Seizures in Dogs & Cats: What To Do
A seizure is frightening to watch, but your job is simple: keep your pet safe, do not restrain them, time it, and call your vet. Most single seizures stop on their own within a couple of minutes.
Warning signs
- Collapse with paddling or jerking limbs
- Stiffening of the body
- Drooling, chomping or foaming
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Unresponsiveness, glazed stare
- Confusion or wobbliness afterwards
What NOT to do
- Do NOT put your hands near the mouth — pets cannot "swallow their tongue" and you may be bitten
- Do NOT restrain or hold your pet down
- Do NOT splash water or shout
- Do NOT give food, water or medication during the seizure
- Do NOT ignore a first-ever seizure — always tell your vet
What to do — step by step
- Stay calm and note the time — timing the seizure is genuinely important for your vet.
- Clear the area of hard or sharp objects and furniture so your pet cannot hurt themselves.
- Gently move them away from stairs or edges if needed, holding the body, never the head or mouth.
- Dim the lights, keep noise down, and speak softly — do not restrain the movements.
- When it stops, keep your pet warm and quiet, and call your vet. Seizing for more than 5 minutes, or repeated seizures in a row, is a life-threatening emergency — go to the vet immediately.
Background & prevention
Seizures have many causes — epilepsy, low blood sugar, liver problems, toxins (including some plants and foods like xylitol) and heatstroke among them. A single brief seizure in an otherwise well pet is usually not immediately dangerous, but it always warrants a vet visit to find the cause. Filming the episode on your phone, if you safely can, helps your vet enormously. Seek emergency care if a seizure lasts over five minutes, if several happen close together, or if you suspect poisoning — see our emergency guide.
This is first aid to buy time — it is not a substitute for a vet.
Related: All first-aid guides · Pet poison emergency · Xylitol poisoning
General first-aid information, not veterinary treatment. Always contact your vet or an emergency clinic as soon as possible. Full disclaimer.
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