Archive · 2 Sep 2026
What Pet Parents Should Do During a Seizure
A seizure happens when a pet’s brain suddenly has unusual electrical activity.
A dog or cat may fall over, become stiff, paddle its legs, or act strangely.
Move hard or dangerous objects away, but do not hold the pet down unless necessary for safety.
Keep your hands and other objects away from its mouth because pets do not swallow their tongues.
Use a phone to time the seizure and record it if you can do so safely.
Afterward, the pet may be confused, hungry, thirsty, or unable to see normally for a while.
A seizure lasting five minutes or more is an emergency.
Repeated seizures or several seizures in one day also need prompt veterinary care.
A veterinarian can investigate possible causes and decide whether treatment is needed.
Clear nearby hazards, reduce noise and light, and do not restrain the pet unless needed for safety.
Never put fingers or objects in a pet’s mouth; pets do not swallow their tongues during seizures.
Time the seizure and record a video if it is safe, since both can help the veterinarian.
Keep pets quiet and protected after a seizure, as confusion, pacing, unusual behavior, or temporary blindness may last hours.
A seizure lasting five minutes or longer, repeated seizures without recovery, or multiple seizures within 24 hours requires urgent veterinary attention.
- Who
- Dogs and cats experiencing seizures, along with their pet parents and veterinarians.
- What
- Guidance on safely managing a seizure, monitoring recovery, and knowing when to seek veterinary care.
- When
- During a seizure, during the post-ictal recovery period, and when warning signs require urgent help.
- Where
- At home or wherever the seizure occurs; emergency veterinary care may be needed.
- Why
- To reduce injury and panic, provide useful information to the veterinarian, and obtain timely treatment when necessary.
- Emergency duration
- A seizure lasting 5 minutes or longer is an emergency.
- Repeated seizures
- Repeated seizures without adequate recovery between them require urgent veterinary attention.
- Multiple episodes
- Multiple seizures within 24 hours warrant prompt veterinary attention.
- During the seizure
- Move hazards away, reduce noise and light, and avoid restraining the pet unless necessary for safety.
- Mouth safety
- Never put fingers or objects in the pet’s mouth; pets do not swallow their tongues during seizures.
- Useful records
- Record the seizure’s date, duration, appearance, recovery time, and a video if safely possible.
- Possible causes
- Causes may include idiopathic epilepsy, low blood sugar, liver disease, electrolyte abnormalities, toxins, inflammation, strokes, or brain tumors.