The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved trazodone to treat depression in humans. This means the FDA determined that trazodone is safe and effective when used for this purpose. Veterinarians now also recommend the medication to calm dogs before vet visits and examinations.
While the trazodone that humans take is the same medication as that given to dogs, there are differences in the way healthcare professionals prescribe it that you should consider.
Trazodone uses
Trazodone is a generic medication that belongs to a class of drugs called serotonin modulators. It increases the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a substance that helps regulate many functions in your body, including mood.
In people, trazodone has FDA approval to treat depression, but doctors also prescribe it to treat other conditions, such as:
Trazodone has a black-box warning from the FDA, which indicates that it has potentially dangerous side effects. Serious adverse effects of trazodone include suicidal thoughts and panic attacks. Trazodone is a prescription medication, and you should only take it as directed by a healthcare or mental health professional.
Trazodone’s use in dogs is a bit different. Veterinarians started to use trazodone off-label in dogs to deal with anxiety-related behaviors. Off-label medication use is common in veterinary medicine, and vets still need to follow strict laws and regulations to ensure its safety.
Events that cause stress in dogs can trigger anxiety behaviors, such as whining, barking, trembling, shedding, and panting. Possible triggers include vet visits, air travel, separation from their owners, and fireworks or thunderstorms.
Trazodone for dogs is usually safe and well-tolerated. Some 2016 research suggests that trazodone reduces stress behaviors in hospitalized dogs. A 2017 study also found that trazodone is effective in reducing behavioral stress and anxiety and is overall well-tolerated with few side effects.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day at 988.
- Text “HOME” to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
- Not in the U.S.? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency number if you feel it’s an emergency.
While you wait for help to arrive, stay with someone and remove any weapons or substances that can cause harm. You are not alone.
Key differences
Trazodone for dogs and humans is a generic prescription medication that doesn’t have a brand-name version.
Experts caution against giving medications prescribed for humans to dogs and medications prescribed for dogs to humans. This is due to the dosage differences and possible formulation differences.
Keep in mind that trazodone has a black-box warning from the FDA, which means it can lead to serious adverse effects. A healthcare professional will closely monitor your treatment.
Trazodone comes in tablet form in different strengths: 50 milligrams (mg), 100 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg. The dosage varies depending on the condition it’s prescribed to treat, your age, and other underlying health conditions you may have. People are usually prescribed a dosage of 150 mg per day in divided doses. The maximum dosage is 400 mg per day.
In dogs, the dosage varies depending on the weight of the dog, which varies according to its size and breed. The dosage for dogs is usually 1.7 to 19.5 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, divided into doses up to every 8 hours.
You can try wrapping the tablet or capsule in a soft food so your pup can take it down more easily.
Vets often prescribe trazodone in combination with gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, to ease anxiety and chronic pain in dogs. Another common combination is trazodone with tramadol.
However, some medications could cause serious side effects if taken together with trazodone. Always consult with your prescribing veterinarian to confirm it is safe for your dog to take trazodone.
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Trazodone alternatives
If your dog is allergic to trazodone or you’d prefer to use another medication to address anxiety symptoms in your dog, there are some alternatives. These include:
- benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam)
- clomipramine (Clomicalm)
- fluoxetine (Reconcile)
- gabapentin (Neurontin)
Make sure to talk with your dog’s vet about your options and which medication and treatments are best to relieve symptoms of stress and anxiety in your dog.
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