Before you give it: is trazodone the right fit?
Trazodone suits short-term and situational calming. A quick check first:
- It is a calming medication, not a cure for the underlying anxiety. Trazodone helps a pet through a stressful event or recovery period; for a long-standing anxiety disorder, your vet may pair it with a daily medication and behavior work.
- Expect sedation. Mild drowsiness and a little wobbliness are the common, intended effects; give the first dose at home, not right before you need your pet alert.
- Tell your vet about every other medication. Combining trazodone with other serotonergic drugs (including SSRIs) raises the risk of serotonin syndrome; your vet weighs this before prescribing.
- Mention a male breeding dog. Priapism (a rare, prolonged erection) has been reported; tell your vet so they can weigh it.
What trazodone for dogs and cats is
Trazodone is a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI)1 used in dogs and cats as a calming medication — most often for situational anxiety such as veterinary visits, travel, and noise events, and to help a pet tolerate the rest and confinement that follow surgery.2 It can be used as needed or on a regular schedule, and is often combined with behavior modification. Whether it is the right choice, and at what dose, is a decision for the prescribing veterinarian — based on your pet’s weight, species, other medications, and health history.
We are a licensed veterinary pharmacy. We dispense what the vet prescribes3 — we do not diagnose or set doses — and we will tell you plainly when trazodone is not the right fit for your pet.
| Active ingredient | Trazodone (hydrochloride) |
|---|---|
| Strength | 50, 100, and 150 mg |
| Also sold as | Desyrel (human brand) |
| Drug class | Serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibitor (SARI) |
| Form | Tablets |
| Intended use | Dogs and cats only |
| Availability | Prescription, not for human use |
| Delivery to | All 50 US states, contact us for other countries |
Trazodone dosing for dogs and cats: your vet sets it
Trazodone for dogs and cats is dosed by body weight and species and set by your prescribing veterinarian, and whether it is given as needed before an event or on a regular schedule is part of that plan. We do not set doses, and this page does not list one. The label on your order reflects your prescribing vet’s instructions — follow it exactly. Trazodone comes in 50, 100, and 150 mg.
Side effects to watch for
The most common effect is sedation, sometimes with mild wobbliness, panting, or stomach upset. Occasionally a pet becomes more agitated rather than calmer (a paradoxical reaction) — tell your vet if that happens. Combining trazodone with other serotonergic medications can cause serotonin syndrome, which is an emergency, so tell your vet about every other drug. In male breeding dogs, a rare prolonged erection (priapism) needs urgent care.
⚠ Important safety notes
- Prescription medication. A veterinarian decides whether it’s appropriate and sets the dose — we never set one.
- Expect sedation. Give the first dose at home where your pet can settle safely, not right before they need to be alert or active.
- Watch for drug interactions. Tell your vet about every other medication; combining trazodone with other serotonergic drugs risks serotonin syndrome.
- For dogs and cats only. Never give a pet a medication meant for a person or another animal; the wrong drug or dose can seriously harm your pet.
Cost & how to get it
There is no public cart or online payment step. You place a reservation, a veterinarian reviews it and writes the prescription if it’s appropriate, then our pharmacy sends a secure payment link before anything ships — so the veterinary review costs you nothing separate, and you pay only for the medication. If trazodone isn’t right for your pet, the order isn’t filled and you aren’t charged.
| Pack size | 50 mg | 100 mg | 150 mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 tablets MOST POPULAR | $29.99 · $1.00/tablet | $34.99 · $1.17/tablet | $39.99 · $1.33/tablet |
| 90 tablets | $69.99 · $0.78/tablet | $79.99 · $0.89/tablet | $89.99 · $1.00/tablet |
| 200 tablets | $119.99 · $0.60/tablet | $139.99 · $0.70/tablet | $159.99 · $0.80/tablet |
| 500 tablets BEST VALUE | $199.99 · $0.40/tablet | $239.99 · $0.48/tablet | $269.99 · $0.54/tablet |
The per-tablet cost drops at the larger pack sizes — your vet sets whether your pet needs it as-needed or daily, and how long.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription?
Yes — but you don’t have to arrange it yourself. A veterinarian reviews your order and prescribes it, then we dispense it legally. If it’s not right for your pet, the order isn’t filled and you aren’t charged.
What is trazodone used for in dogs and cats?
It is a calming medication for situational anxiety (vet visits, travel, storms) and to help a pet rest after surgery. It can be given as needed or regularly. Whether it fits your pet is the prescribing vet’s decision.
How quickly does trazodone work?
Given as needed, it usually takes effect within an hour or two, which is why it is often used before a known stressful event. Your vet will advise on timing.
Can trazodone be given with gabapentin?
Vets sometimes combine calming medications, but only a veterinarian should decide that, because of interaction and over-sedation risks. Tell your vet about every medication your pet takes.
What dose should I give?
We don’t provide dosing. The right dose depends on your pet’s weight, species, and what is being treated, and is set by the prescribing veterinarian. Follow the prescription exactly.
Medical disclaimer
This site is for informational purposes only and is not veterinary advice, diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. A licensed veterinarian should determine medication selection, prescribing, dosing, and treatment for the individual animal. Never give a dog or cat a medication intended for a person or another animal; the wrong drug or dose can seriously harm your pet. All medications sold on this site are for animal use only and are not intended for human use or consumption.
Sources & References
- Merck Veterinary Manual, “Behavioral Pharmacotherapy.” merckvetmanual.com (accessed 2026) Supports: trazodone is a serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibitor used in dogs and cats for situational anxiety and as a behavioral adjunct.
- Gruen ME, Sherman BL. “Use of trazodone as an adjunctive agent in the treatment of canine anxiety disorders: 56 cases (1995–2007).” J Am Vet Med Assoc 2008;233(12):1902–1907. doi:10.2460/javma.233.12.1902; PMID 19072608. doi.org (2008) Supports: trazodone was well tolerated and helped manage canine anxiety disorders, including situational and confinement-related anxiety.
- FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. Animal & Veterinary. fda.gov (accessed 2026) Supports: the prescription status of veterinary medications (trazodone is used extra-label in veterinary patients).
