Dog seizures are frightening for both you, the owner, and the dog who is having the seizure. This is particularly true if you see your dog having a seizure, which is among the scariest experiences a pet owner can have. Much of this fear comes from the unknown.
Your thoughts may include the following: What is causing my dog to have this seizure?, Will my dog be okay?, Why is my dog having a seizure?, and so forth.
Dog seizures are caused by many differing reasons. Dog seizures are most frequently brought on by inherited seizure disorders like idiopathic epilepsy, for which there is typically no known cause. Repeated episodes of seizures are the hallmark of canine epileptic seizures. The type of epileptic seizures determines how severe the epilepsy is. Dogs who have multiple seizures within a 24-hour period are said to have cluster seizures, which can be very dangerous. The health of your dog, such as poison ingestion, liver disease, low or high blood sugar, kidney disease, electrolyte imbalances, anemia, head injuries, encephalitis, strokes, and brain cancer, are additional common causes of seizures in dogs.
When the dog’s brain experiences a change in activity, seizures frequently result. Stress and other external stimuli, as well as items found around the house, food, and medications, can all cause this.
While seizures seem to occur spontaneously, many factors have been identified as potential dog seizure triggers, so one question that is typically on all pet owners’ minds is: What causes seizures in dogs? Affected dogs can appear to be completely normal between seizures.
However, the solution is never straightforward (as with the majority of canine medical conditions), and there are many factors that could potentially cause a seizure, including the environment, objects in the home, foods, medications, and, of course, stress.
What Foods Can Cause Seizures In Dogs?
The following foods contain a lot of glutamate.
Wheat, barley and oats have the highest glutamate content. Although corn and rice have a lower glutamate content, they should be consumed in moderation. Commercial dry foods and treats frequently contain grains, which are occasionally listed as cereals.
Casein, a protein found in cow’s milk, contains 20% glutamate by weight. Common dairy products for dogs are cheese chews and treats. Dairy products like kefir and yogurt are frequently given to dogs for their probiotic properties. But if your dog has seizures, do not give him these.
Soy, pinto beans, black beans, lentils. These legumes contain high amounts of glutamate. Many commercial dry foods and treats contain soy as a filler.
Peanuts are very rich in glutamate. Many people stuff Kongs, give their dogs peanut butter treats, etc. Peanuts are a legume, not a nut, so you shouldn’t give them to your dog.
Meats And Organs From Grain Fed Animals
Always choose grass fed meat sources.
These meats have high glutamate amino acid content. Lamb is the ideal meat for your epileptic dog. It has the lowest glutamate content.
Preservatives, taste enhancers, palatability factors, chemical antioxidants and colorants. Try to choose all natural and fresh foods. Even some prepared raw diets contain artificial vitamins and minerals; seek out foods devoid of additives instead.
Other Causes for Seizures in Dogs
Make sure there arent any other environmental toxins in your control that could be contributing to your dogs seizures. Pests like killer bees and even some house plants such as sago palms are known to cause seizures.
Dogs can become ill when they ingest certain household items like pesticides or cleaning products, smoke, alcohol, or even human delicacies like salt, coffee, or dark chocolate. Be sure to keep them hidden and out of sight of prying eyes!
FAQ
Can a dogs food cause seizures?
To maintain our happiness and health, we all require a consistent intake of nutrients, but just like us, our pets can experience negative effects from receiving too many extra nutrients. Higher nutrient or mineral intake levels run the risk of having negative effects on the body, including seizures.
What foods make dogs seizure?
Food that causes seizures. Caffeine, dark chocolate, mushrooms, theobromine, ethanol, and xylitol, among other substances, can cause seizures in dogs, claims the ASPCA. Theobromine is what makes chocolate toxic to dogs.
What foods can trigger seizures?
Tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, sweets, soft drinks, too much salt, spices, and animal proteins all have the potential to cause seizures by abruptly altering the body’s metabolism. According to some parents, allergic reactions to specific foods (e.g. g. white flour) also seem to trigger seizures in their children.
What can suddenly cause seizures in dogs?
Hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hyperthermia, hypothyroidism, liver disease, and ingested toxins like caffeine and chocolate are the most prevalent extracranial causes. Diseases that result in structural or functional changes inside the dog’s brain are referred to as intracranial causes of seizures.