Common Drugs Used to Treat Behavior Problems in Dogs

Fluoxetine (SSRI)

1–2 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h^a,b,c,d

FDA approved for canine separation anxiety.

Extralabel indications include anxiety disorders, phobias, conflict aggression, fear aggression, compulsive disorders, excessive arousal, impulsivity, and urine marking.^b,d,e

Anorexia, hyporexia, lethargy, sedation, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, vocalization, agitation, tremors, seizures, changes in urine frequency. Aggression has also been reported.

In humans, hyponatremia, changes in glucose, bleeding, and hepatotoxicosis have been reported.

Paroxetine (SSRI)

1–2 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h^b,d,e

Anxiety disorders, phobias, conflict aggression, fear aggression, compulsive disorders, excessive arousal, impulsivity, and urine marking.^b,d,e

Extralabel.

Lethargy, salivation, hyporexia, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, irritability, aggression, insomnia, hyponatremia, mydriasis, hyperactivity or panting, constipation, urinary retention, cardiac arrhythmias. Less likely than fluoxetine to cause anorexia.

In humans, abnormal bleeding and hepatotoxicosis have been reported.

Sertraline (SSRI)

0.5–4 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h^b,c,d,e

Anxiety disorders, phobias, conflict aggression, fear aggression, compulsive disorders, excessive arousal, impulsivity, and urine marking.^b,d,e

Extralabel.

Anorexia, hyporexia, sedation, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in urine frequency, excitement, anxiety, agitation, seizures.

In humans, abnormal bleeding and hepatotoxicosis have been reported.

Clomipramine (TCA)

Label dose: 2–4 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h, or 1–2 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h

Extralabel dose: 1–4 mg/kg, PO, q 12–24 h^e,f

FDA approved for canine separation anxiety.

Extralabel indications include anxiety disorders, phobias, conflict aggression, fear aggression, compulsive disorders, excessive arousal, impulsivity, and urine marking.^b,d,e

Anorexia, hyporexia, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, sedation, lethargy, depression, decreased total thyroxine and free thyroxine in euthyroid dogs, mydriasis, changes in liver enzymes, seizures.^b,e

Buspirone (azapirone)

0.5–2 mg/kg, PO, q 8–12 h^c,e

Anxiety and fearfulness.^b,c,d,e

Extralabel.

Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, agitation, behavioral disinhibition, bradycardia, stereotypical behaviors.^d,e

Trazodone (serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor)

2–7.5 mg/kg, PO, q 8–24 h as needed, up to 19.5 mg/kg in any 24-h period^e,g

Anxiety disorders, fear aggression, compulsive disorders, sedation/anxiolysis for veterinary care, postsurgical confinement.^d,e,g,h,i

Extralabel.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sedation, ataxia, agitation, restlessness, increased anxiety, aggression, tachycardia. Hepatotoxicosis and priapism have also been reported.^d,e

Clonidine (alpha-2-adrenergic agonist)

0.01–0.05 mg/kg, PO, q 8 h as needed, or q 8–12 h when administered regularly^c,d,e

Anxiety, fear, phobias, panic, neuropathic pain.^d,e

Extralabel.

Sedation, hypotension, nausea, dry mouth, ataxia, sleep disturbances, excitement, urinary incontinence, bradycardia, hypotension, collapse.

Dexmedetomidine oral gel (alpha-2-adrenergic agonist)

125 mcg/m² (not mg/kg), oral transmucosal, q 2 h as needed for maximum 5 doses during one noise event^j

FDA approved for canine noise aversion.

Extralabel indications include other fear, anxiety (eg, fear of car rides, fear of veterinary care).^d,j

Sedation, vomiting, gastroenteritis, drowsiness, inappropriate urination.^j,k

Gabapentin (gabapentinoid, or alpha-2-delta ligand)

5–30 mg/kg, PO, q 8 h when administered regularly, or 20–50 mg/kg, PO, 90 minutes before stressor as needed^c,d,e

Anxiety, fear, neuropathic pain, seizures.^d,e

Extralabel.

Sedation, ataxia, vomiting, diarrhea, increased appetite, agitation, excitement.

Alprazolam (benzodiazepine)

0.02–0.1 mg/kg, PO,q 6 h as needed^b,e

Anxiety, fear, phobias, seizures.^d,e

Extralabel.

Sedation, increased appetite, ataxia, muscle relaxation, anxiety, paradoxical excitation. Aggression has also been reported.

Diazepam (benzodiazepine)

0.5–2 mg/kg, PO, q 8 h as needed^d,e

Anxiety, fear, phobias, seizures, appetite stimulant, muscle relaxant.^d,e

Extralabel.

Sedation, increased appetite, ataxia, muscle relaxation, anxiety, paradoxical excitation. Aggression has also been reported.