5. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Vegetarian Formula 

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 11

First 5 ingredients:

Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Isolate, Coconut Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Canola Oil Preserved With TBHQ, Powdered Cellulose

Protein: 18.0% min

Fat: 20.0% min

Fiber: 4.0% max

Moisture: 11.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Special Diet: Veterinary Diet

Completing the top five best dog foods for seizures is this product from Purina.

This delectable dog food features hydrolyzed soy protein, plus vegetable oil and corn starch, for a limited protein source diet to reduce the chances of food allergic reactions to sensitive pooches.

Corn starch is the main source of carbohydrates in this healthy dog meal. Enriched with antioxidants for added health benefits, this kibble is intended to be highly digestible, and its nutrients are easily absorbed for the benefit of canines that badly need a health boost.   

This line also comes in another great-tasting flavor, Chicken.

What We Like

  • Unique vegetarian recipe
  • Single carbohydrate source
  • Made alongside Vets and experts
  • Highly digestible for better absorption
  • Contains single hydrolyzed protein source

What We Don't Like

  • Caused diarrhea
  • Not a hit for picky eaters

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 12

5 Best (Non-Prescription) Dry Foods for Seizures

Unless ordered by the veterinarian, you don’t really have to go for costly prescription diets to provide high-quality dog foods for your dogs prone to seizures.

There are lots of great non-prescription dog food options that can be just as effective in easing the seizures in your dogs.

For as long as what you give your beloved pooch is a complete and balanced diet, and with the necessary components found to have positive effects on this condition, your canine companion will be just fine with over-the-counter dog food.

Here are the top five recommended non-prescription dog foods for seizures:

1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 13

First 5 ingredients:

Salmon, Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Protein, Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids)

Protein: 34.0% min

Fat: 15.0% min

Fiber: 6.0% max

Moisture: 10.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Special Diet: Grain-free

This salmon recipe is our top choice for non-prescription best dry dog food for seizures and it’s easy to see why.

A quick look at the guaranteed analysis will already tell you that this recipe is a high-protein and high-fat diet that’s suited for dogs with seizures.

What’s even better news is the presence of lavish omega fatty acids in this meal from menhaden fish meal and flaxseeds to help promote healthy skin and coat, among other healthy ingredients.

Coming from Blue Buffalo, there surely is a high expectation for this dog-healthy chow in terms of the optimal health it could provide your furry friends. 

With the signature LifeSource Bits, this grain-free kibble is also enriched with antioxidants and other essential nutrients from various fruits and veggies like blueberries, cranberries, barley grass, parsley, turmeric, dried kelp, and yucca schidigera extract to improve your dog's immune system and brain development among other benefits.

And it also has taurine, which is another nutrient known to boost brain health and help fight seizures. 

This grain-free formula does not include artificial flavors. Online reviews from close to a thousand customers gave this best dog food the thumbs up with an average of 4.7 stars.

What We Like

  • Real fish is main ingredient
  • With wholesome grains
  • Meets life stage requirements
  • Boosts immune system health
  • Promotes healthy oxidative balance

What We Don't Like

  • Recipe change
  • Contains chicken meal

2. Health Extension Original Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 14

First 5 ingredients:

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat

Protein: 24.0% min

Fat: 18.0% min

Fiber: 4.0% max

Moisture: 10.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Quality dog food need not be too expensive. Health Extension Original is a great option for a premium dog diet that’s not too burdensome on the budget.

Excellent for all life stages, this kibble is made with organic, free-range chicken as the first ingredient, along with other fantastic natural ingredients like egg product, turmeric, bovine colostrum, organic apple cider vinegar, ginger, and green tea extract for a balanced diet. 

Superfood coconut oil is also part of the formula. It is rich in essential medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) to help prevent seizures in your dog's body.

Also, notice the high 18% minimum crude fat? If that’s not enough, this formula also contains an abundant load of omega fatty acids that can also aid in preventing seizures as well as promote healthy skin and coat.

What We Like

  • Suitable for all life stages
  • Free range chicken is #1 ingredient
  • Zero corn, wheat, soy or preservatives
  • Minerals, vitamins and nutrients added
  • With pure coconut oil for better coat and skin

What We Don't Like

  • Always out of stock
  • Bags arrive with different color/flavor/smell

3. Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula 

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First 5 ingredients:

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, White Rice

Protein: 26.0% min

Fat: 16.0% min

Fiber: 2.5% max

Moisture: 10.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Here’s another excellent diet for your dogs with seizures that’s easy on the pocket. In fact, this brand is the most economical on our list.

This great-tasting kibble boasts exceptional natural ingredients to make a highly nutritious and well-balanced meal for your four-legged kids.

 Chicken is the main ingredient and main source of amino acids and the 26% minimum protein.

But it also has plant-based components including superfoods like dried chicory root, kale, chia seed, pumpkin, blueberries, oranges, quinoa, dried kelp, coconut, spinach, carrots, and papaya. 

It’s also enriched with probiotics and antioxidants for optimal health gains. The high 16% minimum crude fat should be ideal to aid in preventing seizures in your dog.

What We Like

  • All life stage diet
  • Locally made (USA)
  • Contains natural superfoods
  • Rich in Omegas for better coat and skin
  • With proprietary probiotics to support digestion

What We Don't Like

  • Made dogs gassy
  • Poop size became bigger

4. Nutro Ultra Adult Formula

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 16

First 5 ingredients:

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Sorghum, Whole Grain Barley, Whole Grain Oatmeal

Protein: 24.0% min

Fat: 15.0% min

Fiber: 4.0% max

Moisture: 10.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Not to be outdone is Nutro Ultra Holistic Superfood Blend, which is another super-premium dry recipe with terrific ingredients.

Its rich 25% minimum protein and abundant amino acids come from chicken as the first ingredient, plus lamb meal, and salmon meal. It also has natural flavor, chicken fat, and sunflower oil to complete a formidable ingredients list for a healthy and tasty dog meal. 

But that’s not all. This healthy diet also has an amazing mix of beneficial fruits and vegetables, including dried coconut, whole chia seed, dried kale, dried pumpkin, dried spinach, dried blueberries, dried apples, and dried carrots that are all great health boosters for your pups, including cognitive health.

Specially made for adult dogs, it has sufficient 14% minimum crude fat to help curb mild seizures. By the way, this recipe suited for dogs with seizures got rave reviews online from hundreds of customers.

What We Like

  • Boasts 3 protein sources
  • Made with non-GMO ingredients
  • Supports healthy bones and teeth
  • Promotes radiant coat and skin
  • Enhances digestion and develops strong, lean muscles

What We Don't Like

  • Formula change
  • Watery stools were noted

5. American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe 

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 17

First 5 ingredients:

Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes

Protein: 32.0% min

Fat: 14.0% min

Fiber: 5.0% max

Moisture: 10.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Special Diet: Grain-free

First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes

American Journey also has a great offering for a dog owner looking for the right dog food for their seizure-troubled tail-waggers.

Their Salmon & Sweet Potato recipe is not a bad choice at all with real salmon as the first ingredient, supplemented by turkey meal, peas, and sweet potatoes, plus a host of wholesome fruits and veggies like dried plain beet pulp, flaxseed, blueberries, and carrots. 

The impressive 32% minimum crude protein is surely favorable to your pooch in many ways. It’s also fortified with healthy fats (14% minimum), essential fibers, and various essential nutrients.

Its omega fatty acids load, mostly from the salmon oil and flaxseed, is also noteworthy, which can also help in controlling seizures in dogs, apart from the usual health benefits like skin and coat wellness. 

Definitely worth mentioning is this grain-free diet’s high approval rate in online reviews, given by more than three thousand respondents.

What We Like

  • No, wheat, soy or corn
  • Features antioxidant-rich ingredients
  • Supports a healthy immune system
  • With DHA for eye and brain development
  • Loaded with omega fatty acids

What We Don't Like

  • Bag issues
  • Allergy break outs were reported

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 18

Bonus: Best Treats and Supplements for Seizures

Aside from providing your best home buddies with the best dog food, you may also want to add some tasty and nutritious treats as well as health supplements to augment their overall wellness and also help in preventing pesky seizures.

We have come up with a shortlist of highly recommended supplements and treats that may help manage your dog’s seizures.

1. Zesty Paws Core Elements 8-in-1 Chicken Flavored Chews

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 19

First 5 ingredients:

Chicken, Citric Acid (a preservative), Coconut Glycerin, Flaxseed, Garbanzo Flour

Food Type: Supplement, Soft Chew

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

This chicken flavored chews takes first place in our list of recommended supplements and treats because of what it offers.

As the label states, this tasty chews recipe features eight health benefits for your wet-nosed pets namely hip and joint function support, heart health, skin health, gut function, the immune system, antioxidant activity, liver health, and performance for adult and even senior dogs of all breeds and sizes. 

Each bite is bounteous with fantastic nutrients to fight various illnesses like heart, kidney, and liver disease. Among these vital components are glucosamine, chondroitin, probiotics (including Lactobacillus acidophilus), and enzymes for gut health.

Part of the list of ingredients for this supplement are coconut glycerin, flaxseed meal, palm fruit oil, powdered cellulose (Coating Only), pumpkin, and sunflower lecithin.

This supplement got a magnificent 4.8-stars rating from over two thousand respondents in online reviews.


2. Pet Botanics Bacon Flavored Treats

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 20

First 5 ingredients:

Pork Liver, Pea Flour, Potatoes, Dried Whole Eggs, Glycerin

Protein: 12.0% min

Fat: 7.0% min

Fiber: 4.0% max

Moisture: 30.0% max

Food Type: Treats

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

You can never really repay your furry friends enough for the love and joy they bring to your life. But you can reward them with an absolutely delightful and healthy treat in Pet Botanics Bacon Flavored Treats.

Made with an outstanding array of natural ingredients led by pork liver, pea flour, potatoes, dried whole eggs, glycerin, and flaxseed, this savory treat is bursting with flavor and nutrition that will surely make your pooch wanting for more. 

The formula also includes other admirable ingredients like bacon, sweet potatoes, natural smoke flavor, chicken fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid) coconut oil, salmon oil, dried cultured skim milk, cane molasses, cranberries, blueberries, carrots, and tomatoes. 

Especially noteworthy is the coconut oil in this supplement, which as discussed lengthily in this review, is a crucial component in fighting seizures.


3. PetHonesty CranBladder Health Chicken Flavored Soft Chews

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 21

First 5 ingredients:

Brown Rice Syrup, Carrot, Coconut Glycerin, Flaxseed, Mixed Tocopherols

Food Type: Supplement, Soft Chew

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Here’s another yummy food supplement with multiple health benefits for your pooch – Pet Honesty’s CranBladder Health Chicken Flavored Soft Chews.

The recipe for these healthy bites is unbelievably incredible, which is why many pet parents love this brand as much as their pups do. 

Its ingredient list includes nutritious components such as oat flour, palm fruit oil, brown rice syrup, sweet potato, carrot, pumpkin, flaxseed, sunflower lecithin, and coconut glycerin. 

These chicken-flavored soft chews are meant to support the immune system, normalize bladder muscle function, keep a healthy urinary tract, and balance urine pH to potentially get rid of crystal formations that can lead to UTIs.

It supports kidney health, which is also crucial in the battle against seizures in dogs. With nearly 600 respondents in one online review, this dog supplement received a laudable 4.7-stars rating.


4. Primal Chicken Formula Nuggets

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 22

First 5 ingredients:

Chicken (with ground bone), Chicken Livers, Organic Carrots, Organic Squash, Organic Kale

Protein: 47.0% min

Fat: 25.0% min

Fiber: 3.0% max

Moisture: 6.0% max

Food Type: Freeze-Dried

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Special Diet: Grain-Free

Talk about paw-some dog foods, this one takes the cake. This is a first-class chow for your dogs whether as an occasional main diet, treats,  or as toppers to their regular meals.

This raw food diet is made of organic, wholesome ingredients freeze-dried to retain all their natural goodness for your pups to enjoy. 

Made with real chicken meat and liver from free-range chicken, and mixed with organic fruits and veggies like organic carrots, organic squash, organic kale, organic apples, organic pumpkin seeds, organic sunflower seeds, organic broccoli, organic blueberries, organic cranberries, organic parsley, organic rosemary extract, organic apple cider vinegar, organic quinoa, and organic ground alfalfa, this raw food is truly nutritious as it is delicious, and saves you from the hassles of preparing a raw or homemade diet.

For added favorable nutrients, the prepared raw diet also includes organic coconut oil and fish oil for essential omegas that can help prevent seizures and support coat health.

If these don’t impress you enough, just take a peek at the guaranteed analysis for this product: 47% minimum crude protein and 25% minimum crude fat. Need we say more?


5. VetriScience Vetri-DMG Liquid Immune Supplement

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 23

First 5 ingredients:

Citric Acid, Glycerin, Malic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Purified Water

Food Type: Supplement, Liquid

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Highly recommended by several dog food and supplement reviews, VetriScience Vetri-DMG liquid supplement for pets can also give a helping hand in preventing dog seizures.

Formulated by veterinary experts, this liquid supplement is intended to boost the performance and immune system of your beloved pets. 

But that’s not all. The components of this vitamin product are also expected to enhance the brain and nervous system in dogs, which are the primary functions involved in seizures. It also supports cardiovascular health, glucose metabolism, and even skin enhancement. 

The main active ingredient – N-Dimethylglycine (DMG) – is vital in helping the body cope with stress, and also in repairing the brain tissue, enhancing circulation, efficient oxygen utilization, fat metabolism, and muscle recovery.


hypothyroidism

Guide to Seizures in Dogs

If all of a sudden your dog drops to the floor and shakes uncontrollably, or begins moving her legs as if treading water, she is probably having a seizure or convulsive episode.

Seizures are not exclusive to any breed although certain types of dogs' seizures are more prevalent in some breeds.

Common Causes of Seizures in Dogs

There are several elements that can trigger seizures in dogs. Some are mild or temporary, while others are more serious and chronic.

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Among the most common causes are the following:

  • Poison Consumption
  • Liver Disease
  • Kidney Disease
  • Low or High Blood Sugar
  • Electrolyte Problems
  • Brain Tumor
  • Head Trauma
  • Stroke
  • Brain Cancer
  • Anemia
  • Encephalitis

Symptoms of Seizures in Dogs

Watch out for these signs in your dog that may indicate when seizures occur:

  • Loss of Consciousness
  • Muscle Twitching
  • Jerking movements
  • Drooling
  • Foaming of the mouth
  • Stiffening
  • Tongue Chewing
  • Uncontrolled urinating and defecating

Other signs to watch out for are when the dog seems confused or disoriented, or when she just stares without any movement.

These are usually followed by seizure attacks. In some cases, the dogs become temporarily blind or may tend to hide.

Types of Seizures in Dogs

Grand Mal Seizures

Grand mal seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain and may last from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Focal Seizures

Focal seizures are like grand mal seizures but only just on one side of the brain, therefore only one side of the dog will manifest them.

Psychomotor Seizures

Psychomotor seizures do not normally cause a dog to fall to the ground but instead cause her to act strange like chasing her tail, running in circles, or biting unseen objects.

Idiopathic Epilepsy

Idiopathic epilepsy, the most common cause of seizures in dogs, is an inherited disorder with no known cause. Some dog breeds are more prone to idiopathic epilepsy such as Beagles, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Collies, Boxers, Poodles, and Labrador Retrievers.

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 24

Caring for Dogs with Seizures

If your dog is having a seizure, you must remain calm. Check if she could hit any hard or sharp object that may wound her or fall on her.

Don’t attempt to touch her mouth for she may unknowingly bite you. Just stay with her and gently stroke her body. Tell her things will be okay soon. Take note of the frequency and duration of seizures, which can help the vet in diagnosing her.

If the seizure lasts for over two minutes, your dog may overheat. Move her near the air-conditioner or place an electric fan in front her to cool her.

Get a hand towel and dip it into cold water before wrapping it around her paws. If the seizure extends to more than five minutes, you may have to bring her right away to the veterinary clinic, or at least call the veterinarian immediately.

After the seizures, schedule a visit to the vet so your dog can be evaluated well. It’s best to conduct physical and neurological examinations on your dog for proper diagnosis.

In most cases, seizures are manageable. Just follow the vet’s instructions and don’t try to give or do anything to your dog without first clearing with the doggy doctor. Medications must be prescribed by the vet.

A diet change may help improve the condition of your dog, and even possibly prevent or minimize seizures.

Vitamins and supplements may also help control mild seizures aside from boosting the overall health of pups. And always provide clean, fresh water for drinking.

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Choosing the Right Diet

With or without seizures or any type of illness, you should always feed your pets with good-quality and well-balanced diets. Natural ingredients are better than recipes with artificial flavors and preservatives.

Check also for food-related allergies in your pooch. This is vital to keep your pets active and happy. It can prolong their lives and also avoid frequent visits to the animal hospital.

As for managing seizures, there have been numerous studies that suggest that certain specific diets may be helpful in minimizing and even preventing episodes.

Here are some of the notable findings from various researches on canine epilepsy that can help you choose the best dog food for seizures:

Best Dog Food For Autoimmune Disease

Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT)-Based Diet

Some studies revealed that the frequency of seizures were lower in dogs that were given a MCT-based diet. Coconut oil is known for its high MCT content, which is why it is used as a supplement to regular dog food for dogs with seizures.

MCT is believed to help upgrade brain functions and fat metabolism for better energy. It is recommended for epileptic dogs to take a quarter-teaspoon per ten pounds of body weight twice a day.

Ketogenic Diet

Ketogenic diet or high-fat and low-carb diet has long been known to control seizures in humans. Some animal nutritionists and veterinarians believe this may also be the case for dogs.

Dog food that's high in protein and fats, and low in carbs and salt, are recommended for dogs with seizures.

Weight Control Diet

Many dogs on seizure medication and therapy tend to gain weight. Or if your dog suffering from seizure is obese, a shift to a weight-control dog food may be necessary in order to prevent further gain weight and encourage weight reduction.

Low Salt Diet

Dogs taking potassium bromide dog medication must cut down on salt intake. It's a must to shift to a low-salt diet.

Final Words

Use this review just as a guide in choosing the right dog food for seizures. A diet change may aid in managing your pup's seizures.

But there's no better substitute for your vet's professional advice and recommendations. If your dog's seizures worsen or persist, bring her to your veterinarian.

[year]'s Best Dog Food for Seizures: Help Prevent Seizures with the Right Diet 25

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