Anxiety and phobias are very common in dogs. In a recent study, it was found that 72.5% of dogs exhibit minimum 1 anxiety behavior, 32% triggered anxiety with noise, 29% were fearful, 14% showed aggression and 6% had separation anxiety issues.

If your dog is also getting anxious with noises, fireworks, or thunderstorms, It means he is showing anxiety issues. The anxiety in dogs can change their behavior and they may start barking excessively, and become destructive or restless. Many times, your dog requires medical support to ease the anxiety. Take your anxious dog to the veterinarian and they will prescribe some medicines to relieve your dog’s anxiety. One such medicine is Trazodone.

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Trazodone is a good option to relax your anxious dog, but before giving medicine to your dog, you must know the complete information about it. Here we have discussed the important information related to Trazodone, dosage, uses, side effects, etc.

What is Trazodone for dogs?

Trazodone is a drug used for treating anxiety and phobias in dogs. It prevents the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its levels in the brain and helping the dog stay calm. The drug stops the brain from removing serotonin quickly by inhibiting stress-causing signals. Trazodone works best in treating separation anxiety, loud noise fear, or travel anxiety.

Trazodone for Dogs details

Name of the medicine	Trazodone
Used for	Treating separation anxiety and situation anxiety
Available form	Tablet
Side effects	Sleepiness, Sedation, watery eyes, nausea, etc.
Dosage	11-15 mg per pound

What are the uses of Trazodone?

Trazodone medicine is useful in treating anxiety, compulsive behaviors, barking, and aggression. The trazodone makes your dog calmer during situations that trigger anxiety.

Also, Trazodone is prescribed for dogs who have travel anxiety and owners find it stressful to take them for grooming or vet visits. If your dog has separation anxiety issues, Trazodone can work to stay relaxed in your absence.

Trazodone is also given after surgery to keep the dogs calm and recover fast. For dogs with travel anxiety, Trazodone can be administered before a journey to promote calmness.

The medicine is also useful for long-term anxiety or phobias in dogs and the dosage duration and quantity are administered by the veterinarian.

How to give Trazodone to Dogs?

Trazodone is given orally as a tablet or liquid. Giving the medicine before food can lead to vomiting, so you must give the medicine to your dog with food. If you are crushing and mixing it with the food, you must first consult the vet.

Also, you must be sure that the dose you are giving should be appropriate for your dog’s weight. After giving the Trazodone dose, monitor your dog for any side effects or severe symptoms.

What is the dosage for Trazodone for Dogs?

The Trazodone dosage for your dog depends on its weight and purpose. There are cases when dogs showed sensitivity to its side effects.

Give a small dose initially and then gradually increase as per your dog’s drug tolerance. Here is a table for detailed dosages of Trazodone for dogs.

Dog’s Weight	Initial Dosage	Target Dosage
< 10 kg	25mg in 8- 24 hours	50 mg in 8-24 hours
10-20 kg	50 mg in 12-24 hours	100 mg in 8-24 hours
20 kg	100 mg in 12-24 hours	200 mg in 8-24 hours
20-40 kg	100 mg in 12-24 hours	200 mg in 8-24 hours
40 kg +	100 mg in 12-24 hours	200 – 300 mg in 8-24 hours

Side effects of Trazodone

Along with the positive effects, Trazodone can also lead to some side effects for dogs. However, the side effects may not be the same in all dogs. Before giving Trazodone to your dogs, be aware of the potential side effects of the medicine. Your dog may experience the following side effects, especially during initial dosage but if you find the symptoms getting worse, you must rush to the veterinarian.

Hypotension – Low blood pressure cases after taking Trazodone are very uncommon, but it is also a potential side effect.
Excitement or Agitation – Your dog may feel over-excited or agitated after taking a Trazodone dose.
Sedation and Lethargy – Your dog’s activity level may reduce due to sedation.
Ataxia – Trazodone can cause temporary coordination issues in your dog.
Vomiting – Some dogs might vomit after taking the Trazodone dosage.
Diarrhea – Your dogs can also experience diarrhea as a side effect of Trazodone.
Panting – The side effects of trazodone also include increased panting in dogs.

If your dog faces side effects, you must wait for the symptoms to subdue and lower the next dose. In case the side effects are severe, consult the veterinarian for guidance.

What to do if you missed a Trazodone dose for a dog?

If you forget or miss the dose of trazodone, you must give the next dose as soon as possible. If the next dose time is near, you can skip the missed dose and give the next dose on time. Make sure you do not give a double dose of trazodone to your dog.

How much time does Trazodone take to work?

Trazodone starts showing effects after 30 minutes to 1 hour of consumption. The effects last from 3-12 hours. For treating long-term anxiety issues, veterinarians may recommend it for 2-4 weeks with regular doses to attain the desired result.

Conclusion

Trazodone for dogs is used for treating anxiety and phobias. The dogs who fear specific situations, such as separation, loud voices, etc. are treated with Trazodone. Its medicine is taken as tablets at least 90 minutes before any event that may trigger the anxiety. For example, if you are traveling and your dog has travel anxiety, give trazodone 90 minutes before your journey. Trazodone is a safe drug for dogs if given as per recommended dose.

FAQs

How long does trazodone take to show effect?

Trazodone takes 1-3 hours to show the desired effect on the dog. The effect lasts for 6-12 hours.

Is it safe to use Trazodone for dogs?

Yes, Trazodone is safe for dogs but make sure to follow the recommended dose. Overdose can cause severe side effects to the dog.

Is trazodone used for pain relief?

No, Trazodone is not a pain relief medicine. It is used only to treat anxiety and behavioral issues in dogs.

Can Trazodone for humans also be used for dogs?

No, Trazodone for humans can be very dangerous for dogs. You must only give the medicine prescribed by the veterinarian for your dog.

What is the Trazodone dosage for dogs?

The recommended trazodone dose for dogs is 11-15 mg per pound weight of your dog.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of Vets.