Best Dog Food for Seizures

1 in 20 dogs will experience seizures in their lifetime. While this doesn’t mean that these seizures will last a lifetime, that’s the case for some. If your dog has epilepsy or a neurological disorder that causes seizures, it’s essential to choose the best dog food. 

Our favorite vet-recommended option is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PR dry dog food. 

It’s lower in protein and high in healthy fats with DHA for cognitive function and brain and nervous system health. 

But we have options for the best dog foods for seizures, including prescription diets and those you can buy without a vet’s recommendation. 

Our Best Dog Food for Seizures

• Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PR Dry Dog Food 
• Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food 
• Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food 
• Visionary Pet Foods Keto Low Carb Beef Recipe Dry Dog Food
• Stewart Raw Naturals Lamb Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food
• Instinct Frozen Raw Patties Grain-Free Real Beef Recipe Dog Food
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Glycobalance Dry Dog Food
• Primal Turkey & Sardine Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food
• Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Neurocare Dry Dog Food
• Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care with Chicken Dry Dog Food

10 Best Dog Food for Seizures Reviewed 

Each of the formulas below follows AAFCO’s nutrient profile guidelines. But, some of these foods need a vet’s approval before you can buy them. Before switching your dog to any new food, consult with your vet.

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Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PR Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Potato, Rabbit Meal, Coconut Oil, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Potato Protein
• Guaranteed Analysis: 19% Crude Protein, 10% Crude Fat, 3.4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 289 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Hydrolyzed soy protein isolate dry dog food for better digestibility for dogs with seizures 

This palatable and digestible dog food starts with a novel protein — rabbit. This makes the formula easy to eat for dogs with food sensitivities.

Fish oil and coconut oil provide a healthy dose of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Fish oil contains EPA and DHA to promote healthy skin and coat health. They also aid in better brain functions. 

Coconut oil provides medium-chain triglycerides. This reinforces your dog’s skin barrier and prevents skin irritation. They’re also easily absorbed directly through your pup’s intestines. 

Hydrolyzed soy protein isolate boosts the protein content without causing tummy troubles. It has high effectiveness as a hair conditioning agent – restoring the suppleness of your dog’s coat. And, it’s a natural flavor enhancer, making the food tasty for even the fussiest pups. 

Pup parents say this food has cleared up skin and GI issues related to their dog’s medications. They recommend talking to your vet if your canine doesn’t handle regular commercial food.

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Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Whole Grain Wheat, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: 16.5% Crude Protein, 9.5% Crude Fat, 20% Crude Fiber 
• Caloric Content: 255 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Low-protein and high-fiber dry dog food 

Does your pup need more fiber and fewer calories or protein? This can often be the case for epileptic dogs on medication.

Some medicines, like phenobarbital, can cause your dog to be lethargic, thus making them less active. And if you’re not careful, they can gain weight. 

If that’s the case for your furry friend, try Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit dry dog food.

Another benefit to this formula is that it helps your dog maintain normal blood glucose levels. This keeps their body from working overtime, which can help reduce triggering seizures.

High-quality chicken meal and chicken fat are the main protein and fat sources. They provide high levels of L-carnitine to increase energy metabolism and burn fat. Plus, chicken meal helps your dog maintain their lean muscle mass. 

Whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, cracked pearled barley, and whole-grain oats contain higher fiber levels. These provide a feeling of fullness and can help stabilize blood glucose levels. 

Dog parents love this food. They recommend it to anyone with older dogs or pups who struggle with maintaining a healthy weight while dealing with seizures.

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Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Poultry By-Product Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: 29% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 423 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Easy to eat kibble high in glucosamine and L-Arginine for better insulin control and circulation 

The smaller kibble size aids in easier chewing since it can be difficult for older dogs to eat dry and hard pieces that are large.

It starts with deboned chicken and fish meal. These provide glucosamine and chondroitin for mobility and strong cartilage.

Chicken includes a source of taurine, which aids in heart health. And fish meal has l-arginine to improve insulin levels and improve blood circulation. 

Rice, whole grain corn, and whole-grain wheat boost fiber content. They’re also easy to digest for dogs with GI tract issues, shared with epileptic pups.

And they also have manganese, folate, and selenium. These aid in healthy cell growth, immune system support, and cognitive function. 

Fish oil and vegetable oil provide essential fatty acids and medium-chain triglycerides. These help fight inflammation and give your dog healthy skin. 

Dog owners love this food for their large breeds, but many small breed parents enjoy the kibble. They appreciate how it brings back their dog’s high energy levels. 

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Visionary Pet Foods Keto Low Carb Beef Recipe Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Pork Fat, Pork Meal, Beef Meal, Dried Whole Egg
• Guaranteed Analysis: 43% Crude Protein, 33% Crude Fat, 7% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 658 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: High-protein and high-calorie dry dog food with fewer carbs to reduce seizure activity

Visionary Pet Foods Keto Low Carb formula is a high-protein and calorie-dense food.

This low-carb formula only contains 1g net carbohydrate per serving. And, you can serve it as is or add in some water and brother for dogs with chewing issues. 

Real beef, pork, and beef meals are rich in taurine for a healthy and robust heart — perfect for dogs getting back to extensive activity.

Pork fat, menhaden fish oil, and turkey fat contain omega fatty acids, DHA, and vitamin D for brain and bone health. 

This recipe doesn’t have fruit, added sugars, corn, tapioca, potatoes, sweet potatoes, soy, carrots, and peas.

It’s also free of grains, gluten, antibiotics, and added hormones. Because it’s lower in carbs, it can help reduce epileptic seizures and keep your dog slim. 

Active dog owners say their pups gobble this food up. And, they love that it’s free of unnecessary fillers and ingredients. 

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Stewart Raw Naturals Lamb Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Heart, Lamb Liver, Ground Lamb Bone, Broccoli
• Guaranteed Analysis: 45% Crude Protein, 31% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 5% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 376 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: High-protein dry dog food with salmon oil and ginger to fight inflammation 

Stewart Raw Naturals Grain-Free Freeze-Dried dog food starts with real lamb, lamb heart, and lamb liver. These novel proteins provide digestive enzymes and amino acids. They aid in lean muscles, flexible joints, and better gut health.

While some dogs with seizures shouldn’t overeat meat liver, this food has it a bit lower on the list. But if you notice any negative changes in your dog, stop feeding them this food immediately. 

Flaxseed meal and salmon oil provide natural omega fatty acids to help promote vitality, healthy and itch-free skin, and a shiny coat. And salmon oil contains ARA and DHA for better cognitive health, needed when your dog has seizures. 

Last but not least, ginger provides a side-effect-free anti-inflammatory. And it could be a missing component in epilepsy therapy and medications. In other words, it raises the threshold of brain activity, which can help your dog avoid seizures.

This grain-free formula contains raw meat ingredients. But, the freeze-drying process retains their nutrition and dries them out to avoid harmful bacteria.

Pup parents admit that dogs that already suffer from constipation may have a hard time with this food because of the lack of grains and fiber. But, many with sensitive dogs say they’ve noticed a reduction in gas and digestive issues. 

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Instinct Frozen Raw Patties Grain-Free Real Beef Recipe Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Beef Spleen, Carrots
• Guaranteed Analysis: (wet matter basis) 12% Crude Protein, 8% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 70% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 174 kcal/patty
• Key Feature: High-protein raw dog food with non-GMO ingredients for picky dogs 

These delectable 4-ounce patties are protein-packed. They contain 85% animal proteins and 15% non-GMO fruits and vegetables.

They start with real beef and beef organs. These provide iron and vitamin D for strong bones and energy. And they have omega-6 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract and muscles.

Salmon oil, spinach, and blueberries offer vitamins and nutrients that aid in immune support. And salmon oil has essential nutrients for better cognitive function. 

This recipe doesn’t contain grain, corn, wheat, or soy fillers. It’s also free of artificial colors or preservatives. The patties come frozen — never cooked.

And they’re put through cold-pressure processing to keep nutrients without the risk of making your dog sick.

Like the Stewart Raw food, talk to your dog’s vet about their liver consumption if you plan to switch to a raw diet. 

Canine owners say these patties are perfect for small dogs as their primary food source. But, many recommend mixing the patty with dry kibble to stretch further if you have a large dog.

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Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Glycobalance Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Barley, Corn Gluten Meal, Powdered Cellulose, Wheat Gluten
• Guaranteed Analysis: 35% Crude Protein, 10% Crude Fat, 14% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 307 kcal/cup 
• Key Feature: High-protein and moderate-fat dog food for dogs who need to keep lean muscle mass  

This veterinary-exclusive formula has moderate fat content to help maintain a healthy body weight in dogs. But it’s also high in protein content to help them maintain muscle mass and has a reduced level of starch.

While it does contain chicken by-product meal, this is nothing to worry about. The chicken is USDA certified and doesn’t contain any hormones.

And, the by-product is a mixture of the chicken meal with a bit of bone, like chicken feet. These can benefit your dog since they help with collagen production and muscle recovery.

Fish oil and chicken fat offer essential fatty acids for limber joints, brain health, and eye health. And this recipe is also rich in antioxidants for vitality, thanks to the addition of rosemary extract and dried plain beet pulp.

Dog parents say this is the perfect food for larger breeds and “semi-retired” working dogs who need to increase their energy levels. 

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Primal Turkey & Sardine Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Livers, Whole Sardines, Organic Squash, Organic Kale
• Guaranteed Analysis: 51% Crude Protein, 23% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 7% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 120 kcal/oz 
• Key Feature: High-protein raw dog food with novel proteins and coconut oil 

This formula starts with antibiotic and hormone-free turkey meat, organs, and whole sardines, providing added protein and calcium supplementation.

Like the other raw diets, you may want to avoid this if your dog has issues processing liver. 

Certified organic produce like blueberries, cranberries, and kale add a boost of vitamins and minerals. These include essential nutrients like vitamin C for immune support and copper, which can help maintain healthy bones and nerves. 

Your dog will get plenty of omega fatty acids from the animal proteins, but the food also has organic coconut oil. This oil contains medium-chain triglycerides and DHA for brain health and skin health.

Pet owners admit that the food stinks because of the sardines. So if you have a sensitive nose, avoid this formula. But, they love how the food doesn’t cause any allergic reactions and appreciate the quality of the ingredients. 

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Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Neurocare Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Brewers Rice, Ground Yellow Corn
• Guaranteed Analysis: 29% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 3% Fiber, 12% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 405 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: High-protein dog food with medium-chain triglyceride oil for brain health

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Neurocare is designed to support cognitive health . This diet contains medium-chain triglyceride oil. This is a unique “brain food ingredient” for your dog.

Along with vitamins to support the immune system and high protein to support a healthy weight, it’s the perfect formula for dogs with seizures. 

It starts with high-quality chicken and chicken meal. These lean proteins offer essential nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints and lean muscles. And the chicken provides a lower-calorie protein to help your dog avoid weight gain. 

The key ingredients to this formula are MCT vegetable oil and fish oil. These contain high antioxidants for an immune boost and EPA and DHA so it won’t trigger seizures. And, it may boost better brain activity. 

Pet parents say this food is a godsend for dogs with epilepsy. While they aren’t fond of the cost, they believe it’s worth it to help their furry friend avoid seizures. 

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Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care with Chicken Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Pork Fat, Cracked Pearled Barley, Chicken
• Guaranteed Analysis: 12% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 5% Fiber
• Caloric Content: 402 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Low-protein and high-fat dog food with l-carnitine for kidney care 

Many dogs who have seizures tend to have kidney failure or poor liver function later in life. 

These issues can boost seizure activity and, in worse-case scenarios, cause kidney failure and severe loss of liver function. 

Along with talking to your veterinarian, you can also switch your dog’s food to an option that protects their vital organs. If that’s the case, ask about Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care dog food. 

This vet-prescribed formula offers clinically tested nutrition. It’s shown to repair and repel damage to kidney tissues. This helps your dog’s kidneys function, filter toxins and waste from the blood, and increase their appetite. 

First, they use their proprietary enhanced appetite trigger (E.A.T.) technology to increase your dog’s appetite. And while this food is low in protein to help protect the liver and kidneys, it does have chicken to provide l-carnitine for a boost in renal function. 

Fish oil and soybean oil provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for better liver and kidney function, plus cognitive health.

It’s also worth noting that this food is lower in phosphorus, which can be a dangerous substance for kidneys if the ratio isn’t correct.

Dog owners feel like their dog got their life back after switching to this dog food. Many say their dog no longer seems in pain and has more energy. 

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The Ultimate Buying Guide For Owners of Dogs With Seizures

Not sure about what food to buy and how to help your dog with seizures? Here’s what you should know.

Seizures in Dogs

Seizures are a reported neurological condition in dogs. Also known as convulsions, they involuntary disturb normal brain function.

This, in turn, is usually followed by uncontrollable muscle activity, jerking, and dazed looks that you see from many dogs. In extreme cases, dogs may lose control of their bowels as well.

There are different types of seizures. The most known is the grand mal seizure. This happens when your dog convulses or even loses consciousness. These last up to a few minutes. 

Another type of seizure, called a focal seizure, happens when a particular part of the brain gets triggered. This can cause one side of your dog’s body to create unusual movements. If you’ve ever seen or known a person who’s had a stroke, this seizure is like how it happens. 

There’s also a psychomotor seizure. This leads to unusual behavior, like your dog freaking out at nothing, chasing their tail, or even attacking thin air. 

The last type of seizure comes from idiopathic epilepsy. These are genetic. You’ll find them in dogs prone to epilepsy.

This includes Shih Tzus, Labrador Retrievers, and Poodles (both miniature and standard). And that’s to name a few.

What Causes Seizures in Dogs?

There are many causes of seizures. This includes your dog’s exposure to allergens or toxic substances, liver or kidney disease, and lack of iodine. But anemia and brain issues like cancer, epilepsy, or tumors can also play a part.

It’s essential to track the types of seizures your dog has (see above) and talk to your vet about them as soon as possible.

Once your vet has diagnosed your dog and come up with a cause, you can then look into the proper medications (if needed), diet, and treatment plan. 

What Should You Do When Your Dog Is Having Seizures?

The best thing is to stay calm and leave your dog alone. Don’t pick them up, don’t move them, and don’t mess with their head. Don’t try to keep them from biting themselves, as they might bite you instead. 

Stay alert and be by their side. Once the seizure has stopped, and your dog is calm, get them to a veterinarian. If they’re diagnosed with a disorder like epilepsy, follow the steps your vet told you to when your dog has a seizure. 

Best Diet for Dogs With Epilepsy

Some dogs with epilepsy can eat a regular diet and manage their disorder via medication. But some dogs, especially as they get older or if their seizures occur even with medicine, may need to change their diet.

Here’s what to look into.

Prescription Diet

First, a prescription diet can benefit dogs on certain medications or with other health issues like kidney or liver disease.

You’ll need to talk to your vet about the best recommendation for your pup’s specific needs and have them write a prescription. 

Keep in mind that these diets can be the most expensive as well. So if your dog doesn’t need to be on one, it’s okay to choose another option. 

Raw Diet

While some studies and veterinarians are cautious about raw diets, they can help some dogs with epilepsy. If you choose a raw diet, make sure it’s not packed with organ meat, as this can trigger liver and kidney problems. 

Ketogenic Diet

Ketogenic diet studies have shown a link between the diet and reducing seizures for some dogs. This balanced diet is packed with medium-chain triacylglycerols (found in fats like coconut oil). 

These bring your dog into a state of ketosis, helping them absorb nutrients slower and stop extreme and sudden triggers in the brain that cause seizures. And there are commercial dog foods that offer keto options. 

What to Look For in a Dog Food for Seizures

Suppose you choose to go with a non-prescription recipe, no worries. Dogs with canine epilepsy can thrive on regular dog food. Just make sure it includes the following content. 

High Animal Fat Content

As discussed above, healthy fats containing medium-chain triacylglycerols can help reduce seizures. But animal fat is also needed to help your dog control their cognitive function better and help them avoid potential episodes. 

Fats from coconut oil, salmon oil, palm kernel oil, chicken, beef, and even pork are great for fat content. 

High-Protein Content

Slow digesting proteins like real animal proteins (lamb, fish, beef) provide natural iodine, folate, taurine, B vitamins, and choline sources.

These are essential for dogs with epilepsy since they aid in the stability of plasma levels, which can cause seizures when out of whack. 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Seizures are caused when the brain doesn’t communicate well with the body. As such, omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for dogs with epilepsy.

This is because they offer acids like DHA, ARA, and EPA. These help with cognitive function, muscle recovery and support, and eye health. 

Ingredients like fish, salmon oil, and coconut oil provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids. 

No Grains & No Gluten

While some dogs with epilepsy can have grains or gluten, many do better without. Dog foods that follow the raw and ketogenic diet naturally exclude grains and gluten. 

And for a good reason. Grains contain high phytate content, impair mineral absorption, and make dogs more susceptible to seizures. If your dog is on a diet with grains, takes medication, but still has episodes, try switching their food. 

Taurine & Choline

Taurine and choline can help your dog recover from their seizures faster and avoid long-term effects. 

Taurine is an amino acid that keeps the brain’s electrical activity moderated. This means the brain is less likely to “spike” and trigger involuntary movements like seizures. 

Choline helps after seizures. Many dogs seem “out of it” after an episode. This is because of cognitive impairment.

And, if your dog has many attacks, this could cause memory loss. But with choline, this possible memory impairment is reduced. 

While these nutrients can be found naturally in ingredients like fish, poultry, and eggs, many dog foods also supplement them. 

Our Verdict

Seizures don’t have to bring your dog down. In fact, with the right treatment plan and food, your dog can reduce their seizure activity and keep up with their day-to-day life. 

Our top choice is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PR Dog Food. 

Veterinarians highly recommend it, and it’s formulated specifically for dogs with specialized needs — like those with epilepsy and seizures. 

Of course, all of the dog foods on this list can support your furry friend while you treat their disorder. Be sure to talk with your vet about your best choices. 

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