Prescription Anxiety and Behavioural Disorder Tablets for Pets Product Description Trazodone HCl 50mg Tablets are a prescription serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor that veterinarians use to manage anxiety and behavioural disorders in dogs, cats, and horses. It works by adjusting serotonin activity in the brain in a way that brings anxiety levels down and promotes a calmer state without putting the pet to sleep. The 50mg tablet is the smallest available strength, making it well suited for cats and small dogs needing the lowest effective doses. It covers situational anxiety, post-surgical confinement support, and chronic behavioural conditions when used alongside behaviour modification. Benefits Situational Anxiety Relief: Reduces fear and anxiety responses to thunderstorms, fireworks, car travel, veterinary visits, and other predictable stressors in dogs and cats. Post-Surgical Confinement Support: Increasingly prescribed to help dogs and cats comply with strict activity restriction following orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries. Separation Anxiety Management: Used alongside behavioural modification plans to reduce the intensity of distress in dogs dealing with separation anxiety. Equine Behavioural Support: Used off-label in horses to facilitate stall rest and manage behavioural issues during rehabilitation and recovery periods. Combination Therapy Compatible: Can be used safely alongside other behavioural medications as part of a multi-drug anxiety management plan under veterinary guidance. Ingredients Active Ingredients Trazodone Hydrochloride 50mg How to Use Trazodone HCl 50mg Tablets are a prescription-only medication. A valid veterinarian prescription is required to purchase this product. Please follow your veterinarian's specific instructions for the dosage and administration of this medication for your pet. Disclaimer: Dosage and administration of this medication must be determined by a licensed veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian before administering or adjusting any prescription medication for your pet. Tucking it inside a soft pill pocket or wrapping it in a pill wrap treat is one of the easiest ways to make the whole process stress-free. Shop Pill Pockets for Dogs | Shop Pill Pockets for Cats Additional Information Precautions Avoid With MAOIs: Never give within at least 14 days of selegiline, amitraz-containing flea collars, or any monoamine oxidase inhibitor due to serious interaction risk. Serotonin Syndrome Risk: Combining with SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, tramadol, or other serotonergic drugs without veterinary oversight carries a real risk of life-threatening serotonin syndrome. Caution in Heart Disease: Use carefully in pets with cardiovascular disease, as trazodone can occasionally trigger arrhythmias and shifts in blood pressure. Caution in Kidney and Liver Disease: Pets with renal or hepatic impairment need careful management, as reduced organ function affects how the drug is cleared and raises side effect risk. Caution in Glaucoma: Avoid or use with extreme caution in pets with glaucoma, as trazodone may worsen elevated intraocular pressure in affected animals. Avoid in Pregnancy: Safety in pregnant, lactating, or breeding animals has not been established; use only under direct veterinary guidance in these cases. Check for Drug Interactions: Before starting treatment, make sure your vet knows if your pet is on pain medications, anticonvulsants, or any CNS depressants. Possible Side Effects Sedation and Drowsiness: Mild to moderate drowsiness is the most commonly reported effect and is often the desired calming outcome in anxious pets. Vomiting and Digestive Upset: Nausea and vomiting may occur and tend to ease when the tablet is given alongside a small amount of food. Incoordination and Wobbliness: Mild unsteadiness and an uncertain gait may be noticed at higher doses or in more sensitive individuals. Serotonin Syndrome Signs: Vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, seizures, elevated temperature, and a racing heart rate signal a serious emergency requiring immediate veterinary care. Priapism in Male Dogs: Male dogs may rarely develop a sustained, painful erection unrelated to arousal that does not resolve without prompt emergency veterinary care. Storage Information Room Temperature Storage: Store tablets in a tightly closed container away from heat and humidity, keeping conditions stable and consistent between doses. Protect from Light and Moisture: A dark, dry storage location away from direct sunlight is the best way to keep these tablets at their full strength. Keep Out of Reach: Always store this medication somewhere secure and out of reach of children and untreated pets. Note: For generic medications, the product image shown may not reflect the actual item received. Generic medications can vary in size, color, and shape between orders depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, your medication may arrive packaged in a HardyPaw Pharmacy vial. Shipping & Return We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details. For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy. Prescription items are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE. Frequently Asked Questions Q1: What conditions does trazodone treat in dogs and cats? Ans: Trazodone is used for situational anxiety in dogs and cats covering things like thunderstorms, fireworks, vet visits, and travel. It also supports post-surgical recovery by helping pets stay calm during activity restriction, and is used for separation anxiety and chronic behavioural conditions alongside a broader behaviour modification plan. Your vet will confirm whether it suits your pet. Q2: Is trazodone safe for long-term use in dogs with chronic anxiety? Ans: Trazodone is used in dogs for both short-term situational anxiety and longer-term behavioural management when needed. For ongoing use, your vet will monitor for any side effects and assess whether the medication continues to be the right fit as part of a broader behavioural plan. Regular check-ins help ensure the approach stays appropriate for your dog over time. Q3: Can trazodone be used after orthopedic surgery to keep pets calm? Ans: Trazodone is one of the more commonly prescribed options for helping dogs stay settled during the recovery period after orthopedic procedures. The weeks following surgery are critical, and a pet that pushes too hard too soon can undo the repair. Trazodone helps take the edge off without the cardiovascular concerns that come with some other sedatives, making it a practical choice for post-surgical management. Q4: What is priapism and why is it a concern with trazodone in male dogs? Ans: Priapism refers to a prolonged, painful erection that is not connected to sexual arousal and does not resolve on its own. It shows up rarely in male dogs on trazodone but is taken seriously when it does. Getting veterinary help quickly matters, because the longer it goes unaddressed, the greater the risk of lasting damage to the tissue involved. Q5: How far in advance should trazodone be given before a stressful event in dogs and cats? Ans: Trazodone needs time to be absorbed and reach its full effect, so your vet will advise on giving it well ahead of a known stressor like a vet visit or fireworks. For less predictable situations like thunderstorms, your vet may suggest giving it at the first signs of an approaching storm rather than waiting until your pet is already unsettled.
