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My dog is on Trazadone for anxiety. How do I safely taper him off?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 17 lbs

I got a ny dog from petco. They had him on trazadone for anxiety in the kennel with ither pets. They told me to wean him and go to my vet to do it. I took him to my vet and he won't wean him since he did not order the drug. Pkease tell me how to taper trazadone for my pet

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Elizabeth

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on December 1st, 2017

Congratulations on your new dog Casey! I would recommend to double check with the rescue that the Trazadone is just for the stress of the kennel and not for general anxiety in every day life. Some dogs only struggle with anxiety while they are at the shelter/rescue, while others dogs deal with anxiety all the time. To wean him down, decrease the dosage by half every 2 weeks. So if you are giving him 1 pill twice a day, do 1/2 pill twice a day, then 1/2 pill once a day, then 1/2 pill every other day. Then stop completely. Watch Casey for any signs of increased anxiety as there could have been an underlying reason he was placed on this medication. If you see behavioral issues/anxiety, I would not reduce the Trazadone further and I would make an appointment with the vet to discuss anxiety and options to manage it. I hope this helps!
Vote Icon15Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    I will explain in general terms below how one might wean their dog off of trazadone. If for example trazadone was given for a dog around 20lbs at 50mg tablets.
    The dose might be 1 tablet every 12 hours.
    To wean off, the dose would be reduced to half a tablet for 3 days. Then no tablets.

    I would advise calling the veterinarian at Petco who prescribed the trazadone, as they would be able to discuss their preferred weaning plan given that they know Casey, and what dosage and duration of the drug he was on.

    Vote Icon

    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    How a dog is weaned off of trazadone will depend on why it was prescribed, the dose used and how long the the dog was on the medication. So though I can offer a general example, there are many approaches depending on the above scenarios. The vet at petco should be very happy to advise.

    Vote Icon

    0Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    My sincerest apologies my answer below sent beogre I was finished typing. Please disregard and use the following information which I have rewritten for clarity;


    I will explain in general terms below how one might wean their dog off of trazadone. If for example trazadone was given for a dog around 20lbs at 50mg tablets.

    The dose might be 1 tablet every 12 hours.
    To wean off, the dose would be reduced to half a tablet for 3 weeks. This process would be continued of reducing the dose every few weeks while monitoring for any adverse affects. Then no tablets as long as Casey was adjusting well.

    I would advise calling the veterinarian at Petco who prescribed the trazadone, as they would be able to discuss their preferred weaning plan given that they know Casey, and what dosage and duration of the drug he was on.

    How a dog is weaned off of trazadone will depend on why it was prescribed, the dose used and how long the the dog was on the medication. So though I can offer a general example, there are many approaches depending on the above scenarios. The vet at petco should be very happy to advise

    Vote Icon

    3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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