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Dog Seizures: What to Do During and After

Paddling legs, jerking, drooling, not responding.

By Pawfessor Editorial Team Reviewed by a veterinarianUpdated

Seizures
On this page
  1. During the seizure
  2. After
  3. Emergency if

Call your vet today. These steps help in the meantime; your vet should still see your dog.

Seeing your dog have a seizure is frightening. Most seizures stop on their own within a couple of minutes. Your job is to keep your dog safe, time it, and get veterinary advice.

If you can, take a short video: it helps your vet understand what happened.

During the seizure

  1. Move furniture away so they can't hurt themselves
  2. Keep your hands away from the mouth: they won't swallow their tongue
  3. Dim the lights and keep it quiet
  4. Time it and, if you can, film it for the vet

After

  1. They may be confused or wobbly for a while: stay close and talk softly
  2. Call your vet to report it

Emergency if

  • It lasts more than 5 minutes
  • They have another before they recover from the first
  • It's their first seizure ever

Frequently asked questions

Should I put something in my dog's mouth during a seizure?

No. Dogs don't swallow their tongues, and you could be badly bitten. Keep your hands away from the mouth.

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