Dog Sedatives: How and When to Use Them Safely

Sedatives for dogs are most often for the safety of the patient, pet parents, and the veterinary professionals.  

Sedatives can be given by mouth, by injection, or even a compounded cream applied and absorbed by the skin. 

Dog sedatives for grooming and medical procedures are very common as well as travel and to help with anxiety and/or stress.  

Unfortunately, there are no safe over the counter sedatives for dogs, all sedatives should be prescribed by your veterinarian.  

What Are Dog Sedatives Used For?

Dog sedatives are used for a wide variety of both behavioral and medical reasons.  

They can be used as part of the diagnostic process to help your dog relax or part of a treatment plan to maintain good behavior.  

Here are the most common reasons to use a sedative in dogs: 

• Medical procedures such as X-rays, ultrasound, or minor biopsies 

• Ease fear and anxiety for vet visits 

• Grooming such as nail trims or extensive hair cuts 

• Travel  

• Managing acute pain 

• Decrease anxiety and stress for example during moving, fireworks, or thunderstorms 

• Reduce aggression  

• Facilitate comfort and ease of recovering from anesthesia/surgery 

Signs of Anxiety in Dogs

If your dog is suffering from anxiety, you may notice the following symptoms: 

• Tense muscles 

• Trembling 

• Panting 

• Attempts to escape the situation, which may lead to destructive behavior 

• Urination, defecation, release of the anal glands inside the home 

• Crouching or cowering close to the ground or trying to hide in a “safe” location 

• Widened eyes 

• Drawn back ears 

What To Do About Anxiety in Dogs

So, what can you do about dog anxiety?  

Let’s look at some of the most common ways you can help your pet. 

Behavioral Modification 

Behavioral modification is the best way to treat anxiety in dogs.  

Behavior modification involves teaching dogs to remain calm when they are exposed to mild versions of their triggers, rewarding them with a high-value dog treat and praise, and gradually increasing the intensity of their exposure as long as they remain calm. 

Over-the-Counter Solutions

Many over-the-counter options are available for mild anxiety, including: 

• Nutritional supplements like L-theanine, melatonin, or s-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e) 

• Synthetic pheromone preparations (dog pheromone) 

• A dog anxiety vest, to provide reassuring pressure 

Prescription Anti-Anxiety Medication

For moderate to severe anxiety in dogs, veterinarians will recommend prescription anti-anxiety medications.  

These may include:  

• Alprazolam 

• Amitriptyline 

• Buspirone 

• Clomipramine 

• Dexmedetomidine 

• Diazepam 

• Fluoxetine 

• Lorazepam 

• Paroxetine 

• Sertraline 

• Trazodone 

Dog Sedatives

What can be done for a hyperactive dog who needs to take it easy after surgery or a dog with a history of aggression who needs X-rays, for example?  

This is when a sedative might be a good idea. 

Types of Dog Sedatives

There are several types of sedatives for dogs. Let’s look at the most common ones a vet may recommend.   

Oral Dog Sedatives 

When pet parents need to give sedatives to their dogs at home, the options are limited to oral medications in liquid, chewable, tablet, or capsule form.  

These medications can usually be hidden in a small piece of food for ease of administration and to avoid a bitter taste.  

Sedatives given at home can be used on a regular basis to help with behavioral disorders or anxiety.  

They can also be given on an as needed basis such as a thunderstorm, fireworks or a big family gathering that causes your pup too much anxiety. Sedatives are also given to help with fear and aggression in dogs before they go to the vet or grooming for the safety of all involved, including themselves.  

Common oral sedatives for dogs include: 

• Trazodone 

• Gabapentin 

• Acepromazine 

• Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam and diazepam 

• SSRIs, such as fluoxetine and sertraline   

• Dexmedetomidine oral gel 

• Clonidine 

Injectable Dog Sedatives 

Injectable sedation is almost always given at your vet’s office.  

It can be given by itself or after an oral sedative has been given at home.  

Some sedatives have other functions such as pain control and others can even be reversed to avoid prolonged periods of sedation for minor procedures. Depending on your dog’s age and health status there are a variety of different sedatives your vet might choose including: 

• Dexmedetomidine 

• Acepromazine 

• Disassociatives, such as ketamine and telazol 

• Benzodiazepines such as diazepam 

• Zenalpha 

• Opioids, such as butorphanol and hydromorphone