Dog Health
Xanax for Dogs: What It Treats, Dosage, and Side Effects
Xanax (alprazolam) is a medication that can relieve anxiety in dogs, especially anxiety related to events like fireworks or veterinary visits.
Xanax is usually given to dogs in pill form. Your veterinarian will determine the correct dosage for your dog.
Drowsiness is the most common effect of Xanax, which is usually the desired result.
Like humans, dogs feel scared or anxious sometimes. Xanax (alprazolam) is a medication that can help with these fears. But it’s important to be informed about Xanax if your dog is taking it or if you’re thinking about giving it to them. Read on to learn what to expect if your dog is prescribed Xanax.
Common names | Xanax (alprazolam) |
What it treats | Anxiety, panic, and fear, especially related to events like fireworks and travel |
How it comes (forms) | Tablet, oral liquid |
Dosage | Depends on a dog’s weight |
Common side effects | Drowsiness, increased appetite, temporary difficulty with balance |
Average cost |
Xanax, a brand-name form of alprazolam, is a type of benzodiazepine medication that can have a calming effect on dogs.
Xanax works by causing a depression of the central nervous system. This leads to reduced anxiety, sedation, and muscle relaxation. It also has some mild anticonvulsant (anti-seizure) effects. Xanax produces these effects by binding to certain receptors in the body, especially in the brain.
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Xanax is a Schedule 4 controlled substance. This means it’s subject to more strict regulations than many other medications. So there are restrictions on how your veterinarian can prescribe and refill Xanax for your dog.
Xanax is FDA approved to treat people, but it is not FDA approved for pets. Veterinarians can still prescribe Xanax to pets off-label. Prescribing medications off-label is common in veterinary medicine.
Xanax is usually prescribed to dogs as a short-term medication for sedation or reducing anxiety.
Your dog may be prescribed Xanax for:
Managing panic, fear, or aggression related to a specific situation
Reducing anxiety during car or plane travel
Reducing anxiety during veterinary exams and short procedures (like nail trims)
Reducing anxiety during a triggering event, such as fireworks or thunderstorms
Managing anxiety while starting treatment with a long-term medication
A starting Xanax dosage for your dog will be determined by your veterinarian based on your dog’s body weight. In general, your dog should not take more than 4 mg of Xanax in a 24-hour period. Xanax comes in tablet form and as a liquid solution. The tablets are more common.
Is it anxiety? Dogs with anxiety may show different signs. Review the full list here if you’re worried about your pup.
Pica in dogs: Some dogs develop a habit of consuming items that aren’t supposed to be eaten — like socks, toys, or dirt. This condition, called pica, can be caused by anxiety.
Trazodone for anxiety: Trazodone is another medication prescribed to dogs with situational fears.
Your veterinarian may prescribe Xanax to your dog on an as-needed basis to help reduce their fear in certain situations. To help with a predictable, triggering event — like a vet visit, fireworks, or travel — give your dog Xanax at least 30 to 60 minutes before it begins.
Your veterinarian may also prescribe Xanax to your dog on an ongoing basis. When it’s taken daily, the medication is typically given every 6 to 12 hours. Reasons your vet may prescribe daily Xanax for your dog include:
Your dog is starting treatment with a long-term medication that hasn’t taken full effect.
Your dog is being exposed to a prolonged stressful event, such as a house renovation, nearby construction, or a long period of behavioral training.
Your vet thinks Xanax is the best long-term medication for your dog.
Xanax may be given to dogs with or without food. If your dog develops stomach upset or vomiting after taking Xanax on an empty stomach, give them the medication with a small treat or a meal.
If your dog misses a single dose of Xanax, it is usually better to skip the missed dose and wait until their next dose. When taken daily, the medication is typically given every 6 to 12 hours. But if you are uncertain about when to give your dog their next dose, it is best to ask your veterinarian.
Dogs taking Xanax long term may develop a physical dependence. This has been studied much more in people than in dogs. But if your dog is stopping treatment after taking Xanax daily, their dosage should be decreased slowly over several weeks. Don’t stop giving the medication abruptly.
The most common side effect of Xanax in dogs is sedation. This is often a desired effect when it’s prescribed to calm a dog’s anxiety. Other potential side effects include increased appetite, difficulty with balance, and trouble walking, which are temporary.
The side effects of Xanax often depend on how much a dog takes, with more side effects likely to occur at higher dosages.
The class of medication that Xanax belongs to can cause temporary memory loss. Keep this in mind if the medication is being used to help change undesirable behaviors. It could affect your dog’s ability to learn and be trained.
In rare cases, medications used for anxiety and sedation can have the opposite effect. Instead of being calmed, a dog may show signs of:
Excitement
Irritation
Restlessness
Serious side effects may occur if a dog takes too much Xanax. These can include:
Difficulty with balance and trouble walking
Hyperactivity or agitation
Severe lethargy and sedation
Respiratory depression
Low blood pressure
If you believe your dog has taken too much Xanax or may be experiencing serious side effects, contact a veterinarian or a pet poison hotline for help.
Xanax can potentially interact with several other medications and supplements for dogs, including:
Antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium
Antifungals like fluconazole and ketoconazole
Antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and hydroxyzine
Behavioral medications, like fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, and tricyclic antidepressants
Breathing medications, like theophylline and aminophylline
Cimetidine
Glaucoma medications like dorzolamide and methazolamide
Heart medications like amiodarone, diltiazem, and digoxin
Ifosfamide, a chemotherapy medication
Maropitant (Cerenia)
Medications for high blood pressure
Mitotane
Opioids, like tramadol and hydrocodone
Parasite preventives, like ivermectin, selamectin (Revolution), and milbemycin oxime (Interceptor)
This does not mean Xanax cannot be taken with these medications. But this should be done cautiously and under veterinary direction. Make sure your veterinarian is aware of all the medications and supplements that your dog takes if Xanax is prescribed.
It’s hard to say whether trazodone or alprazolam (Xanax) will be better for your dog. Both medications are used to manage situational anxiety in dogs. And both medications have benefits and potential risks. Ask your veterinarian which might be better for your dog. They’ll be able to provide the best guidance based on your dog’s health history.
Your veterinarian may prefer for your dog to try trazodone instead. Trazodone is not a controlled substance in the U.S. Xanax — a type of benzodiazepine — is a Schedule 4 controlled substance because of its potential for dependence.
The best medication depends on what’s causing your dog’s anxiety, especially because there are many types of medications that can treat canine anxiety. Ask your veterinarian for advice.
If your dog’s severe anxiety is caused by certain situations — such as fireworks or going to the vet — the best medication may be a short-acting one like Xanax. These medications are typically used only before a specific event.
On the other hand, if your dog has ongoing anxiety, a longer-term medication, such as an antidepressant like fluoxetine (Prozac), may be best. These medications are given every day to help manage anxiety.
To help calm your dog naturally, you can try the following:
ThunderShirts or anxiety wraps
Pheromone diffusers, collars, or bedding sprays
Extra exercise
Music
There are also some supplements that may help lower your dog’s anxiety. These include:
L-theanine
Alpha-lactalbumin
Melatonin
Tryptophan
Keep in mind that supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA. The amount of an active ingredient can vary widely depending on the brand of supplement you buy. It’s also best to look for products specifically for dogs. Human supplements may be made with ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
It’s hard to say whether trazodone or alprazolam (Xanax) will be better for your dog. Both medications are used to manage situational anxiety in dogs. And both medications have benefits and potential risks. Ask your veterinarian which might be better for your dog. They’ll be able to provide the best guidance based on your dog’s health history.
Your veterinarian may prefer for your dog to try trazodone instead. Trazodone is not a controlled substance in the U.S. Xanax — a type of benzodiazepine — is a Schedule 4 controlled substance because of its potential for dependence.
The best medication depends on what’s causing your dog’s anxiety, especially because there are many types of medications that can treat canine anxiety. Ask your veterinarian for advice.
If your dog’s severe anxiety is caused by certain situations — such as fireworks or going to the vet — the best medication may be a short-acting one like Xanax. These medications are typically used only before a specific event.
On the other hand, if your dog has ongoing anxiety, a longer-term medication, such as an antidepressant like fluoxetine (Prozac), may be best. These medications are given every day to help manage anxiety.
To help calm your dog naturally, you can try the following:
ThunderShirts or anxiety wraps
Pheromone diffusers, collars, or bedding sprays
Extra exercise
Music
There are also some supplements that may help lower your dog’s anxiety. These include:
L-theanine
Alpha-lactalbumin
Melatonin
Tryptophan
Keep in mind that supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA. The amount of an active ingredient can vary widely depending on the brand of supplement you buy. It’s also best to look for products specifically for dogs. Human supplements may be made with ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
Xanax (alprazolam) is commonly prescribed to dogs to help with fear, especially specific fears, and anxiety. It is usually given to dogs on a temporary or short-term basis. Negative side effects in dogs are uncommon with most Xanax dosages.
See how your dog responds to taking Xanax before giving it to them in advance of a triggering event. Their dosage may need to be adjusted for the desired degree of sedation or behavioral change.
It’s possible for dogs to experience excitement, restlessness, and aggression as a side effect of Xanax, but this is uncommon. For those who do experience these side effects, this class of medication may not be suitable.
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