Can Human Food Give Dogs Seizures?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Some household foods known to be potential toxins that cause dog seizures include:

Methylxanthines (caffeine, dark chocolate) Salt Poisoning (excessive seawater, table salt or Play-Dough ingestion) Xylitol (artificial sweetener)

What causes a dog to suddenly have seizures?


Idiopathic epilepsy

, the most common cause of seizures in the dog, is an inherited disorder, but its exact cause is unknown. Other causes include liver disease, kidney failure, brain tumors, brain trauma, or toxins. “Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common cause of seizures in the dog.”

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 certain foods cause seizures?

Can any foods trigger seizures?

There is currently no evidence that any type of food consistently triggers (sets off) seizures in people with epilepsy

(except for rare types of ‘reflex epilepsy’ where seizures are triggered by eating very specific foods).

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.

Did my dog just have a seizure?

Remember: If your dog is having or has just had a seizure for the first time,

write down all the details you can remember about it and schedule an appointment with your vet

. And if you think your dog may have ingested something toxic that could have caused the seizure, get to an emergency vet right away.

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.

Can carrots cause seizures in dogs?

Fruits, including tomatoes and carrots,

can actually trigger a seizure in some dogs

. Certain dairy products, like cheese (particularly if it is moldy), cottage cheese and milk are also danger foods.

Can dehydration cause seizures in dogs?


The brain swells, causing seizures

, lack of blood supply to the GI tract causes ulcers. Dehydration leads to irreversible kidney damage. All these catastrophic events take place within a matter of minutes. Especially susceptible are brachycephalic breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs or Pekingese.

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.

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.

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.

What foods can trigger seizures in dogs?

  • Methylxanthines (caffeine, dark chocolate)
  • Salt Poisoning (excessive seawater, table salt or Play-Dough ingestion)
  • Xylitol (artificial sweetener)

What food helps 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 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.

What does a dog seizure look like?

What Are the Symptoms of Seizures? Symptoms can include

collapsing, jerking, stiffening, muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling, chomping, tongue chewing, or foaming at the mouth

. Dogs can fall to the side and make paddling motions with their legs. They sometimes poop or pee during the seizure.

How long are dogs confused after a seizure?

Once the seizure has ended, dogs will have a prolonged post-ictal recovery period. This period may last

up to 24 hours

, depending on the individual dog. During the post-ictal period, dogs are typically confused and disoriented.

Why do dogs have seizures at night?

We know that some dogs inherit idiopathic epilepsy from their parents, but the exact reasons they occur are unknown. Other causes of dog seizures while sleeping are

kidney failure, brain tumors, brain trauma, liver disease, toxins, neoplastic growths, metabolic disorders, and more

.

What to give small dogs for seizures?


Phenobarbital

. Phenobarbital has been used for decades to suppress seizures in dogs and is typically the first medication prescribed by vets for dogs experiencing seizures. It is estimated that 80% of dogs on phenobarbital experience a decrease in seizure frequency of 50% or more.

Can dog seizures be cured?

Since

there is no cure for epilepsy in dogs

, treatment with anti-epileptic drugs (AED) will be focused on reducing the severity and frequency of your dog’s seizures without causing unacceptable side effects. This approach is successful in approximately 15-30% of dogs.

Can a dog live with seizures?

Though

life expectancy of the pet may not be affected

, the odds of an epileptic going into complete remission and not requiring ongoing therapy are low: 6-8 percent in dogs. Thus dogs with epilepsy usually require lifelong therapy and commitment from the pet owner.

Can worms cause seizures in dogs?

Heartworms can also cause nosebleeds, pneumonia, high blood pressure, seizures, blindness, and excessive sleeping.

When heartworms reach places other than the heart and lungs, like the brain and eyes, dogs will experience seizures and blindness

.

Can separation anxiety cause seizures in dogs?

Can separation anxiety cause seizures? According to VCA Hospitals, seizures can occur when there is a change in brain activity. These are usually times of excitement or feeding.

If your dog has already been diagnosed with seizures, anxiety can be a trigger

.

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.