Short answer: Trazodone has an onset of 30-90 minutes oral and lasts 4-8 hours in most dogs. Peak sedation is 2-4 hours after dosing. Give 60-90 minutes before the expected stressor (vet visit, fireworks, thunderstorm) for best effect.
What you should actually do
- Onset: 30-90 min orally.
- Peak effect: 2-4 hours.
- Duration: 4-8 hours (longer in some dogs).
- Half-life in dogs: ~7-9 hours.
- Common dose: 2-7 mg/kg every 8-12 hours, max 14 mg/kg/day (Plumb’s).
Trazodone is well-tolerated short-term but can cause dose-related side effects: sedation, ataxia, decreased appetite, GI upset, paradoxical excitement (rare). It interacts with SSRIs (serotonin syndrome risk) and tramadol.
For dogs with chronic anxiety, daily trazodone is an option but daily SSRI (fluoxetine) usually provides better long-term control. Discuss with your vet.
Dig deeper
⚕️ Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace a hands-on veterinary examination. Drug doses depend on your dog’s complete clinical picture, concurrent medications, and the exact product formulation. Always confirm dosing with your veterinarian before administering any medication, and contact a 24-hour veterinary emergency service or animal poison control immediately if you suspect a medication overdose or adverse reaction. Editorial standards: every drug dose published on PuppaDogs is cross-checked against multiple authoritative veterinary references and reviewed by PuppaDogs Veterinary Editorial Team before publication.
