As you can expect, these underlying problems can be dangerous, but they may be treatable if you act on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One way to do that is to use the Maven Pet smart collar, which can continually monitor your pooch\u2019s health and even detect patterns that might be related to seizures or underlying issues early on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Common Causes of Seizures in Older Dogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/dog_seizures_in_older_dogs_common_causes.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFive causes are considered to be the most prevalent, so let\u2019s break them down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Epilepsy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Epilepsy<\/a> is the most common cause of seizures in older dogs as well as young, albeit it\u2019s primarily diagnosed in young pups. However, older dogs can still develop it and start having seizures as a result, especially by the age of six. Regardless of age, epilepsy is still a condition with unknown underlying causes. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSymptoms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Stiff legs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Blank stares<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Licking of lips<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Uncontrolled movement, typically leg paddling<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Jaw chattering<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Brain Tumors or Lesions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Brain tumors<\/a> and lesions are more common in certain dog breeds as well as in older dogs in general. The breeds that get them more than others are Great Danes, collies, greyhounds, boxers, dachshunds, Boston terriers, and bulldogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCommon symptoms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Behavioral abnormalities, changes in appetite and thirst, and constant circling or pacing with forebrain tumors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Head tilt, ataxia, circling to the side of the head tilt, flickering of the eyes, and leaning or falling on the side of the head tilt with brainstem tumors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Head tremors, trunk swaying, wide-based stance, and an uncoordinated gait with cerebellum tumors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>\n
\u201cI got the Maven sensor for my 14-year-old Chihuahua mix with heart and trachea issues. It gave me back peace of mind <\/strong>– I can track her RRR, BPM, drinking, and activity anytime and know instantly if something\u2019s wrong. Highly recommend!\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Chiara-De-Luca-Titti.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chiara De Luca
Titti<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nTrack your dog’s health!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nMetabolic Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Various metabolic disorders can lead to seizures in older dogs, including liver disease and liver shunts, low blood calcium levels, electrolyte imbalance, and kidney disease. There\u2019s no significant influence on the brain, and the seizures caused by these disorders go away once the underlying cause goes away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Common symptoms<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Increased thirst<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Increased appetite<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Higher urination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/dog_seizures_in_older_dogs_common_causes_.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLow Blood Sugar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia<\/a>, is common in diabetic dogs and those with underlying issues. It occurs when the dog has a low level of glucose circulating through the bloodstream. Hypoglycemia can be very dangerous for dogs, so it needs to be treated quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCommon symptoms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Lack of energy and lethargy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Loss of appetite<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tremors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fainting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Vomiting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Disorientation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Coma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Toxins and Medications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Accidental exposure to toxins and medications the dog shouldn\u2019t take can cause seizures, especially in older dogs. If your dog has accidentally swollen something like that or has been poisoned<\/a>, you should act quickly to solve the issue yourself or with the help of a vet. Symptoms can vary, but you should act even before they are shown. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCommon symptoms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Vomiting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Diarrhea<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dehydration<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hyperactivity<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- High temperature<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Abnormal heart rhythm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bleeding from the gut with more serious poisons<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Kidney failure with more serious poisons<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What to Do When Your Older Dog Has a Seizure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/dog_seizures_in_older_dogs_what_to_do.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNow that you\u2019ve seen what causes seizures in old dogs, you should learn what to do if your dog starts having one for the first time. Even though it\u2019s unsettling, don\u2019t get scared, stay calm, and start acting accordingly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
First you should be mindful of your surroundings, making sure your pet is not near something that can become harmful (e.g. furniture). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then you can focus on determining whether your pup is actually having a seizure. Some odd behaviors, like twitching, can be confused with seizures.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before a seizure starts, the pet will likely sense that something is not right, so it\u2019ll likely be anxious and seek attention or try to hide. Once the seizure starts, you\u2019ll see one or more of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Generalized or focalized involuntary body tremors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Paddling<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Teeth chomping<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Unconsciousness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Urination or defecation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Once the seizure passes, the last stage<\/a> kicks in, and the pooch will likely be disoriented, confused, and anxious. You might see it pace aimlessly or stumble. The pup might lose sight temporarily or become louder.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSo, if your dog is having a seizure, you should do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Ensure the dog can\u2019t harm itself by placing it on the floor and surrounding it with pillows if it\u2019s on the couch or somewhere from where it can fall. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Give your pet some space, as this will minimize the time of the seizure. As with people, you\u2019re not supposed to touch the dog if you can avoid it. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Monitor the dog and the seizure length, but avoid putting your hand too close to its mouth, because your dog might accidentally bite you. During a seizure, the dog is not aware of what\u2019s happening. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Once the seizure passes, give your pooch some water and comfort them until they get back to normal. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Once everything is back to normal, it is best to visit your vet immediately, especially if this hasn\u2019t happened before. The vet can then determine the underlying cause and start treatment if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Monitoring Dog Seizures in Older Dogs With Maven Pet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re worried about not catching the early signs, or you simply want to follow your dog\u2019s health, you can do that with a pet smart collar<\/a>. The Maven Pet Health Monitor can track health indicators like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Lethargy or restlessness, both of which can be early signs of a seizure<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Frequency of seizures and their severity by logging symptoms regularly<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sleep disruptions and other sleep patterns that might occur after a seizure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/prod-dog.jpg\")
<\/span>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/dog-scr.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nMonitor heart rate, respiratory rate, activity & rest, drinking, itch behavior.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nTrack your dog’s health<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe primary feature you\u2019ll find useful for pet wellness<\/a> is the Health Symptoms Journal. Using the app that goes together with the collar, you can document seizure events and your dog\u2019s recovery process in great detail. This will help you follow your pooch\u2019s health, but it might also be helpful info for your vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nMonitor your Dog’s Health in Real Time with Maven!<\/strong><\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/dog_seizures_in_older_dogs_conclusion.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAs you can see, dog seizures in older dogs are not uncommon, nor are they something you can ignore or let pass. Understanding what causes them and how to act during a seizure is crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though you can\u2019t prevent them, it\u2019s still good to monitor your dog\u2019s health 24\/7 with the help of the Maven Pet collar. More than that, it allows you to document seizures so you can stay on top of your pooch\u2019s health. And yes, you can spot other possible issues since the collar has a range of capabilities that will help with other health problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re interested, consider subscribing to our service<\/a> so you can receive your device as soon as possible and start taking proactive action regarding your dog\u2019s health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFive causes are considered to be the most prevalent, so let\u2019s break them down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Epilepsy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Epilepsy<\/a> is the most common cause of seizures in older dogs as well as young, albeit it\u2019s primarily diagnosed in young pups. However, older dogs can still develop it and start having seizures as a result, especially by the age of six. Regardless of age, epilepsy is still a condition with unknown underlying causes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brain tumors<\/a> and lesions are more common in certain dog breeds as well as in older dogs in general. The breeds that get them more than others are Great Danes, collies, greyhounds, boxers, dachshunds, Boston terriers, and bulldogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Common symptoms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI got the Maven sensor for my 14-year-old Chihuahua mix with heart and trachea issues. It gave me back peace of mind <\/strong>– I can track her RRR, BPM, drinking, and activity anytime and know instantly if something\u2019s wrong. Highly recommend!\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chiara De Luca <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Various metabolic disorders can lead to seizures in older dogs, including liver disease and liver shunts, low blood calcium levels, electrolyte imbalance, and kidney disease. There\u2019s no significant influence on the brain, and the seizures caused by these disorders go away once the underlying cause goes away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Common symptoms<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia<\/a>, is common in diabetic dogs and those with underlying issues. It occurs when the dog has a low level of glucose circulating through the bloodstream. Hypoglycemia can be very dangerous for dogs, so it needs to be treated quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Common symptoms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accidental exposure to toxins and medications the dog shouldn\u2019t take can cause seizures, especially in older dogs. If your dog has accidentally swollen something like that or has been poisoned<\/a>, you should act quickly to solve the issue yourself or with the help of a vet. Symptoms can vary, but you should act even before they are shown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Common symptoms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you\u2019ve seen what causes seizures in old dogs, you should learn what to do if your dog starts having one for the first time. Even though it\u2019s unsettling, don\u2019t get scared, stay calm, and start acting accordingly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First you should be mindful of your surroundings, making sure your pet is not near something that can become harmful (e.g. furniture). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then you can focus on determining whether your pup is actually having a seizure. Some odd behaviors, like twitching, can be confused with seizures.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before a seizure starts, the pet will likely sense that something is not right, so it\u2019ll likely be anxious and seek attention or try to hide. Once the seizure starts, you\u2019ll see one or more of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the seizure passes, the last stage<\/a> kicks in, and the pooch will likely be disoriented, confused, and anxious. You might see it pace aimlessly or stumble. The pup might lose sight temporarily or become louder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if your dog is having a seizure, you should do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once everything is back to normal, it is best to visit your vet immediately, especially if this hasn\u2019t happened before. The vet can then determine the underlying cause and start treatment if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re worried about not catching the early signs, or you simply want to follow your dog\u2019s health, you can do that with a pet smart collar<\/a>. The Maven Pet Health Monitor can track health indicators like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, activity & rest, drinking, itch behavior.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n The primary feature you\u2019ll find useful for pet wellness<\/a> is the Health Symptoms Journal. Using the app that goes together with the collar, you can document seizure events and your dog\u2019s recovery process in great detail. This will help you follow your pooch\u2019s health, but it might also be helpful info for your vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can see, dog seizures in older dogs are not uncommon, nor are they something you can ignore or let pass. Understanding what causes them and how to act during a seizure is crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though you can\u2019t prevent them, it\u2019s still good to monitor your dog\u2019s health 24\/7 with the help of the Maven Pet collar. More than that, it allows you to document seizures so you can stay on top of your pooch\u2019s health. And yes, you can spot other possible issues since the collar has a range of capabilities that will help with other health problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re interested, consider subscribing to our service<\/a> so you can receive your device as soon as possible and start taking proactive action regarding your dog\u2019s health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Brain Tumors or Lesions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Titti<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMetabolic Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLow Blood Sugar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Toxins and Medications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
What to Do When Your Older Dog Has a Seizure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
Monitoring Dog Seizures in Older Dogs With Maven Pet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n