Dogs, like people, can face anxiety and stress. Sometimes, these feelings are severe enough that medication can help. For dogs dealing with significant anxiety or stress, trazodone is one option veterinarians may recommend. If your dog is dealing with anxiety, you may want to discuss trazodone with your veterinarian.

Trazodone works by boosting serotonin in the brain, which helps to calm dogs during stressful situations. This medication is especially useful for anxiety related to loud noises, separation, grooming, vet visits, and travel. Using trazodone for dogs has become standard practice in veterinary medicine and this article will help show you why.

đź’Š My Top Tips When Using Trazodone in Dogs

  • It helps treat behavioral disorders like anxiety, stress, and phobias
  • Veterinarians prescribe trazodone as an antidepressant and mild sedative to manage anxiety and stress in dogs, particularly in stressful situations like veterinary visits, grooming, or after surgery
  • Trazodone can also keep dogs calm and relaxed after surgery during recovery
  • Giving trazodone with food increases its effectiveness
  • For best results, trazodone is sometimes combined with other medications and behavior training
  • Dosing is personalized; veterinarians typically start with a lower dose and adjust as needed based on your dog’s response

Understanding Trazodone

Anxiety can be challenging for dogs, but medications like trazodone offer effective ways to manage stress-related behaviors and improve quality of life.

What is Trazodone for dogs?

Trazodone is a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI) medication primarily used to treat depression in humans. However, it has gained popularity among veterinarians as an effective treatment for anxiety-related behaviors in dogs.

By increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, trazodone helps stabilize a dog’s mood and reduce anxiety. This makes it a valuable tool in managing various canine anxiety disorders, from separation anxiety to situational anxiety during events like thunderstorms or fireworks.

If your dog struggles with anxiety or stress, trazodone might be a beneficial option to discuss with your veterinarian. It is one of the most common anti anxiety medications used in dogs.

How Does Trazodone Work in Dogs?

Trazodone is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI), which increases serotonin levels in the brain. This boost in serotonin helps improve mood and reduce anxiety, making trazodone a common choice for managing stress and anxiety in dogs.

Similarly, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) also increase serotonin levels in the central nervous system and are often recommended by veterinarians as alternative medications for dogs experiencing severe anxiety.

What are the Main Uses and Benefits of Trazodone for Dogs?

Trazodone for dogs is primarily used to manage fear, stress, and anxiety-related behaviors. It can also help with other behavioral issues including:

  • Separation anxiety
  • Compulsive behaviors
  • Noise phobias (e.g., fireworks, thunderstorm phobias)
  • Excessive barking or howling
  • Aggression (usually alongside other treatments)

The main advantage of trazodone is its ability to keep dogs calm in stressful situations, such as vet visits or grooming appointments. It is commonly prescribed to relax dogs before these events, helping them stay calm and comfortable.

During veterinary visits, trazodone's sedative properties are particularly beneficial for reducing fear and anxiety in dogs.

Trazodone is also beneficial after surgery, especially when limiting activity is important for healing. Combined with pain medications like tramadol or gabapentin, it can help dogs rest easier during recovery. According to a study in the AVMA, 90% of dog owners reported positive results with trazodone post-surgery.

Additionally, trazodone can ease anxiety during travel, making car rides, plane trips, or other travel experiences less stressful for your dog.

trazodone for dogs
Trazodone can help scared or anxious dogs

What is Important to Know When Giving Your Dog Trazodone?

When administering trazodone to your dog, keep these points in mind to ensure safe and effective use:

Consider liver or kidney disease: Dogs with liver or kidney disease may experience prolonged effects and take longer to metabolize trazodone. Special dosing considerations may be required.

Give with food: Trazodone is more effective when taken with food. It comes in both tablet and liquid forms. Giving trazodone on an empty stomach is not recommended.

Follow dosage instructions: The typical dose is about 5 mg per kilogram of body weight, given two to three times daily. Always follow your veterinarian’s dosing recommendation, as the dose can vary based on your dog’s specific needs.

Start low and increase gradually: Trazodone has sedative effects, so it’s best to begin with a lower dose and gradually increase it as advised by your veterinarian.

Tips for Giving Trazodone to Your Dog

When it comes to administering trazodone to your dog, following your veterinarian’s prescribed dosage instructions is very important.

Always give trazodone with a meal to minimize any potential gastrointestinal side effects and increase its effectiveness. If you happen to miss a dose, administer it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular dosing schedule.

Never give two doses of trazodone close together (less than 6 hours apart), as this could increase the risk of side effects.

What is the Trazodone Dosage for Dogs?

The appropriate trazodone dose depends on its purpose and the expected outcome. When trazodone is used along with other medications, such as fluoxetine, clomipramine, or benzodiazepines, your veterinarian will adjust each dosage carefully to achieve effective results while minimizing side effects.

The following trazodone dosing chart for dogs can be used as a guideline if you are using it on an as-needed basis to address any form of canine anxiety (storm phobia, travel anxiety, separation anxiety, etc.).

Dog Weight (lbs)As-Needed Dosing (8 mg/kg/day)Maximum Daily Dose (20 mg/kg/day)
< 22Up to 80 mg/dayUp to 200 mg/day
22 - 4480–160 mg/day200–400 mg/day
44 - 66160–240 mg/day400–600 mg/day
66 - 88240–320 mg/day600–800 mg/day
>88320 mg/day800 mg/day

🚨 These dosing ranges are general guidelines and may vary based on your dog’s specific condition and needs. Always consult your veterinarian before starting or adjusting any medication for your dog.

Side Effects of Trazodone in Dogs, Including Serotonin Syndrome

Trazodone is generally well-tolerated in most dogs, but there are some potential side effects that you should be aware of. These include:

  • Extreme sedation
  • Increased appetite
  • Behavioral disinhibition (reduced caution in actions)
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Hyperactivity (a paradoxical reaction)

It is important to monitor your dog's behavior closely when administering trazodone, as reactions can vary and may indicate underlying issues or severe reactions requiring veterinary attention.

In rare cases, trazodone may also cause liver damage. Starting with a lower dose and gradually increasing it can help reduce the risk of side effects.

When trazodone is combined with other serotonergic drugs, there is a risk of serotonin syndrome—a potentially serious condition caused by too much serotonin in the body. Signs of serotonin syndrome include:

  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Hyperactivity
  • Increased heart rate
  • Lethargy
  • Muscle tremors or twitching
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Changes in mental state

If you notice any of these signs in your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Using Trazodone to Treat Generalized and Separation Anxiety in Dogs

For long-term anxiety management, veterinarians often recommend using trazodone daily, rather than only as-needed for specific events. Trazodone is often used to treat behavioral disorders such as anxiety and phobias. To boost its effectiveness, trazodone is commonly combined with other medications, such as fluoxetine, clomipramine, or benzodiazepines. Melatonin can also be a beneficial addition when used alongside trazodone for anxiety.

Monitoring and Adjusting Treatment

It’s important to keep a close eye on your dog’s response to trazodone and adjust the treatment as needed. Monitor your dog’s behavior, appetite, and general effectiveness of the medication.

If you notice any adverse reactions or side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, contact your veterinarian immediately. They may need to adjust the dosage or recommend alternative treatments to better suit your dog’s needs.

If you don’t notice any improvement in your dog’s anxiety or behavior after a few weeks of trazodone treatment, consult your veterinarian. They may consider adjusting the trazodone dose or exploring additional options, such as combining trazodone with other medications or incorporating behavioral training.

Regular check-ups with your veterinarian are also key to ensuring that trazodone is working effectively and safely for your dog. During these visits, your vet may monitor your dog’s liver and kidney function, as trazodone can affect these organs in some cases.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using Trazodone in Dogs

How fast does trazodone work in dogs?

Trazodone typically takes effect within 30 minutes to an hour, with peak effects appearing between 3 and 12 hours after administration. For best results, give trazodone with food, though this may slow its absorption slightly. When used daily for generalized anxiety, full effects may take 2 to 4 weeks to appear.

What is the typical dosing schedule used by veterinarians?

Dosing varies based on usage. For long-term treatment combined with other medications, veterinarians usually start with a low daily dose, increasing it after 3-5 days. For instance, a 10-20 kg dog may receive around 100 mg every 8-24 hours. When used alone on an as-needed basis, the dose can go up to 10 mg/kg every 8 hours, often for post-surgery sedation.

How long does trazodone last in dogs?

Trazodone’s half-life in dogs is 2-3 hours, meaning it lasts about 6-12 hours at therapeutic doses. This makes it great to help manage short term stress relief.

Can I give my dog trazodone every day?

Yes, trazodone is safe for daily use for the treatment of various anxiety disorders in dogs.


In closing, trazodone is commonly used in veterinary medicine as a versatile medication used to alleviate anxiety and other behavioral concerns in dogs, from separation anxiety to aggression. Its calming effects can help dogs feel more relaxed, especially in situations like vet visits, thunderstorms, or fireworks.

Whether used daily or on an as-needed basis, trazodone can make a significant difference for your dog. If you have any questions or think trazodone might be helpful for your dog, be sure to consult your veterinarian.