Edited by: Mike Powell
Reviewed by: Abby TexasLast Update:
The Rundown
Best Overall for Seizures: Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
“Prevent your pooch from developing conditions that cause seizures by giving him the best diet from the get go. Acana Singles Dry Dog Food makes it easy for you to properly nourish your dog while avoiding common allergens which may trigger seizure in dogs.”
Best Raw and Kibble Mix: Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dog Food
“If you want to keep your dog healthy and protected, premium is the way to go. The Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dog Food provides a great mix of kibble and raw bits for optimum nutrition.”
Best For Puppies with Seizures: Wellness Core Grain Free Puppy Food
“This puppy food is ideal for your energetic fur ball because it’s rich in protein, fat, and has a good calorie count. It has DHA for brain development, calcium to grow strong bones and Omega fatty acids that add extra brain boost.”
1 in 20 dogs experience seizures in their lifetime. While it may not seem that common to you, there’s still a risk that your very own pooch may suffer from it – sometimes, without you even noticing.
Seizures can present itself in many forms – it could be a twitch or an uncontrollable shaking. It’s not exactly life threatening but, if it happens very often, it can cause permanent damage to your dog’s mobility and even his behavior.
As a dog parent, it’s your responsibility to make sure your dog is properly nourished and protected from all types of diseases like seizures.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- Best Dog Food For Seizures and Epileptic Dogs
- 1. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dog Food
- 2. Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 3. Wellness Core Grain Free Dry Puppy Food
- 4. Zesty Paws Salmon Bites
- 5. American Journey Grain Free Dog Food
- 6. Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Morsels
- 7. Rachel Ray Nutrish Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 8. Taste Of The Wild Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 9. Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
- 10. Stella & Chewy’s Surf ‘n Turf Dinner Patties
- 1. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dog Food
- How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Seizures
- What to Do When Your Dog Is Having a Seizure
- Questions & Answers
Best Dog Food For Seizures and Epileptic Dogs
Here are our top picks for the best dog food for seizures:
- Best Overall for Seizures: Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dog Food
- Best Raw and Kibble Mix: Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Best For Puppies With Seizures: Wellness Core Grain Free Dry Puppy Food
- Best Supplement For Seizures: Zesty Paws Salmon Bites
- Best Value For Money: American Journey Grain Free Dog Food
- Best Raw Food: Stella & Chewy's Dinner Morsels
- Best Lower Calorie Diet: Rachel Ray Nutrish Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Best For All Life Stages: Taste Of The Wild Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Best For Muscle and Brain Development: Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
- Best Organic Dog Food: Stella & Chewy's Surf 'n Turf Dinner Patties
1. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Best Overall for Seizures
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PROS
- A wide variety of flavors to choose from
- Most common allergens are avoided
- Significantly high Omega 3 fatty acid levels
- Limited ingredients help prevent food-related seizures
CONS
- Slightly pricey
This dog food from Acana is a limited ingredient diet that is biologically appropriate for most dog breeds. It is designed to be like a dog’s natural diet in the wild which means it doesn’t have any artificial or problem ingredients that may trigger seizure in dogs.
This particular formula uses grass-feed lamb as its main ingredient. It doesn’t only have the ideal protein content that is healthy and beneficial for your dog, it’s also easy for digestion which is ideal for dogs who are a little sensitive on the tummy.
Avoids Allergens
There are five different recipes in this flavor range, all of which avoids chicken, potato, and grains which are the most common allergens for dogs.
2. Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best Raw and Kibble Mix
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PROS
- A great mix of kibble and raw bits for optimum nutrition
- High fat count for active dogs
- Poultry-free for those pups who suffer from allergies
- Good Omega 3 fatty acid counts
CONS
- Expensive compared to others
- Contains no DHA, although has good Omegas
- Slightly high in calories
The Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dog Food is a perfect mix of kibble and raw, freeze-dried bits of meat formulated to ensure your pooch gets all the best nutrients in one meal. It’s ideal for dogs of all ages, sizes, and activity levels. The protein and fat content are well within the recommended range to avoid kidney and liver failure which are two of the most common reasons for seizure in the dogs.
High Omegas But No DHA
The Omega 3 fatty acids content in this dog food is higher than other products in this price point. The high Omega levels make it an ideal food for dogs who have skin and coat problems.
3. Wellness Core Grain Free Dry Puppy Food
Best For Puppies With Seizures
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PROS
- Rich in protein and fat
- Good Omega 3 fatty acid levels
- Contains DHA for healthy brains and eyes
- Good calorie count for active puppies
CONS
- Slightly pricey
- No glucosamine
- May not be suitable for puppies who are sensitive to poultry
Wellness Core Grain Free Puppy Food is a high protein and fat diet that’s ideal for energetic, growing puppies. There’s added DHA to help your little one’s brain develop properly. It also has a great calcium/phosphorus ratio which helps ensure your puppy grows with strong and healthy bones.
Perfect For Puppies’ Nutritional Needs
The Omega 3 fatty acids provide excellent support in maintaining your dog’s healthy and shiny skin & coat. It also adds an extra brain-boost. At 417 calories a cup, it provides enough energy to sustain an energetic and bouncy fur ball through the day.
4. Zesty Paws Salmon Bites
Best Supplement For Seizures
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PROS
- High in healthy fats and packed with Omega fatty acids
- Contains great levels of DHA and EPA
- Added vitamins for an immune system boost
- Promotes skin and fur health
CONS
- Some dogs may not like eating supplements (you will need to get creative!)
These salmon-flavored treats are packed with nutrients and extra supplements that will keep your dog properly nourished while providing support for brain development and skin & coat health.
Omega Boost
This dog food contains Omega 3, 6, and 9 which is a complete profile of essential fatty acids for heart, immune, and skin health support. Salmon meal and Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil are premium sources of these fatty acids. It also has a special ingredient, DHAGold, which is sourced from algae. The DHA and EPA provide brain boost by properly nourishing your dog’s brain tissue.
5. American Journey Grain Free Dog Food
Best Value For Money
PROS
- High protein and fat levels
- Very good Omega fatty acid levels, and includes DHA as well
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
- Fairly affordable compared to others
CONS
- May have quite a fishy smell
- Not suitable for dogs sensitive to poultry (contains chicken meal)
The American Journey is one of the most balanced diet that you can give your dog. Its complete nutrition profile is intended to help you protect your dog from any disease, especially seizures.
Premium Quality For Less Cash
This dry dog food is loaded with high-quality ingredients, starting with deboned salmon as its main ingredient. Chicken and turkey meal are added to round up the protein count. Veggies are sourced fresh and include peas, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and carrots, adding vitamins and slow-burning carbohydrates to keep blood sugar up.
6. Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Morsels
Best Raw Food
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PROS
- Very high in fat, which is great expendable energy
- Top of the range Omega fatty acid levels
- Good calorie count
- Can be used as a kibble topper or as a food by itself
CONS
- Somewhat pricey in comparison to others
These dinner morsels are formulated as a skin and coat recipe but its nutritional profile is great for pups who suffer from seizures. The ingredients are organic, all-natural, and completely healthy. It has a significantly high Omega fatty acid levels, perfect for your dog’s skin and coat. This is a highly recommended dog food for pups on a raw diet, if you aren’t keen to making your own.
High In Fat
This raw, freeze-dried food is packed with animal muscle and organ meat (which is loaded with nutrients and amino acids), and animal fat and sunflower oil to up those healthy fats. With 32% fat content, it is ideal for dogs who are full of energy, as fat is utilized in the body as easily-metabolized energy that can be tapped into quickly.
The Omega fatty acid levels in this dog food are within the recommended range and the guaranteed analysis list also contains linoleic acid, which is an Omega-6 fatty acid.
7. Rachel Ray Nutrish Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best Lower Calorie Diet
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PROS
- Absolutely no grains included
- Good carbs for sustained energy
- Quality animal protein sources
- Chelated minerals for easy and quick digestion
CONS
- Slightly lower in Omega fatty acids than others
This dog food from Rachel Ray is a grain free, limited ingredient formula that contains nothing synthetic or artificial. It is absolutely healthy and safe even for dogs who can be sensitive to some artificial ingredients and proteins.
Low calorie diet for weight management
This dog food has a lower calorie count which is perfect for dogs who are starting to gain weight or senior dogs with a significantly less active daily routine.
8. Taste Of The Wild Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best For All Life Stages
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PROS
- Perfect nutritional values for most dogs, no matter life stage or breed
- Good Omega fatty acid levels
- Contain superfood ingredients for added vitamins
- No grain, gluten, or artificial stuff
CONS
- Bags are not resealable
- May have a fishy smell
The nutrients in this grain free dry dog food are intended for dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds, and energy levels. 25% protein, 15% fat, and a nice level of Omega 3 fatty acids make for a well-rounded meal. It’s also fairly good in terms of calories, with 360 per cup. This is especially great if your pooch needs a more calorie controlled diet to avoid getting heavier once on meds for seizures.
Great All-Round Dog Food
This food is really great if you have several dogs at home and they’re pretty diverse in terms of ages, sizes, or breeds. You can feed them the same dog food without worrying if they’re getting all the essential nourishment they need. An average amount of protein, higher fat level, and great quality ingredient list make it perfect for almost every dog out there.
9. Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
Best For Muscle and Brain Development
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PROS
- Contains superfood carb ingredients for added vitamins
- Lower in protein and fat for less active seniors
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
- Contains DHA to keep aging brains healthy
CONS
- Contains grains (which may be a problem for some, but not all)
The Nutro Ultra Senior Dog Food is a highly recommended food for your senior pooch as it has everything an aging dog would need. It has an Omega fatty acid level that’s higher than usual, making it great for keeping your pooch’s brain healthy as he grows old.
Super For Seniors
The protein level (26%) in this dog food is still great for keeping muscles tough. The fat content (11%) has been reduced slightly to cater for older pups who are becoming less active and don’t need that quick and easy energy supply. It does have a good amount of glucosamine and chondroitin to keep aging joints strong, and DHA to keep the brain sharp and smart.
10. Stella & Chewy’s Surf ‘n Turf Dinner Patties
Best Organic Dog Food
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PROS
- High protein and fat content
- Contain muscle and organ meat, as well as bone and cartilage
- Organic fruits and vegetables
- Can rehydrate with water to add extra hydration
CONS
- No mention of Omega fatty acids on label
- Somewhat pricey
There’s only good stuff in these dinner patties. It’s an all-natural, organic, and wholesome diet formulated to fulfill your pup’s every nutritional need.
These raw patties are loaded with premium animal protein (everything from muscle meat to organ meat to bone) and organic fruits and vegetables.
Raw Feeding
This food is raw and has been minimally processed which keeps the taste and nutritional value consistent even after cooking. Dogs with seizures have been known to thrive on a raw diet, and looking at the stack of good stuff your pooch would be getting in each bite of this, it’s absolutely worth a try.
How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Seizures
1) Ingredient Quality
When dealing with pups with any kind of health issue, the quality of the ingredients in the food they’re eating is crucial. It can make a big difference in keeping their immune systems strong and reducing the risk of conditions flaring up, and in the case of seizures, it can reduce the frequency of them happening.
From protein sources, carbohydrates, and fats, to vitamins and minerals, we have made sure the foods we’ve reviewed are complete and balanced, contain only good stuff, nothing artificial, and nothing that could be a cause for concern.
2) Omega Fatty Acids
Seizures in dogs, whatever their root cause, are basically due to abnormal firing of neurons in the brain. The brain is a fatty organ, so the presence of Omega fatty acids in a dog food is very helpful in maintaining the integrity of the brain tissue and keeping it healthy.
While Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids are essential and we’ve looked for a good number on each label, the presence of DHA and EPA are also super helpful. DHA, in particular, is a fatty acid that targets brain tissue specifically, and can be a huge help in keeping the organ working as it should.
We’ve given this rating based on the general Omega fatty acid level, and upped it a little if it includes DHA.
3) Animal Protein
You may think protein is protein, but not all proteins are the same. Plant proteins can be found in many dog foods, and while they do provide good nutrients, there are some things lacking that can really only be found in animal protein.
In particular, animal proteins are a source of amino acids and Omega fatty acids that are essential for brain function.
While there is nothing wrong with seeing a plant protein on the list as an added ingredient, a whole animal protein should be first on the list, and we’ve made sure each of these foods are rich in protein and contain a high-quality animal protein first up.
4) Added Vitamins
Supplementing with vitamins and minerals can help quite a bit with seizures, but it’s also essential to have a good dose of them in the actual kibble your dog is eating.
The best dog food for seizures should contain Vitamin A, B, C, D, and E.. Vitamin C helps decrease inflammation and keep the immune system strong, and also has plenty of antioxidant properties. It has been reported to help with epilepsy in human patients, and although this hasn’t been tested to the same degree in dogs we can safely say that it’s a great addition, especially due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
5) Affordability
If the price of some quality dog foods is enough to give YOU seizures, don’t worry. The foods here vary in price, with some of them being near the top of the range but with the quality to back that price.
We’ve also made sure to include more affordable options though, and that doesn’t mean they’re any lower in quality than the others. We’ve reviewed some foods that have an amazing price tag and are fantastic quality, proving that you don’t need to buy a top of the price range dog food in order to get your pup all the nutrients they need.
We’ve mentioned where foods may be slightly on the pricey side for some buyers, and we’ve included a Best Value For Money Option, which has all of the quality with a very decent price tag. Whatever your budget, there’s something for you and your pooch on this list.
What to Do When Your Dog Is Having a Seizure
Seizures can be a shocking and horrible experience for the human involved as well as the pooch. Most seizures last one to three minutes, so if your furry friend is having one, here’s what you can do to help.
1) Stay calm. Seizures in dogs, although scary, don’t actually cause pain, so you don’t have to worry about your fluff being sore. It’s essential to keep calm because your pup will be looking to you for reassurance in this moment – even if you can’t tell that they know you’re there. Talk to your pooch calmly and lightly, so they know their trusty human is right by their side.
2) Clear the area. You DO NOT need to hold your dog down or put something in his mouth – in fact, this can cause him injury, and he could also accidentally bite you. Simply clear the area of any objects that may be in the way or that your dog could bump or hurt himself on. If he is in an awkward area, like on steps or in the pool, get him to a safe spot.
3) Keep your pup cool. Overheating can not only be an actual cause of seizures in dogs, but it can really aggravate the whole process. Because your pooch is in distress and can’t pant during a seizure, the risk of overheating is greater. Try and provide some shade and if necessary, a spray bottle with water is a great aid to keeping your pet cool but not soaking wet.
4) Remain with your pup after the seizure. There is a phase of a few minutes once a seizure is over where your pooch may be groggy and seem as though he is just waking up. Your fluff will need your comfort now as much as he did when the seizure began.
5) Take your pet to the vet. Do not neglect this step! It can be tempting to just leave it once your pooch is back on his feet, but if you aren’t sure of the cause of the seizure, you NEED to get some tests done to prevent it happening again.
Questions & Answers
What can cause seizures in dogs?
Seizures themselves are more a symptom than an actual condition. There are a number of reasons behind seizures in dogs – some acute, some chronic health conditions, and some neurological conditions. Some dog breeds are more predisposed to seizures such as American Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Chihuahuas, etc.
If your fluff has a sudden seizure with no diagnosed neurological conditions, some of the reasons behind it could be head trauma, exposure to toxins or hallucinogens, a sudden drastic change in body temperature, hypo- or hyperglycemia, brain abnormalities or disorders of various other organs. A visit to the vet is a necessity, and tests will be done to see if any of the above are the problem.
How can changing my dog’s food improve their seizures?
It may seem like what your pup is eating has little to do with any health conditions that may cause them to be having seizures, but remember – this is the stuff that’s going into your dog’s body every single day. It’s essential that it’s packed with nutritious, healthy things that will improve your dog’s immune system.
You cannot treat dogs with seizures with diet. But while changing your pet’s food won’t stop seizures entirely, it can have a positive effect. Removing grains has been shown to help, as grains are can aggravate the auto-immune response, cause allergies, and is also known to contain a substance that affects the body’s ability to absorb minerals, increasing the risk of certain deficiencies.
What are the signs of an impending seizure?
The moments before seizures in dogs actually start physically manifesting can show some strange behaviours in your pup, as they can feel it coming on. Some things that can happen in this phase is excessive, uncontrolled drooling, nervousness, clinginess, or skittishness, disorientation, or a vacant, dazed stare.
If you notice these things happening, a seizure may be about to start. You can remove any objects in the way and prepare to be there for your pup as they deal with the seizure. You will become better at noticing these signs as time goes.
