If you’ve ever witnessed a dog having a seizure, you were undoubtedly concerned. When a dog has a seizure, he generally falls to the ground and keeps his legs stretched out in front of him. He might paddle his legs depending on the circumstances, and he could run about in an agitated circle for several minutes before falling over.
There is no known cure for epilepsy. However, feeding a nutritious diet to epileptic dogs can help control the condition.
As a veterinarian, I have spent many hours researching and recommending the best dog foods to help manage seizures in dogs and researched the best ones so you don’t have to.
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One of the most exciting new areas of research in canine epilepsy is on the effects of diet.
According to professor Holger Volk who leads dog epilepsy research “Breeders and dog owners have often told me that they feel that the food that they give to their dogs does influence the control of their seizures.”
The team at the RVC demonstrated this in a study that showed a diet rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) can help control seizures {1}
71% of dogs showed a reduction of seizure frequency!
These anecdotal observations kindled the idea of looking closer at the effect of diet on dogs with epilepsy.
Holger emphasised the importance of giving a consistent diet, which can be extremely difficult in a real world situation, because one of the effects of epilepsy drugs is to stimulate appetite and so these dogs will always be looking for food.
Giving leftovers from human meals can further add to the challenge of looking after a pet with epilepsy because ingredients, such as high salt levels in many human foods, can interfere with how dogs process some of the AEDs. It is not just the amount of food that matters, the individual nutrients are also important.
The team at the RVC demonstrated this in a study that showed a diet rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) can help control seizures1.
The study was a six-month randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded crossover study conducted in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy that were also being administered AEDs.
It demonstrated for the first time that a test diet with MCT oil can have positive effects on reduction of seizure frequency when fed as an adjunct to veterinary therapy (71% of dogs showed a reduction in seizure frequency, 48% of dogs showed a 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency and 14% of dogs achieved complete seizure freedom).
In this article we will look at:
- The best dog food For seizures.
- Signs & causes of seizures.
- What to do if your dog has a seizure.
What are seizures?
Seizures are also known as “fits.” They occur when your pet’s normal brain activity causes them to lose control of their muscles.
A fit, which can look like a twitch or uncontrollable shaking, can last for a few seconds or for several minutes. Your pet might have one seizure in their lifetime or they could have a condition called epilepsy, which can cause frequent fits if your pet doesn’t get treatment.
The signs your pet is having a fit
If you suspect that your pet is about to have a seizure, you may notice them acting strangely. Some animals will appear dazed or look off into the distance before having a seizure, or they might appear confused or on edge. If your pet has recurrent seizures, you could develop the ability to identify these symptoms so that you can tell when one is approaching.
Although seizures aren’t necessarily deadly, your pet may lose control of its body, which might be distressing.
Here are some things that usually happen if your pet has a fit:
- Fierce trembling or jerking.
- Glazed eyes.
- They may dribble.
- Their jaw could be clamped shut.
- They might wee or poo during the fit.
- They might stop reacting to your voice or touch.
What causes pets to have fits?
There are a variety of causes for your pet’s fit. Episodes may be isolated events, but they can also indicate the presence of a more serious underlying problem.
Common causes are:
- Pets suffering from epilepsy can have regular fits and sometimes need medication to keep them under control.
- If your pet has an untreated illness – such as kidney disease or diabetes – they might have fits.
- Head trauma. If your pet has fallen over or knocked its head on something, it could have a fit.
- Heatstroke. Overheating is very serious for pets and could cause them to have a seizure. You can find out more about the signs and symptoms of heatstroke here.
- Some poisons can affect your pet’s brain and cause them to have a fit. If you’ve noticed them eating or drinking anything they shouldn’t, speak to your vet immediately. You can find out more about common poisons and hazards here.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG HAS A SEIZURE
Keep yourself calm! talk to your dog softly to reassure them. Avoid touching them – they may unknowingly bite. Time your dog’s seizures, Call your vet when the seizure ends. If dogs have a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes or has several in a row while they are unconscious, take them to a vet as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, seizures have no known cure, however, as already mentioned, introducing a healthy diet for epileptic dogs is a sure way to manage it.
CBD has been used for both dogs and humans with epilepsy because of the fact that it reduces seizures by calming down excess electrical activity in the brain. Check out our article on CBD to help dogs with Seizures
8 Best Dog Foods to Help With Seizures in 2022
Whether you go dry or wet food, one of the easiest ways for you to determine good dog food is by reading the label and looking out for the AAFCO Statement.
All of the dog foods on this list are in accordance with the AAFCO nutrient profile recommendations for dogs.
Best Dog Food for Seizures
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Neurocare Dry Dog Food
A complete pet food for adult and senior dogs, containing medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil and a specific combination of nutrients proven to have a beneficial effect on brain function.
Key Benefits
- Omega-3 fatty acids to help support brain health.
- Antioxidant Vitamins E & C to support a healthy immune system.
- High in protein to maintain lean muscle mass.
Veterinary Authorization
This item needs authorization from your veterinarian. Simply provide your pet and vet clinic information at Checkout and we’ll follow up with your veterinarian to confirm.
If you have a copy of your authorization, you can expedite the process by uploading a scan or photo of it to the Prescriptions section in your account or your order confirmation. You can also email it to vetdiet@chewy.com.
Diet Transitioning
Pets can be sensitive to sudden changes in their diets. For this reason, it is extremely important to follow a gradual transition plan to best support your pet’s health and product effectiveness.
Ask your veterinarian about the best way to transition your pet to a new food.
Best Grain Free Dog Food for Seizures
ORIJEN Regional Red Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned Beef, Deboned Wild Boar, Deboned Goat, Deboned Lamb, Deboned Liver
- Type of product: Grain-Free, Chicken-Free, High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Natural, Raw, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for High Protein, Special Diet
Featuring an unmatched diversity of red meat, ORIJEN’s Biologically Appropriate Regional Red dog food feeds your dog’s biological need for a diet rich and varied in fresh, whole animal ingredients.
Regional Red is packed with ranch-raised beef, wild boar, Boer goat, grass-fed lamb, Yorkshire pork, and wild-caught fish. They use whole animal ingredients, including meat, organs, cartilage, and bone, providing nutrients in their most natural and nourishing form.
Two-thirds of their animal ingredients are FRESH or RAW, for a concentrated source of protein. From Dachshunds to Great Danes, ORIJEN Regional Red nourishes dogs of all breeds and life stages completely.
Key benefits
- Biologically appropriate dog food
- The first 5 ingredients are fresh or raw beef, boar, goat, and lamb ingredients. The fresh ingredients use refrigeration as the sole method of preservation and the raw ingredients are frozen at their peak freshness.
- Crafted with 85% quality meat ingredients, for a strong source of essential protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- WholePrey diet features the most succulent parts of the prey including meat, organs, and bone.
- Freeze-dried coated for a burst of raw flavor!
Best High Protein Dog Food for Seizures
ACANA Red Meat Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- First 5 ingredients: Beef, Pork, Beef Meal, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans
- Type of product: Grain-Free, Chicken-Free, Natural, High-Protein, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Gluten-Free, Raw No artificial Colors or Preserves
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for High Protein, All Breeds
ACANA Red Meat Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is crafted with 60% animal ingredients including ranch-raised beef and Yorkshire pork, plus 40% fruits, vegetables, and botanicals.
There are also vitamins, minerals, natural preservatives, and probiotics added, and zero artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
ACANA always uses premium ingredients from a curated group of trusted farmers, ranchers, and fishers, and every batch of food is made in their state-of-the-art Kentucky kitchen.
Key benefits
- Crafted with Fresh and Raw Ingredients: Matches the natural diets and physiology of dogs to best meet their natural nutritional needs
- Grain-Free and High-Protein: High in protein and full of key nutrients with fresh or raw animal ingredients, whole vegetables, fruits, and botanicals
- The first 2 ingredients in this nutrient-dense, high-protein recipe are fresh or raw beef and pork.
- Features fresh or raw veggies and fruit, including whole pumpkin, collard greens, apples, and pears, which are nutritious and high in fiber.
- Nutrition for All Life Stages: Free of grain, gluten, potato, and tapioca ingredients, making it a nourishing food for dogs of all ages.
Best Dry Dog Food for Seizures
ZIWI PEAK -VENISON RECIPE
- First 5 ingredients: Venison, Venison Tripe, Venison Heart, Venison Lung, Venison Liver
- Type of product: No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Grain-Free, Pea-Free, Non-GMO, High-Protein, GMO-Free, Natural
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for High Protein, Limited Ingredients Diet
This diet includes fresh meat, organs, bones, and green mussels for a natural source of chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint health.
It also contains high taurine levels to promote heart health. Using a gentle twin-stage air-drying process, they naturally preserve all the ingredients, which also eliminates pathogenic bacteria.
There’s no need to rehydrate since the air-dried food contains more moisture than dry kibble—and because there’s also no need for preservatives, sugars, and glycerine, the food is safe, clean, and easy to handle.
About this item
- HIGH PROTEIN & NUTRIENT DENSE: whole-prey diet: featuring 96% real meat, organs, and New Zealand green mussels
- GRAIN-FREE, LOW CARB & LIMITED INGREDIENT DIET: made without unnecessary carbohydrates or fillers Other brands include low-quality cheap fillers such as grain, potato, or peas that can be associated with a sensitive stomach, obesity, food allergy, and other health concerns
- 10% HEALTHY SUPERFOODS: Z-Boost superfood inclusions deliver an all-natural nutrition boost that helps to promote your dog’s health Highly palatable and delicious cold-washed green tripe is a natural source of enzymes and probiotics for improved digestion New Zealand Green Mussels contain chondroitin, glucosamine, and omega-3 for joint health and to help with sensitive & dry skin and maintain a healthy coat Organic Kelp is a natural source of minerals and antioxidants known to improve metabolism, reduce inflammation and protect the heart and brain
- ALL LIFE STAGES & ALL BREEDS: Formulated for a puppy, adult, and senior dogs – ZIWI’s holistic approach is for all life stages, optimized for small, medium, and large dog breeds
- ETHICAL & SUSTAINABLE NEW ZEALAND INGREDIENTS: 100% free-range, grass-fed meats, and wild-caught seafood, all sourced from New Zealand farms and pristine oceans Raised without added hormones, antibiotics, or growth promotants.
Best Digestive Care Dog Food for Seizures
Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural
- First 5 ingredients: Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potato, Tapioca, Dried Egg
- Type of product: Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, High-Protein
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
Formulated without grain or gluten, this special formula is ideal as a high-protein, grain-free alternative diet.
Turkey meal, chicken meal, and whitefish meal provide high-quality protein sources to help develop and sustain energy and muscle function.
Carefully chosen vegetables and fruits, such as peas, blueberries, cranberries, apples, carrots, and spinach contain antioxidants important for everyday optimal health.
L-carnitine helps convert body fat into muscle and energy, supporting lean muscle mass and overall body conditioning.
Balanced Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role in establishing the lipid barrier of the skin, supporting the healthy maintenance of your dog’s skin and coat.
Key benefits
- Wholesome antioxidant nutrient-rich natural vegetables and fruits
- Turkey meal, chicken meal, and whitefish meal provide high-quality protein sources to help develop and sustain energy and muscle function
- Carefully chosen vegetables and fruits, such as peas, blueberries, cranberries, apples, carrots and spinach contain antioxidants important for everyday optimal health
- L-carnitine helps convert body fat into muscle and energy, supporting lean muscle mass and overall body conditioning
- Balanced Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role in establishing the lipid barrier of the skin, supporting healthy maintenance of your dog’s skin and coat
- Made with high-quality ingredients and processing technologies for excellent digestibility and nutrient.
Best Sensitive Stomach Dog Food for Seizures
Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Tapioca, Herring Meal
- Type of product: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Raw, Natural
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
With real meat as the 1st ingredient, this high protein, gluten-free dog food is healthy nutrition, boosted with probiotics to support digestion and omegas for skin and coat.
This best-selling dog food is made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meal, artificial colors, or preservatives – ingredients known to trigger food sensitivity.
Raw Boost grain-free dog food is complete and balanced nutrition for all dogs, made with cage-free chicken as the first ingredient for strong, lean muscles.
It also has high levels of omegas for healthy skin and coat, plus more antioxidants for immune health.
Key benefits
- GRAIN FREE DOG FOOD WITH FREEZE DRIED RAW CAGE FREE CHICKEN: Instinct Raw Boost natural dry dog food combines high protein, grain-free kibble with all-natural bites of freeze-dried raw chicken. Cage-free chicken is the #1 ingredient.
- NATURAL DOG FOOD PLUS FREEZE DRIED RAW PIECES: Raw Boost is high protein dog food with probiotics to support healthy digestion and omegas for skin & coat. Made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meal, artificial colors, or preservatives.
- POWER OF RAW INGREDIENTS: Our dog food is made with the pure, real nutrition of raw. Raw is natural, made from real meat & whole food ingredients, protein-packed & minimally processed. Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.
Best Raw Dog Food for Seizures
Stella & Chewy’s Raw Blend Red Meat Recipe
- First 5 ingredients: Beef, Pork, Pork Meal, Barley, Oatmeal
- Type of product: Raw, High-Protein, Pea-Free, Natural,
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
This protein-packed food is crafted with multiple meat sources, including beef, pork, lamb, bison, venison, and goat—plus, the “whole prey” approach to creating a wholesome meal means muscle meat, organ meat, and cartilage are all used.
Better yet, it’s free of artificial ingredients, fillers, preservatives, potatoes, and legumes.
Key benefits
- This recipe is packed with meat from six animal proteins: beef, pork, lamb, bison, venison, and goat. Poultry free
- Wholesome grain recipe with no potatoes or legumes. No peas, lentils, by-product meals, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives added
- Nutrient-dense recipe using “whole prey” ingredients – muscle meat, organ meats, and cartilage, with 78% of protein from animal sources
- Each bite of our Raw Coated recipes is coated in delicious and nutritious freeze-dried raw meat. Made with responsibly sourced proteins including grass-fed beef + organic fruits & veggies
- Supports whole-body health with the right blend of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids including probiotics for digestive health and taurine for heart health
Best Natural Dog Food for Seizures
The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Recipe
The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food is made with free-range chicken, simple garden produce, and organic whole-grain barley.
It is higher in protein and fat than other Honest Kitchen recipes, making it perfect for puppies and active adult dogs.
The formula is a hearty, budget-friendly recipe made with quality ingredients dogs crave. Plus, it’s made right here in the USA with no by-products, preservatives, or GMO ingredients.
Key benefits
- AAFCO complete diet contains higher calories and protein, ideal for pregnant dogs, puppies, and active adults of all breeds and sizes.
- HUMAN GRADE: Unlike most pet food, this recipe is 100% human grade – made with human-grade ingredients & produced in a human food facility. That means higher quality ingredients & more safety standards, just like you’d expect from your own food.
- FREE RANGE CHICKEN & ORGANIC GRAINS: The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken dog food is made with real whole food ingredients like free-range chicken, organic oats & bananas, which are gently dehydrated for maximum nutrient retention & digestion.SUITABLE FOR PUPPIES & ADULT DOGS: Complete & Balanced nutrition for adult dogs and puppies of all breeds and sizes, including large breed puppies, as well as adult mothers (gestation/lactation).
- WE SAY NO TO: This recipe contains no preservatives, by-products, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat, or soy.
Best dog food for seizures - The bottom line...
There is no known treatment for epilepsy. Introducing a good diet to epileptic dogs, on the other hand, is an excellent approach to manage it. The above list contains the top dog foods for seizures available today.
The usual approach is to contact or visit your veterinarian once a seizure has occurred. Only your veterinarian can tell you what causes your dog’s seizures and how to treat them.
CBD has been used for both dogs and humans with epilepsy because of the fact that it reduces seizures by calming down excess electrical activity in the brain. Check out our article on CBD to help dogs with Seizures
References:
- https://www.rvc.ac.uk/research/research-centres-and-facilities/clinical-investigation-centre/news/nutrition-breakthrough-to-help-manage-dogs-with-epilepsy#
- https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/complete-and-balanced-pet-food
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/centers/nutrition/dog-food-label-lessons-what-is-an-aafco-statement
- https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/health-and-care
