Can Dogs Faint? Yes, and the Medical Term is “Syncope”

Most people know humans can faint. But dogs?

Yes, dogs can faint too, and when it happens it can look dramatic, confusing, and honestly a bit frightening. The medical term most commonly used for fainting is syncope (pronounced SIN-co-pee). Using that word matters, because it’s exactly what many people see in vet notes, discharge paperwork, or search online when they’re trying to make sense of what happened.

This blog is here to help you understand what a fainting-style episode can look like, why it’s often mistaken for a seizure, what patterns are useful to notice, and where training support can help once the medical side is being checked.

What is syncope in dogs?

Syncope is the medical term used for a brief fainting episode, where a dog suddenly loses posture and awareness, then recovers. It’s best thought of as a description of an event, not a diagnosis on its own. In other words, it describes what happened, not necessarily why it happened.

You might also see:

• Presyncope: the “almost fainting” version, where a dog looks weak, wobbly, or vacant, but doesn’t fully go down.
• Situational or reflex syncope: when episodes seem linked to specific triggers like coughing, swallowing, toileting, excitement, or sometimes lead pressure around the neck.

What does syncope look like at home?

When people describe syncope (or what they think might be syncope), they often say things like:

• “He just dropped.”
• “Her legs went wobbly and she went down.”
• “He seemed to switch off for a few seconds.”
• “She collapsed and then got back up like nothing happened.”

A fainting-style episode often looks sudden, and many dogs appear limp when they collapse.

Why it can look like a seizure

This is where a lot of families get thrown, and it’s completely understandable.

A fainting-style episode can sometimes include:

• brief twitching or jerky movements
• a moment of stiffening
• vocalising
• a toileting accident

So if you’ve ever thought “that must be a seizure” based on one of those signs alone, you’re not the only one.

Syncope vs seizure: why the “after” matters

One of the most useful things to pay attention to is what your dog is like after the event.

With syncope, many dogs:

• seem to “come back” quickly
• are fairly normal soon after

With seizures, many dogs:

• have a longer recovery window
• can seem disoriented, unsettled, clingy, restless, hungry, thirsty, or just “not themselves” for a while afterwards

Not always, but often enough that it’s worth knowing. If your dog has repeated events, these patterns are useful information to share with your vet.

The 60 seconds before the episode matters more than people realise

If you only remember one thing from this blog, make it this:

What your dog was doing right before the episode can be one of the biggest clues.

Syncope is often reported by owners around:

• bursts of excitement (door greetings, visitors, zoomies)
• exertion (running, stairs, intense play)
• coughing or gagging
• swallowing
• toileting
• a sudden startle or stress moment
• pulling hard on lead, especially if pressure is on the neck

None of that proves what it was, but patterns help professionals work out what to investigate.

Is syncope more common in older dogs?

Syncope is reported more commonly in older dogs than young dogs. That’s not because older dogs are “supposed to faint”, it’s because the underlying issues that can contribute to collapse events become more likely as dogs age.

Young dogs can still experience syncope, but if an older dog suddenly collapses, it’s something worth taking seriously rather than writing off as “just a weird moment”.

What if my dog already has seizures?

A history of seizures doesn’t automatically mean a dog is more likely to faint, but it does make things trickier because events can look similar.

Sometimes the biggest issue is that families (understandably) label every collapse as a seizure, even when the pattern has changed.

If a dog has an established seizure history and you start seeing episodes that look different (for example, very short events linked to excitement or exertion, with a fast recovery), it’s worth mentioning that change to your vet.

Would syncope confuse or stress the dog? Would they know?

This is such a human question, and it matters.

Most dogs probably don’t “understand” what happened the way we do, but they can feel the sensations leading up to it (weakness, wobbliness, an odd internal feeling). If they truly faint, they’re briefly unconscious, so they won’t be aware during that part.

Afterwards:

• some dogs bounce back and act normal
• others seem a bit unsettled or cautious, especially if it happened during a high-arousal moment

Dogs are also great at pattern learning. If something repeatedly happens during door greetings or intense play, some dogs become wary of those situations. That’s not stubbornness, it’s self-protection.

If you ever see it happen: what’s helpful to note

We’re not here to turn you into a clinician, but a few simple observations can be genuinely helpful to share with your vet:

• What was your dog doing right before it happened?
• About how long did it last?
• Did your dog seem limp, stiff, or twitchy?
• How quickly did your dog seem back to normal afterwards?
• Any coughing, gagging, swallowing, or toileting involved?
• If safe, a short video can be helpful

Even a few notes on your phone can make a big difference.

Where Jordan Dog Training fits in

If your dog has ever had a collapse episode, a veterinary check is the right first step. Our role comes in alongside that, especially if you’re noticing events happen around excitement, greetings, lead pulling, or big arousal spikes.

Our Jordan Dog Training accredited trainers can help you with:

• calmer greeting routines (so excitement doesn’t hit 100 instantly)
• lead skills and reduced pulling
• relaxation and arousal regulation
• low-arousal enrichment ideas that still meet your dog’s needs

And if you’re in a “keep it calm for now” season, the Jordan Dog Training online store stocks a wide range of natural, healthy, environmentally enriching treats that suit slow, soothing enrichment at home. Our website also has a wealth of searchable blogs on common dog topics to support you as you go.

Final thoughts

Yes, dogs can faint, and the medical term you’ll often see for that is syncope. It can look like a seizure, it can be a one-off, or it can be part of a bigger picture. The goal isn’t to guess at home. It’s to notice the pattern, keep your dog supported, and seek professional guidance.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is intended as general guidance and is based on our experience as dog trainers and behaviourists. It is not veterinary advice and should not replace consultation with a qualified veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, wellbeing, or mobility, we always recommend speaking with your vet to ensure the best care for your dog.