user7348: Are domesticated animals able to generate their own karma, or is it down to their masters to ensure that they are set on the right path? I am talking particularly in regards to Pets, here.
My dog, Bronson, has epilepsy and fits on a regular basis, perhaps as a result of bad karma? To what extent can he help himself, and to what extent can I? 

user111: 
Are domesticated animals able to generate their own karma

Yes, they commit Kamma just like humans. But their range is limited compared to us. They are unable to commit highly potent good/bad Kamma except on rare occasions. Their minds are clouded by ignorance most of the time. So it's highly unlikely for them to commit a Triple Rooted Kamma required for a perfect human birth. 
Examples of animals committing good Kamma(first 2 are highly potent due to the purity of the recipient):  

Pārileyyaka the elephant and the monkey who took care of the Buddha in the forest.
Muchalinda the king cobra who sheltered the Buddha from rain in the 6th week after attaining enlightenment
Animals taking care of their offspring.


their masters to ensure that they are set on the right path? To what extent can he help himself, and to what extent can I?

Yes, the owners can teach them good manners. Train them not to kill other animals, not to steal food from others. The more domesticated the animal is, the less bad Kamma it would commit. Also, you can have it listen to the Dhamma. It's a long shot, but it has worked on some occations. ex: The story of Manduka Devaputta

My dog, Bronson, has epilepsy and fits on a regular basis, perhaps as
  a result of bad karma?

Yes, it is. This is called the Upattambaka(Supportive) Kamma. In case of lower births, this type of Kamma worsens the living conditions.

user295: In the animal Kingdom the following dominates 

sexual desire - root: craving / hindrance: sensual desire 
fear - root: aversion / hindrance: ill will, doubt
hunger - craving / sensual desire
sleep (many animals eat and sleep a lot) - ignorance / sloth and torpor 
bonding (e.g. dog with owner) - craving

In addition animals do not have:

moral fear
moral shame 

... which are the basis of moral precepts for worldly beings. 
This means animals most of the time create -ve Karma with no or little ability to practice generosity or observe moral precepts let alone concentration and wisdom. This is why if you fall into the Animal Kingdom it is hard to get out. They nevertheless do create Karma as the process of Dependent Origination is rolling creating new fabrications.
The way out is if some past good Karma surfacing to give you a better birth though very rare a good dead in the animal birth giving results. If you have past store of a lot of good Karma and birth is due to a relativelysmall mistake the when this bad Karma exhaust the animal will get a better birth, but when the being has a strong backing of good Karma. 
Since it is not possible to teach the the a pet on moral conduct and how to eliminate the unwholesome mental states there is only little you can do, but you can protect him from these states arising and also help cultivate some positive states:

when in fear - comfort and pet to eradicate 
reduce desire for food - generally give moderately tasty food (give treats occasionally) but in reasonable quantities so he is nerve too hungry 
reduce bonding - do not pet too much and spoil the pet
give the dog activities so as he does not become too lazy 
some pets can be trained as therapy dogs, guide dogs and rescue dogs, etc., like wise train your dog to do some good deeds. You need some imagination how to make this work. If the recipientsare pure and / or needy the results would be better. 
Dogs may have some understanding of babies so try to teach some basic understanding of good and bad. E.g. if chances other animals then not to do this and be more friendly. Again you will have to use a lot of imagination on what can be achived and how it can be achieved 


7348: <p>Are domesticated animals able to generate their own karma, or is it down to their masters to ensure that they are set on the right path? I am talking particularly in regards to Pets, here.</p>

<p>My dog, Bronson, has epilepsy and fits on a regular basis, perhaps as a result of bad karma? To what extent can he help himself, and to what extent can I? </p>
 111: <blockquote>
  <p>Are domesticated animals able to generate their own karma</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Yes, they commit Kamma just like humans. But their range is limited compared to us. They are unable to commit highly potent good/bad Kamma except on rare occasions. Their minds are clouded by ignorance most of the time. So it's highly unlikely for them to commit a Triple Rooted Kamma required for a perfect human birth. </p>

<p>Examples of animals committing good Kamma(first 2 are highly potent due to the purity of the recipient):  </p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/pa/parileyya.htm">Pārileyyaka the elephant</a> and the monkey who took care of the Buddha in the forest.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/lifebuddha/17lbud.htm">Muchalinda the king cobra</a> who sheltered the Buddha from rain in the 6th week after attaining enlightenment</li>
<li>Animals taking care of their offspring.</li>
</ul>

<blockquote>
  <p>their masters to ensure that they are set on the right path? To what extent can he help himself, and to what extent can I?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Yes, the owners can teach them good manners. Train them not to kill other animals, not to steal food from others. The more domesticated the animal is, the less bad Kamma it would commit. Also, you can have it listen to the Dhamma. It's a long shot, but it has worked on some occations. ex: The story of <a href="http://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/manduka/index.html">Manduka Devaputta</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>My dog, Bronson, has epilepsy and fits on a regular basis, perhaps as
  a result of bad karma?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Yes, it is. This is called the <a href="http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/karma.htm">Upattambaka(Supportive) Kamma</a>. In case of lower births, this type of Kamma worsens the living conditions.</p>
 295: <p>In the animal Kingdom the following dominates </p>

<ul>
<li>sexual desire - root: craving / hindrance: sensual desire </li>
<li>fear - root: aversion / hindrance: ill will, doubt</li>
<li>hunger - craving / sensual desire</li>
<li>sleep (many animals eat and sleep a lot) - ignorance / sloth and torpor </li>
<li>bonding (e.g. dog with owner) - craving</li>
</ul>

<p>In addition animals do not have:</p>

<ul>
<li>moral fear</li>
<li>moral shame </li>
</ul>

<p>... which are the basis of moral precepts for worldly beings. </p>

<p>This means animals most of the time create -ve Karma with no or little ability to practice generosity or observe moral precepts let alone concentration and wisdom. This is why if you fall into the Animal Kingdom it is hard to get out. They nevertheless do create Karma as the process of Dependent Origination is rolling creating new fabrications.</p>

<p>The way out is if some past good Karma surfacing to give you a better birth though very rare a good dead in the animal birth giving results. If you have past store of a lot of good Karma and birth is due to a relativelysmall mistake the when this bad Karma exhaust the animal will get a better birth, but when the being has a strong backing of good Karma. </p>

<p>Since it is not possible to teach the the a pet on moral conduct and how to eliminate the unwholesome mental states there is only little you can do, but you can protect him from these states arising and also help cultivate some positive states:</p>

<ul>
<li>when in fear - comfort and pet to eradicate </li>
<li>reduce desire for food - generally give moderately tasty food (give treats occasionally) but in reasonable quantities so he is nerve too hungry </li>
<li>reduce bonding - do not pet too much and spoil the pet</li>
<li>give the dog activities so as he does not become too lazy </li>
<li>some pets can be trained as therapy dogs, guide dogs and rescue dogs, etc., like wise train your dog to do some good deeds. You need some imagination how to make this work. If the recipientsare pure and / or needy the results would be better. </li>
<li>Dogs may have some understanding of babies so try to teach some basic understanding of good and bad. E.g. if chances other animals then not to do this and be more friendly. Again you will have to use a lot of imagination on what can be achived and how it can be achieved </li>
</ul>
