Logo RexVet

Dosage Guide • FL · NY · VA • Reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM

Trazodone Dosage for a 50 lb Dog

trazodone · Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI) · Medium breed (50 lb / 22.7 kg)

What pet owners in Florida, New York, and Virginia need to know about Trazodone dosing for a 50 lb (Border Collies-sized) dog — written by a licensed vet, no specific dose given without an exam.

Important: This page does not provide a specific dose for your dog. The right dose depends on your dog's age, weight, kidney and liver function, current medications, and the condition being treated — and requires a veterinary examination.

The dosing principle for Trazodone

Trazodone in dogs is typically dosed at approximately 2-10 mg/kg per dose, given 1-3 times daily as needed for situational anxiety, or daily for chronic anxiety. The wide range exists because individual dog response varies significantly — vets often start low and titrate up.

Trazodone has a wide therapeutic window but individual dogs vary in their response. Some dogs are highly sensitive and need only the low end of the range; others need higher doses for any noticeable effect. Vets often do a 'test dose' a week before a stressful event (storm, vet visit) to find the right dose. Dosing also adjusts for liver function and concurrent medications.

Why 50 lb matters

A 50 lb (22.7 kg) dog falls into the medium category — typical examples include Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, English Bulldogs, and many mixed breeds.

Medium-sized dogs are the largest single dosing group and benefit from a relatively well-studied dose range across most common medications. The main caveat is that breed (e.g., Border Collies and the MDR1 gene mutation) can dramatically affect drug safety — always test if you have a herding breed.

What Trazodone is approved for

  • Situational anxiety (vet visits, thunderstorms, fireworks)
  • Post-surgical confinement calming
  • Travel anxiety
  • Generalized anxiety (often paired with daily SSRI or TCA)

What to watch for in your 50 lb dog

  • Excessive sedation — the goal is calm, not unconscious
  • Wobbliness, especially first dose
  • Paradoxical agitation (rare but report immediately)
  • Vomiting (uncommon)
  • Serotonin syndrome if combined with other serotonin-affecting drugs (SSRIs, MAOIs, certain pain meds) — never combine without vet guidance

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

How much Trazodone can I give my 50 lb dog?

Trazodone in dogs is typically dosed at approximately 2-10 mg/kg per dose, given 1-3 times daily as needed for situational anxiety, or daily for chronic anxiety. The wide range exists because individual dog response varies significantly — vets often start low and titrate up. For a 50 lb (22.7 kg) dog, this gives a range that a licensed vet will narrow down based on the indication, your dog's age, kidney/liver function, and any other medications.

Is Trazodone safe for a medium dog like mine?

Trazodone (trazodone) is widely used in dogs in the 50 lb range, but "safe" depends on the specific dog, not just the weight. Medium-sized dogs are the largest single dosing group and benefit from a relatively well-studied dose range across most common medications. The main caveat is that breed (e.g., Border Collies and the MDR1 gene mutation) can dramatically affect drug safety — always test if you have a herding breed. A licensed vet will check your dog's history, current medications, and any underlying conditions before prescribing.

What should I watch for after giving my 50 lb dog Trazodone?

The most common things to watch for are: Excessive sedation — the goal is calm, not unconscious; Wobbliness, especially first dose; Paradoxical agitation (rare but report immediately). If you see anything concerning, contact a vet. For medium dogs specifically: Medium-sized dogs are the largest single dosing group and benefit from a relatively well-studied dose range across most common medications.

Can a RexVet online vet prescribe Trazodone for my 50 lb dog?

Not after a video visit alone. Trazodone is a human-labeled drug, so a veterinarian needs to examine your pet in person before prescribing it.

Sources

Last fact-checked: 2026-06-01. Reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM. RexVet (Rex Vets Inc.) is licensed in Florida, New York, and Virginia.

Questions about Trazodone for your 50 lb dog?

Licensed RexVet veterinarians serving Florida, New York, and Virginia. $64.99 video visits, no membership required.