The Epi Dog Mom Blog

New Year’s Eve is right around the corner, and if you have a dog that’s sensitive to fireworks — especially a neurologically sensitive or epileptic dog — now is the time to start planning. Don’t wait until the the day of.

For dogs like Forrest, fireworks aren’t just “scary” — they are a neurologic trigger.

Fireworks around us often start early (sometimes before it’s even fully dark) and go on for days, not just one night. Because of that, we plan ahead every year.

Here’s what I do for Forrest 👇

⏰ We feed early.
It gets dark around 5ish here, and once fireworks start, Forrest will not eat, drink, or go potty. So we feed him early, take our NYE photos early, and get settled in for a calm night before the noise starts.

✓ We have a medical plan in place.
Forrest’s neurologist and I have worked out a fireworks protocol specific to him.
Last year, Forrest had a seizure 24 hours after NYE fireworks. We know firsthand, delayed triggers are very real for him and many seizure dogs.

⚠️ Important note:
Before Forrest had seizures, he used trazodone — and it worked great.
However, trazodone can lower the seizure threshold, so it’s no longer safe for him.
That said, it can be a great, affordable option for non-epileptic dogs. Many vets can call it into a pharmacy, and you can often use GoodRx to keep costs low.

If you have an epileptic dog, please talk to your dog’s neurologist (or vet) about what is safe. If you don’t have a neurologist yet and your dog has seizures, I highly recommend getting one.

✨ We focus on comfort & pressure.
Forrest wears:

• A ThunderShirt (linked here.)
• Cotton balls in his ears (large ones only — never small, we don’t want anything getting stuck in the ear canal)
• A Happy Hoodie over his ears to hold everything in place (linked here.)

He stays in my lap all night. No complaining here. I love my big lap dog. ❤️

✨ Enrichment is prepped — even if he doesn’t use it.
I always have frozen enrichment treats ready (lick mats, long-lasting treat toys), even though Forrest usually has zero interest once fireworks start.
Many dogs do benefit from these, so they’re worth trying and having on hand.

(Find Forrest’s fav enrichment toys here in our Amazon store.)

✨ We keep the environment calm and familiar.

• Safe, quiet space
• Water and enrichment treats available
• Soft music or TV
• No blaring TV (we don’t normally watch TV loud, and honestly, he would still hear the fireworks anyway)

The goal is to keep things as normal and calm as possible — the fireworks already provide more than enough stimulation. 🧨

🚫 Please do not leave dogs outside during fireworks.
Even dogs who “seem fine” can panic. Dogs give subtle stress signals that are easy to miss. Always provide a safe indoor space.

🧠 For seizure dogs specifically:
You should already have:

• Rescue meds on hand
• A cluster-buster plan

If you haven’t yet, now is the time to have a conversation with your dogs neurologist about fireworks. Some dogs may benefit from a temporary protocol to help them through this time, which can sometimes make seizures milder — or prevent one altogether. Forrest will be given Xanax and extra Keppra, per his neurologist, to help him through the fireworks.

💛 Most important takeaway:
Know your dog.
Plan ahead.
Don’t wait until the night of.
NYE is only 9 days away.

‼️Important note about CBD & epileptic dogs

CBD is often recommended online for fireworks anxiety — but epileptic dogs are different.

CBD can interact with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) like phenobarbital, Keppra, and others. These interactions can:

• Change how seizure medications are metabolized
• Reduce their effectiveness
• Actually increase seizure activity in some dogs

Because of this, CBD should never be tried for the first time during fireworks or other high-stress events unless it is already part of a neurologist-approved treatment plan for your epileptic dog.

I learned this the hard way.
I gave Forrest CBD from a reputable, highly rated, expensive brand — and instead of helping, it triggered seizures for him.

CBD can be helpful for some dogs, but epilepsy adds a layer of complexity that requires medical guidance. What works beautifully for one dog can be dangerous for another.

If you have an epileptic dog and are curious about CBD, this is a conversation to have with your neurologist well in advance, not something to experiment with on New Year’s Eve.

Disclaimer:
I am not a veterinarian or neurologist (as stated in my disclaimer). I am a dog mom — and an epileptic dog mom as of July 2024 — who believes deeply in education, research, and advocacy.

I share fact-based information from research and from my dog’s veterinary and neurology team — not guesswork, trends, or “miracle” claims. I don’t know everything, but I do have real-life experience, and I care deeply about helping other dog parents feel less alone navigating this disease. ❤️‍🩹

I created this blog so other epilepsy dog parents would have a place to turn for organized, practical support, because there is so much to learn — and no one should have to figure it out alone.

If this blog helps you in any way, or if you have a friend who may find it helpful, please consider subscribing and sharing. 🫶🏼

Affiliate Disclosure:
Some of the items I share are linked through our Amazon store. If you choose to purchase through those links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These are products I personally use with Forrest and would recommend regardless of commission. 🐶

From our lavender world of grace, we’re holding onto hope, walking by faith. 💜

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