Natural Remedies for Seizures in Dogs and Cats: What Actually Works
Seizure disorders in our dogs, especially epilepsy, appear to be on the rise.
Are there things that you can do to help prevent this?
Well no one knows for sure, and clearly a combination of genetics/environment is playing a big key.
CBD or Cannabidiol which now has been shown to be a VERY promising alternative treatment with studies happening at Colorado State University.
We do have a natural, whole plant extract CBD tincture for Dogs and Cats here:
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Seizures In Dogs: 7 Natural Remedies
By Dr. Andrew Jones
If your dog has epilepsy, you should definitely consider some alternative remedies for treating seizures. Conventional treatment usually involves veterinary drugs like Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide, both of which can have numerous side effects. Here, I’ll share with you the types of seizures in dogs, their causes, and most importantly, seven effective natural remedies.
Understanding Seizures in Dogs
A seizure is essentially abnormal muscle activity, caused by uncontrolled signals from the brain. It’s a sudden, brief change in how your dog’s brain functions. When brain cells aren’t working properly, it leads to physical changes that we recognize as a seizure.
Types of Seizures:
Dog seizures are classified as either grand mal or localized.
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Grand Mal Seizures: These affect your dog’s entire body. You might see the legs extend and paddle, and the head may become rigid and extended. Dogs often go through cycles of stiffness and relaxation, and in some cases may lose bowel or bladder control.
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Localized Seizures: These affect only specific areas of the body, such as the head or jaw, which may shake or chatter.
Causes of Seizures:
In most cases, the cause of seizures is unknown, termed epilepsy. However, other possible causes include:
- Cancer (e.g., brain tumor)
- Infections
- Brain trauma
- Poisoning
- Low blood sugar
- Hypothyroidism
The age at which seizures start can give clues about the underlying cause. For dogs less than a year old, most seizures are caused by brain infections, like meningitis, or epilepsy. Dogs aged 1-5 years often develop epilepsy, while seizures in dogs over five years are usually due to a brain tumor.
7 Natural Remedies for Seizures in Dogs
1. Atkins Diet
There are reports showing a link between diet and seizures in dogs. One study in humans revealed a significant reduction in seizure activity for those on the Atkins diet. Every pet with seizures should at least try a commercial hypoallergenic diet for 12 weeks.
Most alternative practitioners strongly recommend a holistic diet that is naturally preserved, grain-free, and rich in animal protein. Purina offers an anti-seizure diet rich in protein and fat, especially MCT oil, which is what my dog Angus is currently on.
2. MCT Oil
A diet high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) can help manage seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy when used alongside veterinary therapy. There is no standard MCT oil dose, but based on human doses, a good starting point is 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs, twice daily. Start with half of this dose, as MCT oil can sometimes cause diarrhea, then gradually increase it.
3. CBD Oil: Medical Marijuana
CBD (cannabidiol), a primary component of the cannabis plant, is non-psychoactive and doesn’t produce the “high” associated with marijuana. There is promising research indicating that CBD can help reduce seizure activity and severity.
The starting dose for animals with seizures is 3 mg per 10 lbs, twice daily. You can safely increase this dose up to five times if your dog doesn’t respond initially.
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4. Acupressure
There is a particular acupressure point, GV26, that can be especially helpful in stopping a seizure. This point is where the nose meets the upper lip, immediately below the nostrils. During a seizure, hold this point for about a minute.
5. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) can help reduce brain inflammation. For this, high doses of EFAs are recommended—1,000 mg per 10 lbs of body weight daily. I recommend using krill oil for its higher percentage of anti-inflammatory EFAs, which may cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively. For example, my Ultimate Omega 3 for Dogs and Cats contains 500 mg per 20 lbs.
6. Choline
Choline is used to help create acetylcholine, a nerve chemical. A specific choline product that can help manage seizures in dogs is Cholidin. It can be used alongside conventional medication. The dose is 1-2 pills daily for a small dog and 2-4 pills for a large dog.
7. Magnesium
Magnesium supplementation has been effective in controlling seizures in people, and it might also be beneficial for dogs. Magnesium is generally inexpensive and safe to give at appropriate doses. It is also known to have calming properties, which can help hyperactive dogs.
Start slowly, as it may also work as a laxative at higher doses.
Suggested Doses:
- Magnesium Citrate/Glycinate (Powder Form)
- 0-10 kg: 1/8 teaspoon once or twice daily
- 10-20 kg: 1/4 teaspoon once or twice daily
- 20-40 kg: 1/2 teaspoon once or twice daily
- Above 40 kg: 1 teaspoon once or twice daily
Heal Your Pet Naturally
I’m proud to share that Angus is completely seizure-free without any conventional medication—all thanks to these natural remedies. If your dog or cat suffers from seizures, I strongly suggest giving CBD oil a try. Just be sure to discuss it with your veterinarian first.
Start with a minimum dose of 3 mg per 10 lbs daily, ideally from a whole plant extract with about 0.5% THC or less. Our CBD supplement contains all the helpful cannabinoids and uses hemp seed oil as the carrier for greater effectiveness.
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P.S. Remember, each dog is different, so it’s crucial to work closely with your veterinarian when using these natural treatments. I hope these suggestions help you and your beloved pet.
