Prestudy and poststudy physical examinations and laboratory evaluations showed no adverse effects attributable to trazodone. Medication was given in food 90 minutes before planned examination. Sedation was assessed based on activity measured by activity observations and by accelerometers. The mean latency-to-peak-sedation value for trazodone (100-mg) occurred at 2 hours. There was a significant decrease in observed activity with the 100-mg trazodone dose compared to placebo. However, scores for behavioral response (eg, vocalization, struggling, aggression, hypersalivation, immobility response, open-mouth breathing) to examination did not differ between treatments and placebo, perhaps because of premature timing of examinations. Further study is needed before oral trazodone use in cats can be recommended.