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.
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
Talk to a RexVet vet in your state
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Learn more about Trazodone
Trazodone — Full Drug Guide
Uses, side effects, drug interactions, and how it compares to alternatives.
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.
Trazodone dosing for other dog weights
Other medications dosed for a 50 lb dog
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.
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