When we talk about canine health research, it can be tempting to focus only on what is new. A recently funded study. A fresh discovery. A promising next step.
Yet science does not move forward by starting over every time. It moves forward by building carefully on what has already been learned.
That is especially true in canine epilepsy research.
Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder in dogs, and for many families, managing it is not simple. Anti-seizure medications help many dogs, but about one-third of dogs with epilepsy continue to have poorly controlled seizures despite carefully managed medical treatment.
For years, the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) has supported research exploring the complex relationship between epilepsy, metabolism, nutrition, and long-term health. One important contribution came from a CHF-funded study led by Dr. Holger Volk at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, examining whether medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil could benefit dogs with drug-resistant idiopathic epilepsy.
Why MCT Oil?
MCTs are a type of fat that is rapidly converted into energy and can produce ketones, an alternative fuel source for the brain.
Researchers became interested in whether dietary MCTs could help support brain function in dogs with epilepsy and serve as a nutritional complement to standard anti-seizure medications.
Importantly, the goal was not to replace medication or provide a cure. Instead, researchers wanted to determine whether adding MCT oil to a dog’s existing treatment plan could help reduce seizure activity and improve quality of life.
The Study
Dr. Volk’s team conducted a carefully designed clinical trial in which dogs remained on their prescribed anti-seizure medications and regular diets.
Dogs received either MCT oil or a placebo for 90 days before switching to the alternate treatment for another 90 days. Throughout the study, owners tracked seizure activity using standardized diaries.
The results were encouraging.
Dogs receiving MCT oil experienced a significant reduction in both seizure frequency and seizure days. Owners also reported improvements in quality of life and fewer medication-related side effects.
Building Better Options for Dogs
The study provided important evidence that nutrition may play a supportive role in managing canine epilepsy.
Nestlé Purina supported a complementary clinical study led by Dr. Volk in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. The study evaluated Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NC NeuroCare, a diet formulated with MCTs and other nutrients designed to support brain health.
Dogs remained on their prescribed anti-seizure medications while transitioning to the Purina Pro Plan NeuroCare diet. Researchers then monitored seizure activity over time.
Again, the results were promising. Dogs fed Purina Pro Plan NeuroCare diet experienced significant reductions in seizure frequency, with some achieving substantial improvements in seizure control.
Although the two studies used different approaches—one adding MCT oil to a dog’s existing diet and the other incorporating MCTs into a complete therapeutic diet—both pointed to a similar conclusion: nutrition may provide veterinarians and families with another layer of support for managing epilepsy in some dogs.
Beyond Seizure Control
One of the most meaningful parts of this research is that it looked beyond seizure counts alone.
Dogs with epilepsy can experience behavioral and cognitive changes that affect daily life for both dogs and their families. In related CHF-funded work, researchers found that dogs receiving MCT oil performed better on spatial-memory and problem-solving tasks and showed improved owner-reported trainability.
These findings suggest that nutritional support may offer benefits that extend beyond seizure control alone. For families, that means progress may be measured not only in fewer seizures, but also in brighter, more connected days with their dog.
Why This Research Matters
This work illustrates how scientific progress often unfolds. One carefully conducted study raises new possibilities, and subsequent research helps strengthen and expand what we know.
MCT is not a cure for epilepsy, nor is it a replacement for veterinary-prescribed medication. However, these studies support the idea that nutritional strategies may help improve seizure management and quality of life for some dogs when used alongside standard veterinary care.
For families living with canine epilepsy, every new piece of evidence matters. Each study gives veterinarians more information, expands the options available to dog owners, and brings us closer to helping dogs live healthier, more stable lives.
That is the power of research—and why CHF remains committed to supporting discoveries that improve the health of all dogs.
