Even the healthiest dog can experience seizures, and it is one of the most painful sights for dog parents to witness.
While there’s no pain involved, the panic, confusion, and discomfort that your dog suffers can put you on edge.
Witnessing this can make you also feel helpless because there’s nothing you can do at the moment except for seeing a vet as soon as possible. Despite being a common neurological problem in dogs, there can be several reasons behind the condition, and therefore, addressing it can be a challenge.
Diet can play a role in preventing seizures. In addition to proper veterinary care, making a few changes to the diet can be helpful.
I have picked the best dog foods for seizures to help you understand your options better.
The 8 Best Dog Foods for Seizures
| Top Picks | Rating | Top Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hill’s Prescription Diet — l/d Liver Care Pork Flavor Dry Dog Food | 4.9 | Brewers Rice, Pork Fat, Egg Product, Soybean Meal, Flaxseed |
| 2. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets — HA Hydrolyzed Formula Dry Dog Food | 4.8 | Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Isolate, Partially Hydrogenated Canola Oil, Coconut Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate |
| 3. Rachael Ray — Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food | 4.8 | Salmon, Chicken Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Dried Peas |
| 4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness — Large Breed Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food | 4.7 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Tapioca Starch, Menhaden Fish Meal |
| 5. Royal Canin — Veterinary Diet Ultamino Dry Dog Food | 4.7 | Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Poultry By-Products Aggregate, Coconut Oil, Soybean Oil, Natural Flavors |
How to Switch Dog Food Without Getting Your Pup Sick
1. Hill’s Prescription Diet — l/d Liver Care Pork Flavor Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Brewers Rice, 2. Pork Fat, 3. Egg Product, 4. Soybean Meal, 5. Flaxseed
A severe case of liver disease can cause seizures in dogs and can also affect your furry buddy’s mental abilities and behavior. While treating the disease under a professional vet’s supervision is important, feeding a prescription diet that supports your dog’s liver function can help keep seizures at bay. Supporting the liver can be of great benefit as the organ can repair itself and the right diet can make a lot of difference.
This pea-free recipe boosts liver function and improves the conversion of nutrients. With moderate levels of high-quality protein, the formula also aids in regenerating liver tissues without stressing the organ. Since liver diseases are also associated with nutrient deficiencies, the recipe is formulated with S+OXSHIELD to ensure it meets the specific nutrient standards. If your dog is suffering from compromised liver function, you might want to get your vet’s approval to start this diet right away. Highly recommended!
2. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets — HA Hydrolyzed Formula Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Corn Starch, 2. Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Isolate, 3. Partially Hydrogenated Canola Oil, 4. Coconut Oil, 5. Dicalcium Phosphate
This specific hydrolyzed formula by Purina is one of the best options for feeding your dog. This recipe not only help dogs with seizures but also offers various health benefits to the overall wellbeing of your beloved pet.
The complete and balanced diet is rich in essential minerals and nutrients that your dog requires for healthy sustenance. This particular formula is well suited for dogs with dermatitis and allergic gastroenteritis. These allergic reactions are commonly associated with seizures in dogs. If allergies turn out to be the underlying reason why your dog is triggered, this option can be a great choice. The absolute vegetarian formula is also easy to digest with low-fat and moderate levels of pure protein content and formulated for canines with neurological conditions. It is a top pick for dog parents looking for the best dog foods for seizures.
3. Rachael Ray — Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Salmon, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Menhaden Fish Meal, 4. Sweet Potatoes, 5. Dried Peas
This salmon and sweet potato recipe is a great option by Rachael Ray that I highly recommend, especially for its nutrient formulation. Some dog owners fail to provide the essential nutrients to their pup, which could affect the overall strength and health of the canine. With this recipe in hand, you can ensure a diet that is formulated to perfection with the best nutrients to give your dog everything they need for a healthy body and a strong immune system.
The grain-free formula has salmon as the primary ingredient, which makes it rich in protein and essential fatty acids and guarantees a significant improvement in dogs who suffer seizures. Additionally, the chicken ingredient and the supplemental chicken fat add to the overall nutrition profile to give your dog the energy to fight diseases and stay active throughout the day. The delicious flavor of the blend is another reason why I suggest this option for picky eaters.
4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness — Large Breed Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Peas, 4. Tapioca Starch, 5. Menhaden Fish Meal
Large and giant breed dogs are naturally more susceptible to different health conditions, including neurological problems. I picked this grain-free, chicken-based recipe by Blue Buffalo Wilderness for its special formulation that offers a great nutrient profile for large dogs. Prevent seizures and other health problems by offering your big guy a diet that rich in essential nutrition necessary for your dog’s great health.
The high-protein recipe boosts heart health, nervous tissue, fat metabolism, and keeps joints strong — also, the digestible proteins in the meal help with repairing the muscles and keep organs healthy. This recipe targets the health issues that cause seizures in your big dog. Feed your dog a bowl full of great flavors and help them with a comfortable life by picking this option.
5. Royal Canin — Veterinary Diet Ultamino Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Corn Starch, 2. Hydrolyzed Poultry By-Products Aggregate, 3. Coconut Oil, 4. Soybean Oil, 5. Natural Flavors
Allergens are commonly associated with seizures in dogs, and if that’s what you’re trying to prevent, this Royal Canin Veterinary Diet should be your ultimate choice. Composed of digestible proteins, DHA, EPA, and prebiotics, the formula has an impressive nutrient profile to support the digestive health of your dog and offer various neurological benefits that help prevent seizures in dogs.
The recipe is prepared with selective ingredients to help dogs prone to allergies. The formula can deal with allergic reactions almost immediately and can assist pooches in maintaining optimal health without showing signs of discomfort and behavioral issues. Free from grain and gluten, the veterinarian-recommended recipe is excellent for dogs with sensitive stomachs and aids with healthy and balanced nutrition.
6. Instinct by Nature’s Variety — Raw Boost Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2.Chicken Meal, 3. Chickpeas, 4. Tapioca, 5. Chicken Fat
This raw boost recipe formulated for small breed dogs helps maintain their optimal health. Rich in protein, the formula supports the organs and immunity in dogs and is recommended for smaller dogs that experience seizures. The nutrient-dense recipe stimulates the benefits of unprocessed food and helps with the absorption of nutrients. This recipe is sourced from high-quality ingredients and loaded with essential nutrients to keep your dog healthy and thriving.
7. Wellness Simple — Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Turkey & Potato Formula Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Turkey, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Potatoes, 4. Peas, 5. Dried Ground Potatoes
The limited ingredient diet includes supreme-quality ingredients, handpicked to craft a formula that helps a dog deal with food allergies that may cause seizures. The complete diet is rich in balanced nutrients and includes fewer primary ingredients to reduce the risk of triggering sensitivities and allergies in dogs. Strengthen your tail-wagger’s immunity to prevent common health issues, including neurological disorders.
8. Nulo — FreeStyle Grain-Free Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Puppy Dry Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Turkey, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Salmon Meal, 4. Chickpeas, 5. Chicken Fat
Highly palatable and digestible, this grain-free recipe by Nulo is great for dogs with neurological problems. Compromised brain development and cognitive health can cause seizures in canines. Therefore, I highly recommend a diet that supports hounds with healthy brain development and maintenance. Rich in essential nutrients and supplemental DHA, the recipe is also great for digestion because of its excellent nutritional balance.
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FAQs
What could cause a dog to experience seizures?
Several reasons could cause a dog to experience seizures, such as being exposed to toxic elements, liver disease, kidney disease, low or high blood sugar, electrolyte problems, anemia, brain cancer, strokes, encephalitis, head injury, allergies, and infections. Getting your dog diagnosed can help you address the cause behind seizures, which enables dog owners to provide them with proper diet and treatment.
Is a seizure painful for dogs?
Your dog may look confused and panicked, but the condition isn’t painful. However, some external factors can cause pain, so you need to be extra careful if your dog is having a seizure. Since they lose control over their body movement, there’s a chance they accidentally get hit by the items around the house. Immediately remove everything around them, so they do not fall or get hurt.
Can I get my dog treated for seizures?
Since the underlying cause of seizures is unknown, curing the condition is unlikely. However, treatment helps control the symptoms and prevent your dog from experiencing seizure episodes. You cannot eliminate it, but you can lessen the occurrence. In addition to seeing a vet for medication, changing your dog’s diet is one thing that can help you with this.
What are the common symptoms to identify seizures in dogs?
Symptoms can include:
- Jerking
- Collapsing
- Stiffening
- Loss of consciousness
- Muscle twitching
- Chomping
- Drooling
- Foaming in the mouth
- Tongue chewing
- Paddling motions with legs in the air
- Rapid body movements
- Involuntary urination or pooping
Before the attack, the dog may seem like he’s staring into a blank space. You may also witness the after-effects of seizures in terms of weird behavior such as disorientation or wobbliness.
Are there different types of canine seizures?
Yes. The common one is known as the generalized seizure or a grand mal seizure. During the attack, a dog can convulse and lose consciousness due to abnormal electrical activity throughout the brain. This one can last up to a few minutes.
A focal seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain as well, but in this case, only a certain part of the brain is affected. This type of seizure may affect one side or a certain part of the dog’s body. It can cause unusual movements.
Then there is a psychomotor seizure, which leads to a strange behavior that could last for a few minutes. You may notice your dog chasing its tail or attacking an imaginary object while they are experiencing the seizure. This one’s a little tricky to identify because it can cause any odd behavior.
Seizures caused by unknown sources are known as idiopathic epilepsy. This type of seizure is more common in Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Beagles, Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Tervurens, and German shepherds.
How do I comfort my dog if seizures become frequent?
As challenging as it may seem, the best way to comfort your dog is to stay calm when your beloved fur buddy is having a convulsion. By staying calm, you will be able to focus and control the situation in the most appropriate way. Stay alert, even if the condition makes you restless. Avoid moving or petting him until the seizure completely stops.
Is there a higher chance of seizures in older dogs?
Seizures due to epilepsy are rare in older dogs and are usually common in dogs between six months and six years of age. However, mature dogs may still experience seizures due to other health disorders. Keep track of your pet’s health to stay more aware of their condition. It will prepare you to avoid life-threatening situations.
Spasms in older dogs can be associated with any of the following conditions:
- Kidney failure
- Heat issues
- Tumor
- Liver disease
- Poisoning
Can I give my dog medication to prevent or stop seizures?
The situation shouldn’t be alarming if you are familiar with the initial symptoms and patterns of seizure. If it becomes more frequent and happens 2-3 times in a month, it is best to consult a vet and resort to medications. The seizure drugs are quite effective in controlling the condition for canines.
Is it normal for my dog to have a seizure episode during sleep?
Yes, there’s a possibility for that to happen. However, the reason for it is still unknown. Almost ninety percent of cases of seizures occur during sleep. It is during this period that certain brain functions can be triggered abnormally. Other times when seizures typically happen are during feeding or in the event of excitement.
Can food-related allergies cause seizures in dogs?
Yes, they can. As stated earlier, nutrition can play both a positive and negative role in maintaining your canine’s health. Food can be the ultimate cause behind convulsions that your pooch experiences. For instance, if you feed a meal that’s too high in sodium, it could lead to salt toxicity. As a result, your dog may experience pancreatitis and seizures.
Can specific dog food help treat dog seizures?
While there’s a high chance to prevent dog seizures with diet, this is entirely subjective and is on a case by case basis. A specific diet might work for one dog, but it may not have the same positive impact on other dogs. Therefore, it all boils down to what suits your dog and what kind of nutrition is helping them prevent the condition.
Can I give supplements to my dogs to reduce the instances of seizures?
There aren’t any solid results of using supplements for dog seizures. However, certain supplements can improve the overall health of your hound, and that could help with reducing the occurrence of seizures. It can be a good start for some dogs, so look for the right supplements that offer complete nutrition.
What to look for in dog food for seizures?
Since the main focus is on boosting the functionality of organs and improving the overall health of your buddy, here are a few things you must ensure in a suitable diet for dogs who suffer seizures:
- Natural ingredients
- High-quality ingredients
- Lots of animal fats
- High-quality animal protein
- Omega-3 Fatty acids
What should I do if my dog is having a seizure?
Stay calm and alert, and try to clear the area to keep your dog from getting hurt. Do not pet the dog or insert your hand in its mouth, even if your dog is biting its tongue. Wait for the duration to complete. Keep your dog cool by applying wet cloth or cold water around the dog’s neck, paws, legs, groin, and head. Engage with him and check for his response to your voice. Talking to your pet and helping me through the process will make him feel less confused and alone. It gives them the support they need.
Can a vet diagnose epilepsy in my dog?
You should always see a vet for a proper diagnosis. Not only will a professional help you understand the condition and suggest possible treatment methods, but they can also help you take care of your dog and his diet better.
Buyer’s Guide
Seizures in dogs can be a frightening condition. Seeing your dog suffering a seizure is a painful sight. While there are ways to control it, unfortunately, seizures cannot be treated completely. In addition to giving medication and supplements, changing your dog’s diet can also create a big difference in their overall health and the frequency of the occurrence of seizures.
Seizures are difficult to treat because many reasons could trigger convulsions. Usually, the condition is associated with abnormal brain signals that could interfere with normal neurological functions.
Most dog parents opt for a more suitable diet to address this problem and manage the disorder. Here you will find all the information that you are looking for regarding the best dog foods for seizures.
Understanding Seizures in Dogs
When a canine experiences a momentary disturbance in normal brain function, it often leads to seizures. There are many reasons behind the condition. It can happen due to liver disease, toxic ingestion, and even genetics.
While switching to a more appropriate diet sounds like a great idea, you must also seek professional assistance to give your beloved four-legged friend an appropriate anti-seizure medicine. As far as the diet is concerned, you can choose the best option after the initial diagnosis. For instance, if the seizures are associated with liver disease, a diet that guarantees improved liver function is more suitable. So you can always speak to your vet before switching to a more appropriate food option.
Common Causes of Seizures in Canines
As mentioned earlier, there are many causes of convulsions in canines. The most common ones are:
- Genetics: Some breeds are more prone to developing seizures. In short, genetics do play a role in passing down this condition. So if your dog is a Labrador Retriever, Beagle, Golden Retriever, or Belgian Tervuren, you should be more conscious about their health and diet.
- Epilepsy: One of the most common reasons your dog suffers seizures is this inherited disorder. The abnormal electrical activity in the brain can cause temporary changes in the behavior.
- Liver Problem: The liver is the largest organ in your dog’s body, which makes it even more important to boost liver care as a severe liver disease could cause seizures.
- Heart Problem: Stroke and spasm can cause convulsions to appear in canines.
- Kidney Problem: When your dog’s kidney is under stress, it can release a large quantity of nitrogen in the blood, which increases the acidic levels in their body. Kidney failure and other kidney problems can present themselves as seizures in dogs.
- Hypoglycemia: The condition occurs when there are abnormal glucose levels in canines, which can lead to delayed response time and lack of energy.
- Infections: Toxin exposure, rabies, virus, or a parasite infection, and congenital issue are common infections that may cause seizures in younger dogs.
- Head injury: Serious head injury can cause head trauma, which can trigger seizures in canines. In some cases, head injuries can impact the skull and cause a crack, which may not appear immediately. The trauma can cause convulsions.
You should have a better idea about your fur buddy and his condition based on the symptoms. It is best to discuss it in detail with your vet to give your pup the right medication. Finding out the underlying cause can also help with opting for a more appropriate diet that could control the occurrence of seizures in canines.
Seizures in Dogs and Food Recommendations
Prescription Diet: Veterinarians usually recommend veterinary recipes and prescription diets to control seizures in dogs. A diet that offers additional liver care is often prescribed as medication can put extra stress on the liver and cause side-effects. Vets may also recommend a diet with hypoallergenic properties and food that’s rich in potassium bromide and free of salt.
Protein-Rich Diet: Pet health experts also recommend a diet that is rich in proteins and fat, with low to moderate levels of carbs.
Ketogenic Diet: According to the latest studies, the popular ketogenic diet can benefit dogs suffering from seizures. Just like it works for a human body, the diet stresses the body to utilize the fats to use as energy. Since the ketogenic diet is also recommended to humans for treating epilepsy, the diet is expected to show great results in dogs as well.
Natural Treatments for Canines that Suffer Seizures
In addition to the vet-prescribed medication and altered diet, you can also provide natural treatment to your canines suffering seizures. Here are some other options:
- Medicinal Oils: Natural oils with medicinal properties are a good option for rubbing into your dog’s skin to calm them down. It also helps administer during the convulsion.
- Essential Fatty Acids: These are given to your tail-wagger in the form of pills, oils, or spray. It is best to include it in the food you are feeding your canine. These significant elements are great for combating convulsions in dogs.
- Taurine: This is another supplement that’s often included in a dog’s diet to minimize the symptoms and reduce the occurrence of seizures.
What to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for Seizures
Seizures are associated with different health conditions, which are often related to nutrient deficiencies. Now that’s where we need to focus. The key is to look for complete and balanced nutrition for your dog that helps them with overall wellbeing.
Here’s what you need to look for in the best dog foods for seizures:
- High-Quality Natural Ingredients: If you are going to pick the healthiest kibbles for your hound, make sure you only consider brands consisting of high-quality natural ingredients. To keep seizures in control, your dog needs the best ingredients that rich in nutrients.
- Lots of Animal Fats: Keeping the ketogenic diet rules in mind, a diet that’s rich in fat is an excellent option for dogs that suffer seizures. Opt for healthy fats that give your pet the energy they need to boost neurological functions.
- Rich in Animal Protein: Your dog needs an abundance of premium-quality animal protein. Animal-based protein includes ten essential amino acids that boost organ functionality in dogs and help build muscles.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Food options that are rich in omega-3 can also help a dog suffering from seizures.
Conclusion
With all that information in hand related to the symptoms, potential causes, and treatment for seizures in dogs, you now have a direction to proceed.
With the top brands and selection of best dog foods for seizures covered in this article, you can put the most suitable one to testing right away. Ensure your pup’s comfortable life and offer a diet that improves the overall health and wellbeing of your darling little one.
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