Trazodone typically starts to work in dogs within about 30 minutes to two hours after oral administration, depending on the individual dog. For short- term relief of anxiety or stress, effects are usually noticed within this timeframe. However, when used for long-term management of anxiety, it can take about two to three weeks of regular dosing to reach maximal effectiveness. The duration of trazodone's effects in dogs is generally between 4 and 12 hours, with some variability depending on the dog's metabolism and health status. The medication usually wears off completely within 24 hours from administration. Dogs with liver or kidney issues may experience a longer duration of the drug's effects due to slower clearance. In summary:
- Onset of action: 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Duration of effect: 4 to 12 hours
- Full therapeutic effect for anxiety management: 2 to 3 weeks of daily use
This information is supported by veterinary sources and clinical reports on trazodone use in dogs.
