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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Adjunctive anxiolytic (vet visits, separation anxiety, storms/noise phobia, travel); post-surgical activity restriction/calming
DogExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Adjunctive anxiolytic (vet visits, separation anxiety, storms/noise phobia, travel); post-surgical activity restriction/calming — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Situational sedation (e.g., transport/handling anxiety)
CatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Situational sedation (e.g., transport/handling anxiety) — Extra-label
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens6
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
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Adverse effects172
Sedation (dose-related, not always undesired) — Most common
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Vomiting/gagging, ↑excitement, ↑appetite, colitis (rare) — Uncommon; ~80% of dogs in one study had no adverse effects
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Aggression, tachycardia — More likely if given IV — do not give IV to dogs
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
No significant adverse effects at 100 mg/cat in controlled study — —
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Sedation
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Table 1 (p.630), row: Trazodone, Adverse Effects column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
- Cat · Table 1 (p.630), row: Trazodone, Adverse Effects column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting331 reports
- Diarrhoea198 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)149 reports
- Decreased appetite118 reports
- Death by euthanasia111 reports
- Not eating110 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')109 reports
- Seizure NOS106 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS98 reports
- Panting93 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)88 reports
- Weight loss80 reports
Cat
- Ataxia4 reports
- Constricted pupils3 reports
- Vomiting3 reports
- Delayed healing2 reports
- Diarrhoea2 reports
- Falling2 reports
- Head tilt - neurological disorder (see also Head tilt - ear disorder)2 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)2 reports
- Walking difficulty2 reports
- Wobbliness2 reports
- Abnormal radiograph finding1 reports
- Abrasion1 reports
Monitoring1
Clinical efficacy/sedation level; no specific lab monitoring required
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications3
Hypersensitivity; concurrent MAO inhibitors
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
MAOIs
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Table 1 (p.630), row: Trazodone, Contraindications column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
- Cat · Table 1 (p.630), row: Trazodone, Contraindications column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
Precautions4
Severe cardiac disease, hepatic/renal impairment; do not administer IV to dogs
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Faster onset than SSRIs/TCAs — useful as an as-needed/situational anxiolytic given ~1h before a known trigger event, unlike daily-dosed agents that need weeks to reach effect.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Often combined with a daily serotonergic drug (SSRI/TCA) plus benzodiazepine for layered anxiety management — but stack serotonergic combinations cautiously given cumulative serotonin syndrome risk.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Give with food to improve tolerability and reduce peak-level variability.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions5
SSRIs (fluoxetine), TCAs (clomipramine), tramadol, MAO inhibitors (selegiline) — ↑ serotonin syndrome risk — use with caution
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Azole antifungals (ketoconazole, fluconazole), macrolides (erythromycin) — ↑ trazodone blood levels (CYP inhibition)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Digoxin — Trazodone may ↑ digoxin levels
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
NSAIDs, aspirin — ↑ GI bleeding risk
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metoclopramide — ↑ serotonin syndrome risk
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics4
Bioavailability — 85% oral (dog)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Protein binding — ~90–95% (human data)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — 2.8h (Papich, dog); ~7h (Plumb's, human-extrapolated)
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic, extensive, via CYP3A4 → active metabolite mCPP → CYP2D6
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Appears relatively safe in pregnancy at normal doses; high-dose (15–50×) rodent/rabbit studies showed some ↑fetal death/congenital abnormalities. Human FDA category C. Minimal milk excretion expected — weigh risk/benefit.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1139–1140; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 804–806 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references15
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Cenobamate and Trazodone Combination Suppresses Seizures, EEG Alterations, Preserves Neuronal Architecture and Normalizes the BDNF/TrkB Expression in PTZ‑Kindled Mice.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Pharmacokinetics and behavioural effects of a single oral dose of trazodone in rabbits.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Effect of trazodone on heart rate, heart rate variability, and QT-intervals in dogs.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Skin perfusion decreases after dexmedetomidine administration in dogs but remains stable for up to 60 minutes under general anesthesia.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Cardiopulmonary effects of oral trazodone administration prior to isoflurane anesthesia in healthy horses.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Appendix: Drug Dosage Chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629-632.; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.