Can Food Allergies In Dogs Cause Seizures?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Pets can develop to ingredients that they have been ingesting without symptoms for months to years before showing signs of food allergies. The neurologic manifestation of allergies may be depression, irritability, and

extremely rare, seizures

.

Can diet affect seizures in dogs?

The use of hypoallergenic diets as a treatment for epilepsy in dogs was described in a retrospective study that has only been published in abstract form.

Seven of 8 dogs were reported to experience a reduction in the frequency and severity of seizures with the introduction of an exclusion diet

.

Can food allergies trigger seizures?

In conclusion,

hay fever, eczema, and food allergy, but not asthma, are associated with history of seizures in children

. Risk of seizures was more strongly associated with increased number of comorbid allergic diseases.

What can trigger a seizure in a dog?

  • Epilepsy.
  • Heat Exhaustion.
  • Nutritional imbalances such as thiamine deficiency.
  • Low blood sugar levels.
  • Liver disease.
  • Tumors.

What food is best for dogs with seizures?

  • Purina Veterinary Diets Dog Food – Best Overall.
  • Blue Buffalo Wet Dog Food – Best Value.
  • Ketona Chicken Dry Dog Food – Premium Choice.
  • Grandma Lucy's Artisan Dog Food – Best for Puppies.
  • NUTRO Diet Adult Dry Dog Food.
  • Wellness Natural Wet Canned Dog Food.

What dog breeds are more prone to seizures?

Your dog is most likely to suffer from seizures if he or she is a

Belgian Tervuren, Shetland sheepdog, beagle, Labrador retriever, golden retriever, keeshond, or vizsla

. Other breeds more prone to seizures include the Finnish spitz, Bernese mountain dog, Irish wolfhound, and English springer spaniel.

What food triggers seizures?

Stimulants such as

tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, sweets, soft drinks, excess salt, spices and animal proteins

may trigger seizures by suddenly changing the body's metabolism. Some parents have reported that allergic reactions to certain foods (e.g. white flour) also seem to trigger seizures in their children.

What causes seizures after eating?

Rarely,

the smell of food, eating too much or heavy meals, and gastric distension

can cause a seizure. Seizures are focal, start short after beginning to eat, and do not repeat during the same meal. In reflex epilepsies usually, there is a trigger event in patients' history [5].

Can histamine intolerance cause seizures?

Histamine is considered to be an anticonvulsive neurotransmitter as

its low levels are associated with convulsions and seizures

(Kiviranta et al., 1995; Chen et al., 2003; Hirai et al., 2004).

What foods to avoid for dogs with seizures?

Things to Avoid


Chemical preservatives, such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin

may increase seizure activity, as well. At least initially, organ meats such as livers and kidneys should be avoided. An article in Whole Dog Journal suggests that the diet of a dog with seizures should be free of gluten.

Can gluten cause seizures in dogs?

Seizures –

in extreme cases a severe allergic reaction to gluten could cause your dog to have a seizure

. In this case, you should take your pet to the vets immediately.

What toxins can cause seizures in dogs?

According to the ASPCA,

caffeine, dark chocolate, mushrooms, theobromine, ethanol, and xylitol

can cause your dog's seizures.

How can I prevent my dog from having seizures?


Reducing stress and limiting changes to your dog's environment

can help to prevent seizures, as stress is known to ‘trigger' seizures. Feeding your dog a healthy diet, keeping an eye on their blood sugar and getting them checked regularly by your daytime vet will also come in handy.

Are seizures in dogs common?


Seizures are not uncommon in dogs

. Some breeds are much more prone to having them than others, but all breeds can suffer from seizures at some point in their lives. Seizures in dogs may be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, age, hereditary problems, underlying disease, and more.

What natural remedy can I give my dog for seizures?

In both capsule and tincture form, many natural over-the-counter Western herbs — including

milk thistle, valerian, and oat straw

— are used to treat seizures. Milk thistle is often recommended by holistic veterinarians to be used in conjunction with phenobarbital.

Can weather changes cause seizures in dogs?

Nearly three out of four of owners report a trigger for their dog's seizures. These include stressful situations,

barometric weather pressure changes

, lunar phase, and sleep disturbances.

Why does my dog only have seizures at night?


Low blood sugar, ingestion of poisonous substances, and blood pressure issues

are common causes as well. These causes can take time to reveal themselves – often during sleep. Smaller dogs are prone to seizures that happen due to blood sugar and blood pressure.

Does honey help dogs with seizures?

In animals that experience night seizures, administering melatonin (the naturally-occurring chemical released by the brain to induce sleep) can help.

If a dog has diabetes or is hypoglycemic, a teaspoon of honey once or twice a day, depending on frequency or severity of seizures, is suggested.

Can Peanut Butter give dogs seizures?

Vomiting occurs almost immediately after xylitol indigestion. Within 30 to 60 minutes, your dog can experience hypoglycemia, low blood sugar.

He can also experience lethargy, collapse, liver failure, and seizures

. This can all be caused by just a few grams of xylitol.

Can anxiety cause seizures in dogs?


Stress is a trigger commonly reported by owners

, and may be caused by a variety of situations including changes in the environment, changes in routine, car rides, thunderstorms, and visits to the vet to name a few. Other owners report certain foods or medications seem to trigger seizures in their dog.

Should I put my dog down if he has seizures?


If your dog only experiences one seizure and is otherwise healthy, then you don't need to consider putting it down

. However, if your dog is having multiple seizures and does not respond well to treatment, then euthanasia may be the best decision for both you and your pet.

What foods help stop seizures?

A low glycemic index diet focuses on foods with a low glycemic index, meaning they affect blood glucose levels slowly, if at all. Although it's not understood why, low blood glucose levels control seizures in some people. Foods on this diet include

meat, cheese, and most high-fiber vegetables

.

Can gluten intolerance cause seizures?

The Link Between Epilepsy and Gluten Sensitivity


While this may suggest that gluten sensitivity somehow triggers an epileptic seizure, it remains a difficult case to make

. This is because there is currently no standard measure for gluten sensitivity in people who don't have celiac disease.

What are the 3 main types of seizures?

  • Generalized onset seizures:
  • Focal onset seizures:
  • Unknown onset seizures:

What is a catamenial seizure?

Catamenial epilepsy (CE), also known as menstrual seizures, is

linked to a woman's menstrual cycle and related hormone levels in the body

. Women with CE often have more seizures during certain times of their cycle. This may include: Just before or during menstruation, or period.

Can missing a meal cause a seizure?

Skipping meals


Low blood sugar can sometimes trigger a seizure in people with epilepsy

. Eating regular meals can help your seizures stay controlled.

Is banana good for epilepsy?

The 2018 study was published in the ”Pharmacognosy Research”. The researchers tested the water extracts of banana stem on animals and found that

it was able to reduce the onset and duration of seizures in animals with some forms of epilepsy under laboratory conditions

.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.