{"id":628614,"date":"2024-06-17T09:46:55","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T13:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628614"},"modified":"2026-04-17T18:49:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T22:49:46","slug":"gabapentin-and-trazodone-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/gabapentin-and-trazodone-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Can gabapentin and trazodone be used together for dogs?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gabapentin<\/span><\/a> is a drug used in humans to treat seizures and is<\/span> prescribed off-label to dogs for pain management<\/span><\/a>, as well as anxiety. <\/span>Trazodon<\/span><\/a>e is an anti-depressant used in humans to treat depression and<\/span> has a sedating effect on dogs<\/span><\/a>. If you have a dog who\u2019s experiencing pain, anxiety, or a combination of the two, you might be wondering if you can use gabapentin and trazodone for dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes. Gabapentin and trazodone together for dogs is a safe and effective way to help with both pain and anxiety. \u201cThese medications can work synergistically to manage both pain and anxiety, providing a more comprehensive approach to treatment,\u201d says Sabrina Kong, DVM, veterinarian at<\/span> WeLoveDoodles<\/span><\/a>. \u201cHowever, as with any medication regimen, it\u2019s essential to closely monitor your dog for any adverse effects.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What are gabapentin and trazodone used for in dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The main uses for <\/span>gabapentin<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>trazodone<\/span><\/a> in dogs are the treatment of pain (chronic pain or acute pain) and anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabapentin is a seizure medication that can be prescribed to dogs as a pain medication. \u201cIt is also used by many vets (including me) for post-operative, more acute pain,\u201d says <\/span>Mathieu Glassman, MBA, VMD, DACVS, veterinary surgeon and founder and CEO of<\/span> Dr. Cuddles<\/span><\/a>. \u201c<\/span>Some will also use it as a sedative.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, trazodone is used mainly for its sedative and anti-anxiety effects, Dr. Glassman says. \u201cI describe it to owners as a fast-acting <\/span>Prozac<\/span><\/a> for their pet,\u201d he says. \u201cIt is useful for treating anxiety-related conditions in dogs, such as separation anxiety, or for calming dogs during stressful situations like veterinary visits or thunderstorms.\u201d It\u2019s also often used after surgery to reduce a pet\u2019s activity level so that they can rest and recover after the surgery, he adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Several studies show the effectiveness of each of these medications on their own. For example,<\/span> a 2014 study<\/span><\/a> found that trazodone was effective at helping dogs remain calm and sedated while recovering from orthopedic surgery. Likewise,<\/span> a 2022 study<\/span><\/a> found that the use of gabapentin significantly decreased signs of stress in dogs, as compared to a placebo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, there aren\u2019t many studies that look at how gabapentin and trazodone work together for dogs. One promising<\/span> 2022 study<\/span><\/a> published in the <\/span>American Journal of Veterinary Research<\/span><\/i> looked primarily at electroretinographic (ERG) responses in dogs. They found that when dogs were given a combination of trazodone and gabapentin, significant decreases in ERG wave amplitudes were found. Of note, the authors suggest that gabapentin and trazodone are effective ways to treat anxiety in dogs before performing ERGs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is it safe to use gabapentin and trazodone together for dogs?<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

The safety of gabapentin and trazodone together for dogs hasn\u2019t been studied extensively. However, another assuring take-home message of the<\/span> 2022 study<\/span><\/a> from the <\/span>American Journal of Veterinary Research<\/span><\/i> study was that using <\/span>gabapentin and trazodone together had no adverse effects on the dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The other good news is that many veterinarians use gabapentin and trazodone in combination in dogs without safety concerns. \u201cIt is very safe for us to use gabapentin and trazodone together,\u201d says Dr. Glassman.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dwight Alleyne, DVM, a veterinarian at<\/span> Betterpet<\/span><\/a>, shares a similar sentiment. \u201cYes, it is safe to use both gabapentin trazodone together in dogs,\u201d he assures, saying that doing so is a usual protocol among veterinarians. \u201cThese drugs are commonly used for the \u2018Chill Protocol\u2019 to help anxious dogs with veterinary or grooming visits,\u201d Dr. Alleyne shares.<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects of gabapentin and trazodone in dogs<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

According to Dr. Kong, common trazodone and gabapentin for dogs side effects include:<\/span><\/p>\n