Are seizures painful for dogs?

Dogs are usually unconscious during generalised seizures and do not feel pain in the way we might imagine. They may be confused, tired, or hungry after the episode — the post-ictal phase.

Can puppies have seizures?

Yes — low blood sugar in toy breeds, toxins, and congenital conditions can cause seizures in puppies. Any seizure in a puppy needs prompt vet assessment.

What is status epilepticus?

A seizure lasting over five minutes, or seizures back-to-back without full recovery between them. This is an emergency — phone your vet or emergency clinic immediately.

Are tremors the same as seizures?

Not always — localised tremors may be pain, fear, cold, or idiopathic head tremors in some breeds. Full-body collapse with paddling and loss of awareness is more likely a seizure.

Dog Health

Dog Seizures and Tremors: UK Guide for Owners

Published 25 June 2026Last updated 25 June 20264 min read

Quick answer

A generalised seizure involves collapse, rigid or paddling limbs, drooling, and loss of awareness. Keep your dog safe, time the episode, and call your vet afterward — or immediately if a seizure lasts over five minutes, repeats in clusters, or follows toxin exposure. Tremors from fear or cold are different from true seizures.

Seizures vs tremors

Tremors — shivering when cold, shaking when anxious, or localised head tremors in some breeds — usually stop when the trigger passes. Your dog stays aware and responsive.

Seizures — often start with collapse, stiff limbs, rhythmic paddling, jaw chomping, drooling, and loss of consciousness. Afterward, dogs may be disoriented, wobbly, hungry, or temporarily blind — this post-ictal phase can last minutes to hours.

Needs investigation:

Any first seizure — even if it stops quickly
Seizures becoming more frequent or longer
Seizures with other illness signs — weight loss, behaviour change, or pale gums
Cluster seizures — more than one in 24 hours

Common causes in UK dogs

Cause	Typical signs	Notes
Idiopathic epilepsy	Seizures in otherwise healthy young to middle-aged dogs	Diagnosis of exclusion
Toxin exposure	Sudden seizure, vomiting, drooling	See Xylitol poisoning, Chocolate poisoning
Low blood sugar	Seizures in toy puppies or diabetic dogs	Needs urgent correction
Liver disease	Seizures with jaundice or vomiting	Blood tests identify cause
Brain tumour	Progressive seizures, behaviour change	More common in older dogs
Infection or inflammation	Fever, neck pain, neurological signs	Needs specialist assessment
Head trauma	Seizure after injury	Emergency care

Idiopathic head tremors

Some breeds develop harmless head bobbing when alert — often Bull Terriers and Dobermans. The head shakes vertically or horizontally while the dog remains standing and responsive. Video helps your vet distinguish this from seizures.

When to see a vet urgently

Phone your vet immediately or go to emergency out-of-hours care if:

A seizure lasts more than five minutes
Multiple seizures without full recovery between them
Known or suspected toxin ingestion
Seizure after head trauma
Your dog does not regain consciousness within a reasonable time
First seizure in a puppy or diabetic dog
Seizure with difficulty breathing or pale or blue gums

Phone your vet the same day after any first seizure that has stopped — even if your dog seems fine afterward.

What to do during and after a seizure

During a seizure:

Time the episode — start to finish
Move furniture and hazards away — do not move your dog unless they are in danger
Do not put your hands near the mouth — dogs cannot swallow their tongue
Dim lights and reduce noise if possible
Note what happened before — exercise, food, stress, or possible toxin access

After a seizure:

Speak calmly and let your dog rest in a quiet space
Offer water once they are fully alert
Video or notes help your vet — date, time, duration, and behaviour before and after
Book a vet appointment — do not wait for a second seizure to seek advice

What not to do:

Do not give human epilepsy medicines
Do not restrain your dog forcibly during active seizuring
Do not assume one seizure means lifelong epilepsy — your vet will investigate

What your vet may do

Examination may include neurological assessment, blood tests, and review of medications or toxin access. Your vet might recommend:

Blood tests — liver, kidney, glucose, and electrolytes
Anti-seizure medication if seizures are frequent or severe
Imaging or referral to a neurologist if signs are atypical
Toxin investigation if exposure is possible

Many dogs with epilepsy live well on medication. Early diagnosis improves management and safety at home.

Sources & further reading

Facts in this guide are rewritten in plain English from publicly available UK advice. We name the organisation where a specific point comes from their guidance. Links below go to the original pages — use them to read the source material directly.

PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Guidance checked against sources listed below (last updated 2026-06-25).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are seizures painful for dogs?: Dogs are usually unconscious during generalised seizures and do not feel pain in the way we might imagine. They may be confused, tired, or hungry after the episode — the post-ictal phase.
Can puppies have seizures?: Yes — low blood sugar in toy breeds, toxins, and congenital conditions can cause seizures in puppies. Any seizure in a puppy needs prompt vet assessment.
What is status epilepticus?: A seizure lasting over five minutes, or seizures back-to-back without full recovery between them. This is an emergency — phone your vet or emergency clinic immediately.
Are tremors the same as seizures?: Not always — localised tremors may be pain, fear, cold, or idiopathic head tremors in some breeds. Full-body collapse with paddling and loss of awareness is more likely a seizure.