Keep the dog safe on the floor; move furniture/sharp objects away
Turn the dog on its side if possible
Clear the area around the dog to prevent injury
Do not restrain the dog during the seizure
Do not put anything in the dog’s mouth
Do not try to give water or pills during or right after the seizure
Time the seizure with a stopwatch
If the seizure is actively happening, focus on preventing injury and keeping the airway clear
If you have a prescribed emergency seizure medication (e.g., rectal diazepam or intranasal midazolam), use it exactly as directed by your veterinarian
If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, or seizures occur back-to-back without full recovery, go to an emergency vet immediately
After the seizure, keep the dog warm, quiet, and under observation
Contact an emergency veterinarian as soon as possible, especially if this is the first seizure or the dog is not recovering normally
Bring note of seizure start time, duration, and what the dog was doing beforehand
If available, bring any current medications and the dog’s medical records to the vet