Top 6 Sedatives and Tranquilizers for Dogs in the USA — 2025 Veterinarian-Approved Guide to Safer Premedication, Anxiety Relief and Anesthesia Support

Sileo stands out as the leading non‑injectable formulation, offering dexmedetomidine in an oromucosal gel optimized for situational anxiety (e.g., noise phobias) and at‑home use, which reduces the need for clinic visits and injections. Compared with injectable dexmedetomidine and medetomidine products, Sileo provides a technical and financial advantage for outpatient management by lowering chair time and enabling targeted dosing for episodic stress, albeit at a premium retail price. Its unique route of administration complements the injectable options on this list rather than replacing them.

Acepromazine Maleate Injection is the go-to sterile phenothiazine injectable for veterinary hospitals needing rapid, controllable sedation in dogs; its technical strength is the ability to administer precise IV/IM doses for acute procedures. Compared with oral tablets and solutions here, the injection commands a premium due to sterile manufacturing and clinic-focused utility, making it more expensive per unit but often more effective for in‑hospital use.

Ativan (lorazepam) is regarded as a reliable, pharma-grade choice for longer-lasting anxiolysis and in-hospital sedation for dogs, valued for consistent potency and predictable clinical effects. Although often more expensive than generic alternatives like APO products or TEVA generics, its brand presence and formulation stability make it a preferred option when clinicians prioritize consistency over cost compared with faster-acting midazolam or shorter-duration alprazolam.

Telazol (tiletamine-zolazepam) is a market leader for situations requiring deep chemical restraint — it produces rapid, profound immobilization which is especially useful for aggressive or fractious dogs where IV access is limited. Technically it outperforms simple tranquilizers like Atravet for immobilization but has downsides including heavier respiratory and cardiovascular depression and often longer, less smooth recoveries than Alfaxan or Dexdomitor, and is typically regulated as a controlled agent.

Sileo is the market-leading transmucosal dexmedetomidine gel designed specifically for rapid, situational sedation in dogs and stands out for its mucosal absorption and fast onset compared with oral tablet options. For the oral and transmucosal sedative use case it offers predictable, short-duration effects ideal for noise or situational anxiety, though it is typically priced higher than generic oral agents and is used more for acute events than chronic management.