Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Trazodone is dosed at 2–5 mg/kg PO q8-12h as needed in dogs, per Neilson J. Drug therapy for behavioral problems. Presented at: Western Veterinary Conference; 2010. PMID: 40252524 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1295 (2026-08-01).. Trazodone is used in dogs for Event-based anxiety, post-surgical confinement. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Trazodone in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Desyrel
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 2–5 mg/kg | q8-12h as needed | Event-based or short-term | Event-based anxiety, post-surgical confinement | Strong | Neilson J. Drug therapy for behavioral problems. Presented at: Western Veterinary Conference; 2010. PMID: 40252524 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1295 (2026-08-01). |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Antagonizes 5-HT2A receptors and inhibits serotonin reuptake. Produces sedation and anxiolysis at lower doses than antidepressant effect.
Commonly used for event-based anxiety and post-surgical confinement in dogs. Sedation is primary effect. Serotonin syndrome risk with other serotonergic drugs. Priapism reported (rare). GI upset.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Trazodone dose range in dogs, with cited source references: PO 2–5 mg/kg q8-12h as needed. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Trazodone in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Trazodone in dogs include: Event-based or short-term. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Trazodone is indicated in dogs for: Event-based anxiety, post-surgical confinement.
These are general warnings for Trazodone across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Commonly used for event-based anxiety and post-surgical confinement in dogs. Sedation is primary effect. Serotonin syndrome risk with other serotonergic drugs. Priapism reported (rare). GI upset.
Why a species-specific page? Trazodone pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.