Trazodone for Dogs: Published Dosing Ranges by Indication
Trazodone dosing in dogs varies widely by why it's being given - this page lists published ranges by indication for reference. It is not a calculator: trazodone is prescription-only, and the exact dose for your dog must come from the prescribing veterinarian.
| Indication | Published range | Schedule | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine/situational anxiety | 2.8-16.5 mg/kg | every 8-24h | Wide published range - depends heavily on the specific dog and protocol. |
| Pre-vet-visit stress | 8-10 mg/kg | the night before, then again ~2h before the visit | A two-dose protocol, not a standing daily dose. |
| Post-operative sedation / activity restriction | ~7 mg/kg | every 12h | Commonly used after orthopedic surgery, sometimes alongside tramadol. |
| Pre-operative, with an opioid | 5-7 mg/kg | ~2h before surgery | Given as part of a multimodal pre-op protocol, not alone. |
Sourced from published veterinary behavior literature (e.g. Hunthausen 2019) and post-operative pain/sedation protocol reviews. Ranges are illustrative of what's been published, not a recommendation for any specific dog.
Trazodone is prescription-only.
Don't dose your dog from this table. The right dose depends on your dog's weight, the reason it's being given, their health history, and any other medications they're on - only your vet has that full picture. This page exists so you understand the published range, not to replace the prescription itself.
For trained veterinary professionals. Check every result against current drug labels, your formulary, and the patient before acting on it. This tool is not veterinary advice. Clinical disclaimer
How to use this tool
Why there's no calculator here
Every other dosing tool on this site is weight-based because the dose genuinely only depends on weight. Trazodone doesn't work that way - published doses span roughly 2.8 to 16.5 mg/kg depending on the indication, and the same dog could reasonably receive very different doses for routine anxiety versus post-surgical sedation. A weight-only calculator would imply a precision that doesn't reflect how this drug is actually prescribed.
Drug interactions
Trazodone should never be combined with SSRIs, MAOIs, or other serotonergic/sedative drugs without veterinary guidance, due to serotonin syndrome risk. Always disclose every medication your dog is on to the prescribing vet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the trazodone dose for dogs?
There is no single dose - published ranges span roughly 2.8-16.5 mg/kg depending on why it's being given (veterinary behavior literature, e.g. Hunthausen 2019). Situational anxiety and pre-visit stress protocols commonly use 5-10 mg/kg; post-operative sedation/activity-restriction protocols commonly use around 7 mg/kg every 12 hours. None of this replaces your vet's actual prescription.
Is trazodone safe to give my dog without a prescription?
No - trazodone is prescription-only. The right dose depends heavily on the specific indication, your dog's health history, and any other medications they're on. It should never be combined with SSRIs, MAOIs, or other serotonergic/sedative drugs without veterinary guidance, due to serotonin syndrome risk.
Why is this a reference page instead of a calculator?
Because the right dose depends on indication, not just weight - a routine-anxiety dose and a post-orthopedic-surgery dose for the same dog can differ several-fold. A weight-only calculator would imply a precision that doesn't reflect how this drug is actually prescribed.