There are several different types of seizures that can occur in dogs. Learn how CBD can be used to cure your dog of it seizures today!
Seizures are one of the most frightening health conditions a dog owner can experience. Watching your dog lose control of their body, convulse, or appear disoriented can leave you feeling helpless and searching for answers.
While conventional anti-seizure medications remain the primary treatment for canine epilepsy, growing interest in cannabidiol (CBD) has led researchers to investigate whether it may help reduce seizure frequency and improve quality of life for affected dogs.
Over the past several years, multiple veterinary studies have explored CBD's potential role in epilepsy management. While research is still evolving, the results have generated significant interest among veterinarians, researchers, and pet owners alike.
Key Takeaways
- Epilepsy affects approximately 0.6% to 0.75% of dogs.
- CBD has emerged as a promising area of veterinary epilepsy research.
- The Colorado State University study reported a median seizure reduction of approximately 33% in dogs receiving CBD.
- Nearly 89% of dogs in the CBD group experienced some reduction in seizure frequency.
- CBD is not a cure for epilepsy and does not eliminate seizures in every dog.
- Most current evidence supports CBD as an adjunctive therapy used alongside conventional anti-seizure medications.
- Research continues to investigate optimal dosing, long-term safety, and treatment outcomes.
Quick Answer: Does CBD Help Dogs With Seizures?
Current research suggests CBD may help reduce seizure frequency in some dogs with epilepsy, particularly when used alongside conventional anti-seizure medications.
Several veterinary studies have reported meaningful reductions in seizure activity among dogs receiving CBD compared to placebo groups. However, CBD is not considered a cure for epilepsy, and responses vary considerably between individual dogs.
Most veterinary neurologists currently view CBD as a potential complementary therapy rather than a replacement for traditional seizure medications.
Understanding Seizures in Dogs
A seizure occurs when abnormal electrical activity develops within the brain.
Depending on the area of the brain affected, seizures may cause:
- Muscle twitching
- Convulsions
- Loss of consciousness
- Staring episodes
- Loss of coordination
- Unusual behaviors
Epilepsy is one of the most common causes of recurrent seizures in dogs. Studies estimate that approximately 0.6% to 0.75% of dogs are affected by epilepsy, making it one of the most frequently diagnosed neurological disorders in veterinary medicine.
While some seizures result from underlying diseases, injuries, toxins, or metabolic disorders, many epileptic dogs are diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy, meaning no specific underlying cause can be identified.
Why Researchers Became Interested in CBD
Interest in CBD and epilepsy largely stems from human medical research.
CBD gained international attention after studies demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing seizures in certain forms of treatment-resistant childhood epilepsy. This research eventually led to the FDA approval of Epidiolex®, a purified CBD medication used to treat specific seizure disorders in humans.
Because dogs and humans share many neurological similarities, researchers began exploring whether CBD might offer similar benefits for canine epilepsy.
How CBD May Affect Seizures
Researchers are still working to fully understand how CBD influences seizure activity.
Unlike THC, CBD does not produce intoxicating effects. Instead, CBD interacts with multiple signaling pathways throughout the nervous system.
Current evidence suggests CBD may:
- Influence endocannabinoid signaling
- Support neuronal stability
- Reduce excessive nerve cell excitation
- Modulate inflammatory pathways
- Affect calcium movement within neurons
- Influence neurotransmitter activity
Because seizures involve abnormal electrical activity within the brain, these mechanisms may help explain why CBD has shown promise in both human and veterinary epilepsy research.
What the Veterinary Studies Show
Colorado State University Epilepsy Study (2019)
One of the most frequently cited studies examining CBD and canine epilepsy was conducted by researchers at Colorado State University.
Published in Pet Behaviour Science in 2019, the randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated dogs with treatment-resistant epilepsy that were already receiving conventional anti-seizure medications.
Researchers found that:
- Dogs receiving CBD experienced a median reduction in seizure frequency of approximately 33%.
- Nearly 89% of dogs in the CBD group experienced some reduction in seizure frequency.
- Dogs receiving placebo showed significantly less improvement.
Although not every dog responded, the study provided encouraging evidence that CBD may help reduce seizure activity in certain patients.
Perhaps most importantly, the study demonstrated that CBD could be administered alongside traditional anti-seizure medications without major safety concerns.
The AKC Canine Health Foundation Study
The Colorado State research was supported in part by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, which has continued funding epilepsy research involving cannabinoids.
Researchers noted that while CBD was not universally effective, dogs that achieved higher blood concentrations of CBD generally experienced greater reductions in seizure frequency.
This observation suggests that dosing consistency and bioavailability may play important roles in treatment outcomes.
What Percentage of Dogs Improve?
One of the most common questions owners ask is:
"How many dogs actually benefit from CBD?"
Current studies suggest results vary substantially between individuals.
Some dogs experience little or no change in seizure frequency. Others demonstrate moderate improvements, while a smaller subset may achieve significant reductions.
Across published veterinary studies, reductions in seizure frequency ranging from approximately 20% to 50% have been observed among responding dogs.
This places CBD in a category similar to many adjunctive epilepsy therapies, where effectiveness varies based on the individual patient and underlying neurological condition.
Can CBD Stop Seizures Completely?
Current evidence does not support CBD as a cure for epilepsy.
While some dogs experience dramatic improvements, complete seizure elimination remains relatively uncommon.
Most veterinary neurologists recommend viewing CBD as a tool that may help reduce seizure frequency or severity rather than eliminate seizures entirely.
Realistic expectations are important when evaluating any epilepsy treatment.
CBD and Traditional Anti-Seizure Medications
Most dogs enrolled in CBD studies were already receiving conventional seizure medications such as:
- Phenobarbital
- Potassium bromide
- Levetiracetam (Keppra)
- Zonisamide
This is an important distinction.
The majority of current evidence evaluates CBD as an adjunctive therapy, meaning it is used alongside existing treatments rather than replacing them.
Owners should never discontinue prescribed seizure medications without veterinary supervision, as doing so can increase seizure risk and potentially trigger life-threatening complications.
Is CBD Safe for Dogs With Epilepsy?
Current research suggests CBD is generally well tolerated by most dogs.
Reported side effects are typically mild and may include:
- Drowsiness
- Temporary digestive upset
- Increased thirst
- Mild sedation
Some studies have also reported elevated liver enzyme levels in certain dogs receiving CBD.
Because of this, veterinarians may recommend periodic bloodwork when CBD is used long term, particularly in dogs already taking anti-seizure medications that affect liver function.
Factors That Influence Results
Not every dog responds to CBD in the same way.
Several factors may affect outcomes, including:
Type of Epilepsy
Different seizure disorders may respond differently to treatment.
Severity of Disease
Dogs with severe or treatment-resistant epilepsy often require multiple management strategies.
Product Quality
CBD quality varies dramatically between manufacturers.
Products that undergo third-party testing and provide Certificates of Analysis (COAs) offer greater confidence regarding cannabinoid content and purity.
Dosage
Several studies suggest higher circulating CBD levels may correlate with improved seizure control.
Proper dosing should always be determined in consultation with a veterinarian.
What Veterinarians Currently Think
The veterinary community's perspective on CBD continues to evolve.
Most neurologists agree that current evidence is promising but still limited.
CBD is not considered a first-line treatment for epilepsy, but many veterinarians recognize its potential as part of a comprehensive seizure management plan.
As larger clinical trials are completed, recommendations will likely become more refined.
Areas Where More Research Is Needed
Although existing studies are encouraging, several important questions remain unanswered.
Researchers continue investigating:
- Optimal dosing strategies
- Long-term safety
- Drug interactions
- Effects on different epilepsy types
- Predictors of treatment success
- Impact on seizure severity and recovery
The next generation of veterinary epilepsy research will help clarify CBD's role in canine neurology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBD help dogs with epilepsy?
Current studies suggest CBD may help reduce seizure frequency in some dogs with epilepsy, particularly when used alongside traditional anti-seizure medications.
What study showed CBD helps dog seizures?
The Colorado State University placebo-controlled epilepsy study found that dogs receiving CBD experienced a median seizure reduction of approximately 33%, with nearly 89% showing some level of improvement.
Can CBD replace seizure medication?
No. Current evidence supports CBD as a complementary therapy rather than a replacement for conventional epilepsy medications.
How long does CBD take to work for seizures?
Response times vary. Some dogs may show changes within weeks, while others require longer periods of consistent use before benefits become apparent.
Is CBD safe for dogs with seizures?
Research suggests CBD is generally well tolerated, although monitoring by a veterinarian is recommended, particularly when used alongside other medications.
What percentage of dogs improve with CBD?
Published studies suggest many dogs experience some reduction in seizure frequency, although the degree of improvement varies considerably.
References
McGrath S, Bartner LR, Rao S, Packer RA, Gustafson DL. Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. Pet Behaviour Science. 2019;(7):31-41.
García PE, Cutando-Soriano A, Martínez-Subiela S, et al. Cannabidiol in canine epilepsy: Current evidence and future directions. Veterinary Sciences. 2023;10(2):95.
Volk HA, Matiasek K, Feliu-Pascual AL, et al. International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force Consensus Report on Epilepsy Definition, Classification and Terminology in Companion Animals. BMC Veterinary Research. 2015;11:182.
American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. Cannabinoid Research for Canine Epilepsy. Available at: https://www.akcchf.org
Devinsky O, Cross JH, Laux L, et al. Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine. 2017;376(21):2011-2020.
World Health Organization. Cannabidiol (CBD) Critical Review Report. Available at: https://www.who.int
National Center for Biotechnology Information. Cannabidiol and Epilepsy Research Database. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Consensus Statements on Canine Epilepsy. Available at: https://www.acvim.org
