Being a pet parent is a lot of fun. It's also a big responsibility. And if you find out your pup is unwell, it's only natural to feel worried – especially if you receive a diagnosis of a condition like epilepsy.

Butternut Box started out with some very worried humans who wanted to do the best for their dog, so we understand how it feels. When our co-founder Dave and his family brought their rescue Staffie, Rudie, home, she had lots of problems. These included very sore skin and poor digestion that meant she couldn't stop farting. To help her out, the family took to cooking her special meals, which really eased her symptoms.

In the same way Dave worked out how to help Rudie, there are things you can do to manage your pooch's epilepsy. It's worth knowing that your four-legged family member isn’t in pain during a seizure and also realising that you’re not alone in coping with this illness. Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological illnesses in dogs with around four in every 100 dogs living with it. You'll work out ways to help your dog – like moving things out the way and turning out the lights when they experience a fit.

Here are a few ways Butternut Box can offer support to dogs with epilepsy and their concerned humans:
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Epilepsy is a condition that causes abnormal electrical activity in the brain, resulting in sudden behaviour and movement changes. If you notice your pup has two or more of these seizures up to 24 hours apart, it could be a sign that they're epileptic. Your vet can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe medication to help reduce the number and intensity of seizures, as well as advising other holistic things you can do too.

It is recommended that you keep your dog on a consistent diet to assist with the effectiveness of their drugs. Butternut Box meals are perfectly balanced and portioned for your particular dog. When you sign up, we'll ask you all about your dog – from their age and breed to any long-term illnesses they might have. Our system (expertly built by vets and nutritionist) calculates exactly what your dog needs and we send you meal-sized pouches containing all the calories and nutrients your dog needs. Happily, they're drool-inducing, too, so even poorly pups will be tempted to tuck in.
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While your vet is establishing the most effective dosage for your epileptic pooch, it’s a good idea to bone-up on potential side effects. Phenobarbitone and potassium bromide are common treatments for epilepsy and have been observed to increase appetite and thirst in dogs.

By choosing Butternut Box, you can help your dog avoid over-eating and potentially gaining weight. By combining human-quality protein, lentils & minerals, we provide nutrient-dense meals that are satisfying. Ingredients like broccoli and sweet potato keep tums feeling fuller for longer. And as our recipes are moist and gently cooked they're easy to digest and can keep the lid on thirst, too.
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Fits in dogs can be triggered by human foods (such as chocolate) which are toxic for your four-legged family members. While you should never give your dog these foods, if they get their paws on some and have a seizure, it doesn't mean they're epileptic. Concerns have been raised about rosemary oil being linked to epilepsy in dogs, but there’s no definitive research around it. A highly concentrated form of the herb, rosemary extract, is sometimes used as a preservative in dog foods, which is where the concern stems from. It's been speculated that the stimulating effect it has on the nervous system can make the seizures worse. But dried and fresh versions are harmless since they’re nowhere near as strong.

At Butternut Box, we include dried rosemary in some of our meals to take advantage of its herbal properties. These have traditionally been thought to include improved circulation and a boosted immune system thanks to the antioxidants and anti-inflammatories found in the herb. It also makes our meals extra tasty. But as our recipes are checked (and double-checked) by our vets and nutritionists, you can be assured they’re safe. If you prefer to err on the side of caution, we have five recipes including Chicken You Out and Pork This Way meals which have no added rosemary and are still delicious for dogs with epilepsy.