When my dog Forrest had his first seizure, I had no idea what to do. He fell out of bed in the wee morning hours while we were asleep, and I was terrified. Seizures are scary, but being prepared makes a huge difference. I want to share what I’ve learned — not just from experience but also from my vet team — so you’ll know how to help your dog if it ever happens. 💜
I’m not a veterinarian. This is based on my journey with Forrest and advice I’ve received from his care team. Please always consult your vet for medical guidance.
🐾 Step 1: Remain Calm
Try not to panic. Your dog needs you to be steady so you can think clearly and be present for him.
🐾 Step 2: Ensure Safety
- Gently place a pillow, towel, or blanket under your dog’s head to protect his head.
- Keep your hands away from his mouth.
- Move him to a safe area away from stairs, furniture, or anything he could hit.
- Remove children and pets from the room — your dog needs a quiet, calm environment during and after the seizure.
🐾 Step 3: Monitor the Seizure
- Time the seizure.
- If it lasts 3 minutes, get ready to head to the nearest emergency vet.
- Grab an ice pack, wrap it in a towel, and place it on your dog’s back. Seizures raise body temperature very quickly, and overheating can be dangerous—even fatal.
- If the seizure lasts 5 minutes, it’s an emergency — go to the nearest emergency immediately.
🐾 Step 4: Avoid Restraining
Do not hold your dog down — it can cause injury.
Instead, stay close, speak softly, and let him know you’re there.
🐾 Step 5: Protect From Harm
- If your dog is frothing at the mouth, you can gently wipe away foam — but don’t put your fingers near his mouth.
- Never put anything in his mouth.
🐾 Step 6: After the Seizure (The Postictal Period)
Your dog will be disoriented and may feel scared or restless. Here’s how you can help:
- Allow him to rest in a quiet area.
- Keep him away from stairs.
- He may need help going outside.
- If he lost bladder or bowel control, gently clean him with lukewarm rags. Avoid baths, wipes with strong smells, or anything that might stress him further, which can trigger a second seizure.
- Blow out candles, keep noise low, and make the day as calm as possible.
- Offer a snack and fresh water once he’s stable.
🐾 Step 7: Seek Veterinary Attention
- If it’s your dog’s first seizure: Call your veterinarian or head to an emergency animal hospital right away.
- If your dog has seizures regularly: Follow your vet’s instructions for rescue meds and after care.
📱 Helpful tip: Record the seizure on video if you can — it helps your vet understand what happened.
📝 Keep a seizure log with date, time, and duration. (The PetVitality app is perfect for this! Keep reading for info on how you can get three months FREE!)
🐾 The Importance of Being Prepared
When Forrest was diagnosed with epilepsy, I quickly learned the importance of being prepared — not just emotionally, but financially too.
Pet Insurance
Every dog is healthy… until they aren’t. Emergency care, seizures, cancer, surgeries — bills add up quickly. Having pet insurance means you’ll never be forced to choose between your wallet and your dog’s care.
I use Healthy Paws for Forrest and put all bills on my Care Credit card (they offer interest-free promotions). Healthy Paws reimburses me, and I pay off the balance. It has been a lifesaver.
👉 If you’re shopping for pet insurance, look for a plan with no lifetime cap. A $10k cap may sound like a lot, but one major surgery or cancer diagnosis can use it up fast.
If your dog already has a pre-existing condition, don’t lose hope. AKC Pet Insurance offers coverage for pre-existing conditions after one year. That first year can still cover other medical needs, and after that, you’ll have support for the condition too.
(Check policy disclosures for all details. I am not affiliated with AKC or Healthy Paws.)
🐾 Helpful Tools for Pet Parents
One tool I love is the Pet Vitality app. It lets you track vaccines, preventatives, medical notes, and yes — seizures. The seizure log is fantastic! I love having all of Forrest’s health info in the palm of my hands for easy reference. It gives me such peace of mind. The developer has given me codes to share with my readers that gives user 3 months FREE! Here are instructions for how to redeem for Apple and Android users.
Android: Code: EPIDOGMOM
Apple devices: Use this link:
[https://apps.apple.com/redeem?ctx=offercodes…](https://l.facebook.com/l.php…)
If you experience any issues using these codes, please send me a message and let me know!
🐾 Final Thoughts
Seizures are terrifying, but knowledge is power. Being prepared means you can help your dog safely and calmly.
If you’d like to learn more about what life with a seizure dog is like, I share daily updates about Forrest on his Facebook page. Not everything I post is about seizures—because Forrest is so much more than his epilepsy! I share about his adventures, silly moments, and day-to-day life, too. My hope is to help other pet parents by sharing our experiences and to raise awareness about canine epilepsy.
Forrest is proof that dogs can live a happy, full, and “normal” life with epilepsy. Yes, adjustments have to be made, but every one of them is worth it. Caring for a special needs dog is truly a privilege. I’d take his seizures away in a heartbeat if I could, but I wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world.
If this post helps you, please share it on your social media. So many pet parents face seizures without knowing what to do — your share could give them hope and guidance.
From our lavender world of grace, we’re holding onto love, walking by faith. 💜
The Epi Dog Mom Blog 
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