---
title: "Dog Seizures and Tremors: UK Guide for Owners"
description: "A seizure in dogs involves collapse, paddling, drooling, and loss of awareness. Keep your dog safe, time the episode, and call your vet."
url: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/dog-seizures-and-tremors"
canonical: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/dog-seizures-and-tremors"
date_published: "2026-06-25"
date_modified: "2026-06-25"
source: "PETHEALTH+"
---

# Dog Seizures and Tremors: UK Guide for Owners

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](/health/dog-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](/health/xylitol-poisoning-in-dogs), [Chocolate poisoning](/health/chocolate-poisoning-in-dogs) |
| **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](/health/dog-pale-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.

## Related guides

- [Why is my dog shaking?](/health/why-is-my-dog-shaking)
- [Xylitol poisoning in dogs](/health/xylitol-poisoning-in-dogs)
- [Chocolate poisoning in dogs](/health/chocolate-poisoning-in-dogs)
- [Dog balance problems](/health/dog-balance-problems)
- [Dog pale gums](/health/dog-pale-gums)

## FAQs

### 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.

## Sources

- [PDSA — Dog health advice](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub)
- [Blue Cross — Dog health and injuries](https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice)
- [RSPCA — Dogs](https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs)

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Last modified: 2026-06-25