Does Your Dog Have a Brain Tumor?

If your dog just had a seizure out of nowhere, or you’ve noticed them walking in circles, pressing their head against the wall, or acting like a completely different animal, it’s okay to be scared. These signs can point to a brain tumor, especially in older dogs, and that deserves a straight, honest conversation. A diagnosis isn’t the end of the road. There are options, there are ways to measure quality of life, and there are decisions you can make with your vet that put your dog’s comfort first. Here’s what you need to know.

What are the first signs of a brain tumor in dogs?

The symptoms that show up depend on where in the brain the tumor is growing, but some signs come up again and again. The most important one to know: new-onset seizures in a dog over five years old with no prior history are a red flag that warrants same-day or next-day veterinary attention.

Here’s what to watch for:

• Seizures: Sudden, uncontrolled muscle activity that may look like shaking, collapse, or stiffening.
• Circling: Walking in tight loops, often in one direction.
• Head pressing: Pushing the head against a wall or hard surface for no apparent reason.
• Head tilt: A persistent lean to one side, often paired with balance problems.
• Balance problems: Stumbling, falling, or difficulty walking in a straight line.
• Vision loss: Bumping into furniture, startling easily, or not tracking movement the way they used to.
• Behavior changes: Sudden aggression, unusual anxiety, confusion, or personality shifts that feel out of character.

Any one of these symptoms on its own could have other explanations. But if you’re seeing several of them together, or they came on suddenly in a senior dog, don’t wait. Get to a vet.

What are the types of brain tumors in dogs?

Not all brain tumors are the same, and the distinction matters for how your dog is treated.

Primary brain tumors

These start in the brain itself. The two most common types are:

• Meningioma: A tumor that grows from the membranes surrounding the brain. It’s often slower-growing and tends to respond better to surgery and radiation than other types.
• Glioma: A tumor that grows from the brain’s support cells. Gliomas tend to be more aggressive and are harder to treat surgically because of how they grow into brain tissue.

Certain breeds are more prone to primary brain tumors. Brachycephalic breeds, meaning dogs with shorter, flatter skulls like Boxers and Boston Terriers, have a higher rate of gliomas. Larger breeds, like Golden Retrievers, tend to develop meningiomas more often.

Metastatic brain tumors

These start somewhere else in the body, like the lungs, mammary glands, or skin, and spread to the brain. Because the original cancer is already systemic (meaning it’s traveled through the body), treatment is more complex. Your vet will want to assess the whole picture, not just what’s happening in the brain.

Diagnosis: what to expect at the vet and beyond

Your regular vet is likely the first stop, and they’ll do a neurological exam, checking reflexes, coordination, and eye responses, to get a sense of where in the brain the problem might be. From there, imaging is the key next step.

• MRI: The gold standard for brain imaging in dogs. It gives detailed pictures of soft tissue, including the brain, and is the best tool for identifying tumor location, size, and type. MRI requires general anesthesia.
• CT scan: Faster and more widely available than MRI, and useful for ruling out other causes. It’s less detailed for soft tissue, but sometimes used as a first step or when MRI isn’t accessible.

After imaging, your vet will likely refer you to a veterinary neurologist who specializes in brain and nervous system conditions. A neurologist can interpret the imaging in detail, recommend the most appropriate treatment path, and in some cases perform surgery.

What are the treatment options for brain tumors in dogs?

Treatment depends on the tumor type, location, your dog’s overall health, and what you decide together with your vet. There’s no one right answer here, and your team will help you weigh the options.

• Surgery: If the tumor is in an accessible location, a veterinary neurosurgeon may be able to remove it. Meningiomas, for example, are often good surgical candidates. Recovery takes time, but some dogs do very well post-surgery.
• Radiation therapy: High-energy beams are used to shrink or slow the tumor’s growth. This is often used after surgery or as a standalone treatment when surgery isn’t an option. It typically involves multiple sessions over several weeks.
• Palliative care: When curative treatment isn’t the goal, or isn’t possible, palliative care focuses on keeping your dog comfortable. Prednisone (a corticosteroid) is commonly used to reduce swelling around the tumor and manage symptoms. Anti-seizure medications are also often part of this plan.
• Chemotherapy: Less commonly used for brain tumors in dogs than in humans, but may be recommended for certain tumor types, often alongside radiation.

Prognosis, quality of life, and making hard decisions

If you’re reading this section, you’re probably already in the thick of something really hard. These are the questions that matter most, and they deserve honest, compassionate answers.

What does the prognosis look like?

It varies, and that’s not a non-answer. Tumor type, location, treatment chosen, and the individual dog all play a role. As a general guide, dogs on palliative care only often live one to three months after diagnosis, though some do better. Dogs treated with radiation therapy typically survive six months to over a year. Dogs who undergo successful surgery for meningioma can sometimes live well beyond a year, with some reaching two years or more of good quality life. Your neurologist will give you a much more specific picture once they’ve seen the imaging. Ask them directly about median survival times for your dog’s tumor type and treatment plan.

Is it painful?

It can be distressing, even when the tumor itself isn’t directly painful. The pressure it puts on surrounding brain tissue, the seizures, and the confusion can all take a toll. Palliative medications like prednisone help reduce that pressure and keep your dog more comfortable. Your vet can help you assess whether your dog is showing signs of pain or significant distress.

Tracking good days vs. bad days

One of the most practical things you can do is keep a simple daily log. Note whether your dog ate, drank, wanted to move around, interacted with you, and seemed comfortable. Your vet can share a quality-of-life scale, or you can look up the HHHHHMM scale, which covers Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More good days than bad. When bad days start consistently outnumbering good ones, that’s usually the moment to have an honest conversation with your vet about what comes next.

Seizure emergency plan

Ask your vet in advance what to do when a seizure happens at home. Stay calm and don’t restrain your dog, but keep them away from stairs and furniture edges. Note the time it starts. A seizure lasting more than five minutes, or multiple seizures in 24 hours, is an emergency. Some vets prescribe a fast-acting medication like diazepam to give at home if a seizure runs long. Ask whether that’s appropriate for your dog.

Treatment vs. palliative care

There’s no wrong answer here, and no choice that reflects how much you love your dog. Choosing aggressive treatment isn’t braver than choosing comfort care, and choosing palliative care isn’t giving up. What matters is your dog’s quality of life at every stage. Talk honestly with your neurologist about what recovery from surgery or radiation actually looks like day to day, and weigh that against where your dog is right now. You don’t have to have it all figured out today.

Does pet insurance cover brain tumors in dogs?

Yes, brain tumors are eligible for coverage under a Lemonade Pet accident and illness policy, as long as the condition isn’t pre-existing. That means your dog shouldn’t be showing any signs or symptoms before your policy starts or during your waiting period. MRI imaging, neurology referrals, radiation therapy, and surgery can add up quickly. Getting coverage in place while your dog is healthy is what makes it actually useful when you need it most. 

Before we go

If there’s one thing to take from this: you don’t have to figure it out alone, and you don’t have to rush into decisions before you’re ready. Lean on your vet, ask for a neurology referral, and take it one step at a time. Whatever comes next, you’re already doing the right thing by showing up and asking the hard questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of the policies issued, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage may not be available in all states. Please note that statements about coverages, policy management, claims processes, Giveback, and customer support apply to policies underwritten by Lemonade Insurance Company or Metromile Insurance Company, a Lemonade company, sold by Lemonade Insurance Agency, LLC.  The statements do not apply to policies underwritten by other carriers.