Is your dog suffering from epilepsy? As a veterinarian, I often encounter this neurological disorder in my practice. Epilepsy in dogs is characterized by seizures stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Can dog food be a cause of seizures? There is evidence suggesting that certain dog foods might contribute to the onset of seizures and epilepsy.
The key steps in managing epilepsy in dogs involve reducing environmental triggers and feeding a proper diet. Let’s discuss these aspects in detail.
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What Can Trigger A Seizure In Dogs? It’s important to pay attention to environmental factors that trigger your dog’s seizures. By identifying these triggers, you can reduce their exposure. Triggers may include household products, foods, medications, and stress. Even the full moon can be a factor.
To minimize exposure to these triggers, avoid using chemical products in your home and yard. Opt for natural cleaning products, avoid scented candles and artificial perfumes, and refrain from smoking around your dog. Be cautious with loud music or flashing/bright lights and ensure there are no toxic plants or flowers in your surroundings. Avoid chemical pesticides and herbicides in your yard and caution against pharmaceutical flea, tick, or heartworm preventives, as they can affect your dog’s nervous system.
Foods To Help Dog Seizures: Correct nutrition is crucial in managing idiopathic epilepsy in dogs. If your dog has idiopathic epilepsy, it’s essential to feed them an all-natural, fresh raw diet, using free-range, organic ingredients whenever possible. Your dog’s diet should consist of raw muscle and organ meats, edible bones, eggs, seasonal fresh green vegetables, small amounts of fruits like berries and apples, and healthy seeds, oils, and herbs.
So, food can help with epilepsy. But can dog food cause seizures?
Harmful Ingredients: It’s not just that a fresh, whole food raw diet is better for your dog’s overall health. There’s a substance in many foods that can aggravate your dog’s tendency to have seizures: glutamate. This amino acid is found in many foods and is a neurotransmitter naturally produced in the body. While glutamate is important for brain development and memory, high levels are associated with diseases like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s. Recent studies indicate that seizures draw glutamate out of brain tissue cells, damaging them. This means reducing and avoiding foods rich in glutamate may improve seizures and reduce their frequency, especially in idiopathic epilepsy.
What Foods Can Cause Seizures In Dogs? Foods containing a lot of glutamate should be avoided to help manage your dog’s seizures. These include grains like wheat, barley, and oats, which have the highest glutamate content. Corn and rice have lower glutamate content but should be kept to a minimum. Grains are common in commercial dry foods and treats and are sometimes listed as cereals. Dairy products from cow’s milk, such as casein, are also high in glutamate, with common dairy products for dogs including cheese chews and treats. Many people give dairy products like kefir and yogurt to dogs for their probiotic benefits.
When it comes to feeding your dog, certain foods can have a significant impact on their health, especially if they suffer from seizures. It’s crucial to avoid certain types of legumes and opt for healthier alternatives.
Legumes such as soy, pinto beans, black beans, and lentils are high in glutamate, which can be harmful to dogs with seizures. Soy is a common filler in many commercial dry foods and treats, so it’s important to check the ingredients. Peanuts, although often considered a nut, are actually a legume and are also rich in glutamate, so they should be avoided. When selecting meats and organs for your dog, always choose grass-fed sources. Rabbit, turkey, and oily fish contain high levels of glutamate amino acid content, while lamb has the lowest glutamate content and is the best choice for epileptic dogs. Avoid foods with chemical preservatives, taste enhancers, palatability factors, chemical antioxidants, and colorants. Opt for all-natural and fresh foods instead. Even some pre-made raw diets contain synthetic vitamins and minerals, so look for additive-free options. The best foods for dogs with seizures include those rich in DHA, which is an anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acid important for brain development and found in eggs and certain algae. Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, protects neurons from oxidative stress and is found in fresh dark green leafy vegetables and certain seeds. Vitamin B Complex, consisting of B1, B2, B3, B6, biotin, folic acid, and B12, may help decrease seizures and is found in eggs, fresh dark green leafy vegetables, and nutritional yeast. Vitamin C supports the immune system and acts as a natural antioxidant, potentially reducing brain tissue damage caused by seizures. Fresh kale, peppers, cauliflower, berries, and rosehips are great sources of vitamin C. CBD oil has been shown to reduce the number and severity of seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. It can prevent brain injuries during seizures and aid in brain tissue recovery. Choose CBD oil made from organic industrial hemp with a maximum THC of 0.3%, extracted at low temperatures, and free from solvents. Always trust brands that provide a certificate of quality and laboratory analysis. Follow the manufacturer’s feeding guidance and introduce CBD oil gradually to your dog’s diet. Herbs like chamomile, skullcap, valerian, and milk thistle can reduce anxiety, relieve stress associated with seizures, and support liver health, especially if your dog is on conventional anti-seizure drugs. Herbs can be given as a herbal tea, sprinkled dry over food, or as a tincture. When brewing a tea, use 1 teaspoon per 1 liter of boiling water. Start with 60ml of the ready tea per 20lb body weight and gradually increase the amount. If using dry herbs as sprinkles, start with a small pinch per 20lb body weight.When it comes to managing your dog’s seizures, consider the nutritional approach. Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when using tinctures, or consult with an herbalist or holistic vet for guidance.
Gelatin is a brain-protective food, rich in glycine, an amino acid that is believed to protect brain tissue from damage associated with seizures. It is essential to choose unflavored, unsweetened gelatin derived from grass-fed animals. You can feed it to your dog as sprinkles over their food or use the gelatin dog treat recipe provided below. Dosing for gelatin as sprinkles is as follows: 1 ½ tsp for dogs weighing 10 – 20 lbs, 3 tsp for 25 – 50 lbs, 6 tsp for 50 – 75 lbs, and 3 tablespoons for dogs weighing 75 – 100 lbs or more. Here is a bonus gelatin dog treat recipe to provide your dog with a healthy treat: Ingredients: – ½ cup unflavored, unsweetened gelatin from grass-fed animals – ½ cup of cold liquid (water, herbal tea, or bone broth) – 1-½ cups of boiling liquid (water, herbal tea, or bone broth) – ½ cup of low-glutamate fruit or vegetable of your dog’s choice Directions: 1. Put ½ cup of gelatin in a 1-quart bowl. 2. Add ½ cup of the cold liquid and let it stand for a few minutes to soften. 3. Pour 1-½ cups of boiling liquid over the softened gelatin and stir until it completely dissolves (time may vary with different brands). 4. Put the fruit or vegetable on the bottom of a pan or a mold. 5. Pour over the gelatin mixture and let it set. 6. Serve and enjoy giving your dog this healthy treat! Instead of relying on risky and possibly ineffective drugs to control your dog’s seizures, consider choosing the right food and managing environmental triggers as a safer and more natural approach.
