Collection: My Dog Has Seizures or IVDD

My Dog Has Seizures or IVDD

Two Dogs. One Household. One Month.

Mia and Harper are two dogs who live together, and both have IVDD. Their family was already feeding a fresh, quality diet sourced through House of Paws. But when we recommended adding Lion's Mane mushroom to their bowls, something remarkable happened.

Within one month, a dog who had no movement in their backend was scratching their ear.

We are not claiming a miracle. We are sharing what we witnessed, and what the research on Lion's Mane and neurological regeneration increasingly supports. When the body is given the right tools, it is capable of extraordinary things.

IVDD and Seizures Are Different Conditions, But This Page Covers Both

Intervertebral disc disease and seizure disorders affect the neurological system in different ways, but they share a common thread: the nervous system needs nutritional support that most conventional protocols do not address.

IVDD occurs when the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spine herniate or rupture, pressing on the spinal cord and causing pain, nerve damage, and in severe cases loss of mobility. It is one of the most heartbreaking diagnoses a pet parent can receive because the decline can be rapid and the conventional options, surgery or strict crate rest, feel limited.

Seizure disorders, including epilepsy, involve abnormal electrical activity in the brain and can range from occasional mild episodes to frequent and severe events that significantly impact quality of life. Management is often pharmaceutical, but there is meaningful nutritional support available that most pet parents never hear about.

What We Recommend for IVDD

Lion's Mane Mushroom

This is always our first recommendation for IVDD and it is not arbitrary. Lion's Mane contains compounds called hericenones and erinacines that have been shown in research to stimulate nerve growth factor, a protein that supports the growth, maintenance, and regeneration of nerve cells. For a dog whose spinal cord has been compressed or damaged, that neurological support is profound.

Mia and Harper's story is not an isolated case. We have seen Lion's Mane make a meaningful difference in dogs with nerve damage and spinal issues, and we recommend it with confidence.

Turmeric and Anti-Inflammatory Support

Inflammation is a significant driver of IVDD pain and progression. Natural anti-inflammatory support including turmeric and green lipped mussel helps reduce the inflammatory burden on the spine and surrounding tissue, supporting comfort and slowing further degeneration.

A Fresh, Anti-Inflammatory Diet

A high starch, highly processed diet drives systemic inflammation, which is the last thing a dog with a compromised spine needs. A fresh, low starch, whole food diet reduces inflammatory load throughout the entire body and gives the nervous system the best possible environment to heal.

For additional reading on supporting IVDD with diet, we have a dedicated resource on our website that goes deeper into the nutritional approach we used when we first encountered this condition. You can find it here. 

What We Recommend for Seizures

Sardines and Omega Fatty Acids

The brain is largely composed of fat, and omega 3 fatty acids are critical for neurological function, membrane integrity, and reducing neuroinflammation. Sardines are one of the most bioavailable and affordable sources of omega 3s available and are one of the first things we recommend adding to the bowl of a dog with a seizure disorder.

Organic Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides, a type of fat that the brain can use directly as fuel. For dogs with seizure disorders, MCTs have shown promise in research as a supportive nutritional tool that may help reduce seizure frequency and support overall neurological health.

We also recommend Lion's Mane mushrooms for seizures to help support the animal's cognitive function.

A Note on Rosemary Extract

If your dog has a seizure disorder you have almost certainly come across warnings about rosemary extract online. We want to address this directly because it causes a lot of unnecessary fear and confusion.

Rosemary in large therapeutic quantities is not recommended for dogs with seizure disorders. That part is accurate. However rosemary extract used as a natural preservative in pet food is present in extremely small amounts, far below any quantity that could impact a dog with seizures. If you have been avoiding otherwise excellent foods because they contain rosemary extract as a preservative, you can stop worrying. The amount used to preserve food will not affect your dog.

As always, if you have specific concerns about ingredients in your dog's diet, come talk to us and we will help you evaluate them properly.

A Note Before You Shop

You will notice we have not included food in this collection. That is intentional. But food is never more important than when the nervous system needs support.

A fresh, low starch, anti-inflammatory diet reduces the systemic burden that makes neurological conditions worse. Every supplement on this page will work harder in a body that is being fed well. You cannot supplement away a bad diet. Trying to is like putting a bandaid on diabetes.

If you are not sure where your dog's diet stands or how to transition away from a highly processed diet, please come talk to us before anything else.

Where To Start

For IVDD: Start with Lion's Mane mushroom as your foundation. Add an anti-inflammatory protocol including turmeric and green lipped mussel. Transition to a fresh, low starch diet. Read our IVDD and diet resource for a deeper dive into the nutritional approach.

For Seizures: Add sardines or organic coconut oil and Lion's Mane mushrooms to the bowl as your first step. Transition to a fresh, whole food diet free from artificial additives. Evaluate all supplements and foods with us to make sure nothing in the bowl is working against your dog's neurological health.

Not sure where to start? Come see us in store. Bring your current food and supplement list, and your questions. We will look at the full picture with you and help you build a protocol that gives your dog's nervous system the support it deserves.

Mia and Harper are still scratching their ears. We are rooting for your dog too.