{"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":"2026-06-18T16:54:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T20:54:47","slug":"gabapentin-and-trazodone-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/gabapentin-and-trazodone-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Can dogs take gabapentin and trazodone together?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Veterinarians prescribe <\/span>gabapentin<\/span><\/a> to dogs to treat seizures, pain, or anxiety, and they use <\/span>trazodone<\/span><\/a> as a sedative to calm fearful or anxious dogs. <\/span>Your veterinarian may prescribe gabapentin and trazodone together for dogs as a safe and effective way to help with both pain and anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Discount pet meds & resources<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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

The main uses for <\/span>trazodone<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>gabapentin<\/span><\/a> in dogs are the treatment of pain (chronic pain or acute 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, a 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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabapentin is a <\/span>seizure medication<\/span><\/a> that can be prescribed to <\/span>dogs to treat seizure disorders, nerve pain, or anxiety<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> \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 an <\/span>antidepressant<\/span><\/a> used mainly for its sedative and anti-anxiety effects, Dr. Glassman says. \u201cI describe it to owners as a fast-acting <\/span>Prozac<\/span> 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

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\n\t\t\t\t\tGabapentin 300 mg (90 Capsules)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$8.98\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Gabapentin prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n

Several studies show the effectiveness of each of these medications on its own. For example, a <\/span>2014 study<\/span><\/a> found that trazodone was effective at helping dogs remain calm and sedated while recovering from orthopedic surgery. Likewise, a <\/span>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 <\/span>trazodone and gabapentin <\/span>work together for dogs.<\/span> One promising 2025 <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> showed that a dose of trazodone and gabapentin prior to surgery reduced the amount of anesthetic gas medication needed to perform surgery.\u00a0<\/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, <\/span>multiple<\/span><\/a> studies<\/span><\/a> show<\/span><\/a> no significant adverse effects when using gabapentin and trazodone together in dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The other good news is that many veterinarians use <\/span>gabapentin and trazodone <\/span>in combination in dogs without safety concerns. \u201cIt is very safe for us to use gabapentin and trazodone together,\u201d Dr. Glassman says.\u00a0<\/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 and trazodone together in dogs,\u201d he assures, saying that doing so is a usual protocol among veterinarians. \u201cThese drugs are commonly used for the \u2018<\/span>Chill Protocol<\/span><\/a>\u2019 to help anxious dogs with veterinary or grooming visits,\u201d Dr. Alleyne shares.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tTrazodone 50 mg (30 Tablet)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$6.06\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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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