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Watching your dog have a seizure can be a traumatic experience, but there is hope for both you and your pet. Our rescue dog, Legend, battled seizures, and through our journey to help him, we discovered how the right supplements for dogs with seizures could benefit many other dogs as well. Since Ask Ariel began in 2005, we have helped hundreds of families navigate dog epilepsy holistically using a combination of conventional treatments and natural remedies for dog seizures.
It’s important to understand how seizures affect your dog’s brain. Seizures occur when there’s a sudden surge of abnormal electrical activity, causing neurons to misfire uncontrollably. Without proper control through medications or supplements, these misfires can intensify over time. This phenomenon, known as the "kindling effect," means that each seizure may prime the brain for for more frequent and severe episodes. That’s why early and consistent management is important.
While some dogs may be fortunate enough to experience only a single seizure, managing the condition with medication alone is often not enough. Many dogs continue to have breakthrough seizures even while on medication, and increasing drug doses or adding more drugs can lead to unwanted side effects. From our experience, the most effective approach is a combination of holistic and conventional dog epilepsy treatments.
"Our happy-go-lucky pup, Legend, was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. For most of his life, we managed his seizures holistically with help from our vet. By documenting his seizures, we discovered that they occurred when he hadn’t eaten for a while. Legend would eat grass and vomit before having a seizure, so we learned to watch the signs and averted seizures several times with food and digestive supplements. For seven years, this holistic approach kept his seizures to about one to three a year - better than most dogs on antiepileptic medications.
At 8.5 years old, things changed. Legend needed thyroid medication (hypothyroidism can affect seizures) and required anesthesia for a growth removal. Because he couldn’t eat before the anesthesia, the acid stomach caused him to have a grand mal seizure during surgery. After that, his seizures became more frequent, about every two months. We learned that as more seizures occur, it lowers the overall seizure threshold, making it likely that the seizure disorder will worsen. Legend’s seizures soon escalated to clusters, with five occurring in three days. The post-seizure phase was terrible - he was disoriented, agitated, & restless, sometimes staying up all night in a manic state. The seizures drained his personality, leaving him depressed and lethargic for weeks.
We sought the advice of a veterinary neurologist, Dr. Michelle Murray. She reviewed Legend's seven-year seizure history. While other clinics pushed for an MRI (which could trigger more seizures due to fasting for anesthesia), our neurologist believed Legend had idiopathic epilepsy, which is common in Siberian Huskies. Dr. Murray was hopeful for him and what happened next was truly a miracle.
Dr. Murray worked with us to introduce a very low dosage of Keppra into Legend’s schedule. His Keppra was given three times a day and his other supplements and CBD oil were given at other times. We made a huge commitment to keep his regimen for feeding, medications, supplements and activity as close to regular as we possibly could. This meant taking him with us as much as we could (he has always had separation anxiety) or hiring a pet sitter and keeping him on a regular schedule.
Over time, we saw our bouncy boy come back to us. Legend started playing with other dogs, wanting to go on walks and greeting guests when they walked in the door (previously he was hiding in another room). Legend didn’t have any side effects from the medication and had a wonderful quality of life, something we never thought possible at the height of his cluster seizures. Legend was seizure-free for over 6 years before losing his battle with liver cancer."
Happy Paws Drops: Organic Hemp Extract For Dogs
CBD is one of the most effective natural treatments for dog seizures. It helps calm overactive nerve signals and support healthier brain function, which may help reduce both the frequency and severity of seizures. In a 2019 veterinary study*, 89% of dogs using CBD alongside their regular seizure medications had fewer seizures — promising findings for pets who weren’t getting enough relief from drugs alone. *Reference: Journal of the American Veterinary Association. June 1, 2019.
Happy Paws Drops is a full-spectrum, organic hemp extract grown in Colorado and bottled in the USA, delivering cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that work together — without harmful THC, pesticides, or fillers. Ask Ariel’s veterinary-strength formula has helped many seizure dogs, including our own Legend, and is carefully dosed for safety and effectiveness.
Amazing Omegas: Brain Health and Inflammation Support
Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are critical for neurological health. Amazing Omegas provide the high quality fish oil to support cognitive function and reduce inflammation, which can be a trigger for seizures. Amazing Omegas is naturally processed and third-party tested to ensure our omega-3 supplement is free of toxins and heavy metals (including mercury and PCBs). It is concentrated to provide a highly therapeutic dose from a small amount of oil. The quality and purity just can’t be compared.
K9 Digestive Enzymes: Gut Health For Seizure Control
Scientific researchers are studying the important connection between the gut and the brain, referred to as the "gut-brain axis". The gut microbiome includes hundreds of species of bacteria and is now recognized as an important part of animal health. A healthy microbiome can influence brain function and may in fact affect seizure activity. K9 Digestive Enzymes contains ox bile extract and HCL to improve nutrient absorption and reduce systemic inflammation.
Power Probiotic: Immune and Digestive Support
Power Probiotic is an effective, multi-strain probiotic that helps to improve your dog’s microbiome, which in turn can support overall immune health and digestive function. For dogs with seizures, maintaining a healthy gut-brain connection is important, as inflammation and imbalances in the gut can potentially impact neurological health. Power Probiotic works to restore balance in your dog’s gut, helping to reduce inflammation and promote better digestion, which may also help support their seizure management. Power Probiotic is safe and natural.
Dog Brain Booster: Focused Brain Health Support
Dog Brain Booster contains phosphatidylserine and acetyl-L-carnitine to support and nurture brain health. While it is particularly helpful for focal seizures or dogs with brain tumors, it serves as an excellent foundational supplement for dogs with seizures to support long-term cognitive function.
Managing dog seizures can be challenging, but there are practical steps you can take to help reduce their frequency and severity. By combining conventional treatments with holistic approaches, you can provide your dog with comprehensive care. Here are 8 tips that can support your dog's overall health and potentially help limit seizures.
1. Consult A Neurologist: When a dog has its first epileptic seizure, depending upon the age and other health issues affecting the dog, the most common next step is a "wait and see" approach. Some dogs may never have another seizure. Some dogs may have another seizure a week later. Every dog is different. If your dog has a couple of seizures in a relatively short period of time, seek out the advice of a veterinary neurologist.
2. Identify Triggers: Document every episode. Changes in routine, loud noises, excessive heat, certain foods, and even emotional stress can play a role. By recognizing triggers, you may reduce the frequency of seizures.
3. Optimize Your Dog's Diet: A diet for dogs with epilepsy should be high-quality protein, low-carbohydrate, and grain-free to reduce inflammation. Food allergens (such as soy, poultry, and grains) can be a trigger for seizures. A homemade or raw frozen commercial diet can be helpful. Feed your dog a small snack at bedtime (such as raw freeze dried treats) as sometimes low blood sugar can trigger a seizure. Please include your dog’s diet and treats on the order form at checkout, and we will provide diet tips on the packing slip that comes with your product directions.
4. Rule Out Other Conditions: Work with your veterinarian to determine if other conditions, such as hypothyroidism or liver disease, may be a factor.
5. Maintain Consistency: Feed and medicate your dog at the same time every day to maintain a stable seizure threshold. Breakthrough seizures often occur due to unintentional inconsistency in administering medications. Try to have a backup plan for your dog when you need to be gone from the home extra hours or are traveling.
6. Reduce Environmental Stress: Dogs with seizures tend to be more sensitive to their surroundings and small changes can sometimes trigger a seizure. Factors like loud noises, strong fragrances from scented candles or cleaning supplies, and even changes in routine can be triggers for sensitive dogs.
7. Use The Best Supplements For Dogs With Seizures: Whether you try to control your dog’s seizures without medication or use antiepileptic drugs, supplements are an essential part of a seizure dog’s care. According to the AKC, between 20 and 30% of dogs taking antiepileptic medications still experience seizures, and some dogs do not respond effectively to conventional medication at all. This is where natural anti-seizure supplements for dogs can help your pet immensely.
8. Integrate Care: Combine the best of veterinary medicine with holistic remedies for the most comprehensive protection.
We wanted to share a few stories about seizure dogs that have benefitted from the combination of conventional and holistic treatments. It's important to know that things can get better for our dogs, even when their situation feels so dark.
"Hope came to live with us after spending two years at a rescue, where she had been treated for generalized seizures. For years, the phenobarbital seemed to keep her seizures under control. There were stretches of time where we thought she might no longer need it. In July 2019, Hope experienced a cluster of 7 seizures within one week. After consulting with our vet, her phenobarbital dosage was adjusted and she stabilized again.
There were challenges along the way. A blood test revealed that Hope's liver levels were dangerously high, and our vet even suggested she was in liver failure. We started giving her Liver Support and Special SAM-e and added some raw beets to her meals. At her next check-up, her liver values had returned to a healthy range. Even the vet couldn’t believe it was the same dog!
In October 2020, Hope had another setback. Over the course of a single day, she suffered 8 seizures. When the seizures were over, she continued knuckling and bumping into things. We visited a neurologist who added Keppra to her regimen and began weaning her off phenobarbital. Her condition improved with time and she was again seizure-free for a while.
In addition to her medications, Hope took Power Probiotic and Amazing Omegas to support her brain health. For years, these supplements seemed to make all the difference. She did remarkably well until July 2022, when she experienced multiple seizures and likely suffered a stroke, which led to blindness.
Despite these challenges, Hope lived seven wonderful years where her seizures were well-controlled, thanks to a combination of medication and holistic support. I'm grateful for the time we had together and the quality of life we were able to give her during those years."
We hope these stories can give you inspiration and encouragement. Please reach out to us at [email protected] - we are happy to help you find the right natural remedies for your dog’s seizures and overall health. While we cannot provide any consultative advice due to veterinary regulations that require a physical exam, you will receive a compassionate response from our team, and we can honestly say we have been in your shoes and understand what you are going through.
The Gut-Brain Connection: Improving your dog's digestive health with probiotics can directly impact their seizure threshold by reducing systemic inflammation.
Quality Matters: When choosing a supplement for dogs with seizures, ensure it is third-party tested. Toxins like mercury in low-quality fish oils can actually worsen neurological issues.
The Power Of CBD: Full-spectrum hemp extract (without THC) is scientifically shown to support dogs who suffer from breakthrough seizures while on conventional medication.
Dietary Triggers: Grains, soy, and artificial food colorings are pro-inflammatory. Switching to a fresh, low-carb diet for dogs with epilepsy is often the first step in holistic recovery.
Susan Blake Davis, CCN, is a Pet Nutritionist and founder of Ask Ariel, providing veterinarian recommended, human-grade supplements for dogs and cats for over 20 years. Susan developed these supplements after years of working in animal rescue, helping thousands of shelter pets regain their health through holistic nutrition and care.
From 2005 to 2015, she offered holistic pet nutrition consultations at VCA Hospitals and a veterinary oncology center, working alongside Dr. David Gordon, a respected integrative veterinarian in Southern California. Over the years, veterinarians nationwide have recommended Ask Ariel supplements after seeing firsthand the proven results in their patients.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UC Davis with a Master’s from UCLA and certification as a Clinical Nutritionist, Susan’s expertise has been featured in Catster, Dogster, The Los Angeles Times, and the Orange County Register.
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