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Top 5 Beta Blockers for Dogs in Canada (2025) — Veterinarian‑Backed Guide to Atenolol, Propranolol & Sotalol

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

Beta adrenergic blockers reduce heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand and are prescribed for arrhythmias and to help manage hypertension in dogs. This category focuses on prescription beta blockers commonly used in Canadian veterinary practice, emphasizing products that balance efficacy, safety, availability and dosing flexibility. Pet owners and clinicians prefer these medications because they are familiar generics, often affordable, and supported by veterinary cardiology experience. In the Canadian market, choices are shaped by provincial prescribing regulations, brand and generic availability, and the need for individualized dosing and monitoring by a veterinarian.

Quick Menu

1. Best Low-Dose Atenolol (Canine)

2. Best Standard-Dose Atenolol (Canine)

3. Best Low-Dose Propranolol (Canine)

4. Best Standard Propranolol (Canine)

5. Best Sotalol (Canine) - Market Leader

1
BEST LOW-DOSE ATENOLOL (CANINE)

Atenolol 25mg Tablets

Atenolol 25mg Tablets

Atenolol 25mg holds a best-in-class position for small-breed dogs because its lower tablet strength enables precise, titratable dosing for chronic management of hypertension and some cardiomyopathies. As a beta-1 selective agent it tends to have less bronchial and central nervous system penetration than non-selective propranolol products, and it is often more cost-effective per milligram for long-term therapy compared with higher-strength tablets that require splitting. Compared with sotalol, it lacks Class III antiarrhythmic effects but offers a simpler safety profile that can reduce monitoring costs in suitable patients.

4.4
★★★★☆
  • Slows heart rate

  • Low-dose precision

  • Slows heart rate

  • Low-dose precision

Review Summary

87%

"Owners generally report atenolol 25mg reliably lowers heart rate and improves symptoms in small dogs with minimal side effects; a few users mention mild lethargy or reduced appetite but praise its affordability and ease of dosing."

  • Pup-friendly portion

  • Selective beta-1 blocker commonly used for canine hypertension and some arrhythmias.

  • Pup-friendly portion

  • Selective beta-1 blocker commonly used for canine hypertension and some arrhythmias.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Atenolol 25mg holds a best-in-class position for small-breed dogs because its lower tablet strength enables precise, titratable dosing for chronic management of hypertension and some cardiomyopathies. As a beta-1 selective agent it tends to have less bronchial and central nervous system penetration than non-selective propranolol products, and it is often more cost-effective per milligram for long-term therapy compared with higher-strength tablets that require splitting. Compared with sotalol, it lacks Class III antiarrhythmic effects but offers a simpler safety profile that can reduce monitoring costs in suitable patients.

  • Slows heart rate

  • Low-dose precision

  • Pup-friendly portion

  • Selective beta-1 blocker commonly used for canine hypertension and some arrhythmias.

  • Low-dose tablet ideal for small dogs where dose titration is needed.

  • Slows heart rate

  • Low-dose precision

  • Pup-friendly portion

  • Selective beta-1 blocker commonly used for canine hypertension and some arrhythmias.

  • Low-dose tablet ideal for small dogs where dose titration is needed.

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$10-30 CAD

2
BEST STANDARD-DOSE ATENOLOL (CANINE)

Atenolol 50mg Tablets

Atenolol 50mg Tablets

Atenolol 50mg is positioned as the market leader for medium-to-large dogs where fewer tablets per dose improves compliance and lowers dispensing costs, offering a competitive price-per-tablet advantage over multiple low-strength tablets. It preserves the beta-1 selectivity benefits of atenolol—reduced bronchial side effects versus propranolol—while trading some dosing flexibility for simpler administration. Compared with sotalol, it remains a more economical option when antiarrhythmic Class III action is not required, though it may necessitate tablet division in smaller patients.

4.2
★★★★☆
  • Stronger dose control

  • Longer steady effect

  • Stronger dose control

  • Longer steady effect

Review Summary

84%

"Atenolol 50mg receives similar feedback for larger dogs — effective at controlling cardiac signs and tolerated well overall, though some reviewers note tablet size and occasional mild lethargy as drawbacks."

  • Handles big pups

  • Provides a higher-strength option for medium to large dogs with cardiac conditions.

  • Handles big pups

  • Provides a higher-strength option for medium to large dogs with cardiac conditions.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Atenolol 50mg is positioned as the market leader for medium-to-large dogs where fewer tablets per dose improves compliance and lowers dispensing costs, offering a competitive price-per-tablet advantage over multiple low-strength tablets. It preserves the beta-1 selectivity benefits of atenolol—reduced bronchial side effects versus propranolol—while trading some dosing flexibility for simpler administration. Compared with sotalol, it remains a more economical option when antiarrhythmic Class III action is not required, though it may necessitate tablet division in smaller patients.

  • Stronger dose control

  • Longer steady effect

  • Handles big pups

  • Provides a higher-strength option for medium to large dogs with cardiac conditions.

  • Selective beta-1 activity helps reduce cardiac workload with fewer respiratory side effects.

  • Stronger dose control

  • Longer steady effect

  • Handles big pups

  • Provides a higher-strength option for medium to large dogs with cardiac conditions.

  • Selective beta-1 activity helps reduce cardiac workload with fewer respiratory side effects.

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$15-40 CAD

3
BEST LOW-DOSE PROPRANOLOL (CANINE)

Propranolol 10mg Tablets

Propranolol 10mg Tablets
🏠 Local Product

Propranolol 10mg is a commonly used small-dose, non-selective beta blocker favored when clinicians require both peripheral and central beta blockade in small dogs, and its low strength facilitates fine dosing adjustments. Its higher lipophilicity relative to atenolol provides different therapeutic effects in some arrhythmic or stress-related indications, though this can also increase the potential for central side effects and monitoring needs. Financially it is typically low-cost per tablet, making it a practical choice for short-term or adjunctive therapy compared with the more specialized and expensive sotalol.

3.7
★★★☆☆
  • Calms adrenaline spikes

  • Small tablet size

  • Calms adrenaline spikes

  • Small tablet size

Review Summary

72%

"Propranolol 10mg is reported effective for certain arrhythmias and situational anxiety, but more users describe gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, or variable responses compared with selective beta blockers."

  • Great for noise storms

  • Non-selective beta blocker used for arrhythmias and some cardiac-related anxiety in dogs.

  • Great for noise storms

  • Non-selective beta blocker used for arrhythmias and some cardiac-related anxiety in dogs.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Propranolol 10mg is a commonly used small-dose, non-selective beta blocker favored when clinicians require both peripheral and central beta blockade in small dogs, and its low strength facilitates fine dosing adjustments. Its higher lipophilicity relative to atenolol provides different therapeutic effects in some arrhythmic or stress-related indications, though this can also increase the potential for central side effects and monitoring needs. Financially it is typically low-cost per tablet, making it a practical choice for short-term or adjunctive therapy compared with the more specialized and expensive sotalol.

  • Calms adrenaline spikes

  • Small tablet size

  • Great for noise storms

  • Non-selective beta blocker used for arrhythmias and some cardiac-related anxiety in dogs.

  • Lower dose tablet suitable for fine titration in small breeds or when central nervous system penetration is desired.

  • Calms adrenaline spikes

  • Small tablet size

  • Great for noise storms

  • Non-selective beta blocker used for arrhythmias and some cardiac-related anxiety in dogs.

  • Lower dose tablet suitable for fine titration in small breeds or when central nervous system penetration is desired.

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$8-25 CAD

4
BEST STANDARD PROPRANOLOL (CANINE)

Propranolol 40mg Tablets

Propranolol 40mg Tablets

Propranolol 40mg targets larger patients or high-dose protocols where tablet economy and reduced pill burden are priorities, offering a lower cost-per-dose for clinics treating large-breed dogs. As a non-selective beta blocker it shares the broader physiological effects of propranolol 10mg but with less dosing granularity, which can make it less suitable for small or dose-sensitive patients compared with atenolol 25mg. While generally less expensive than sotalol, it lacks sotalol’s Class III antiarrhythmic capability and therefore is chosen when broad beta blockade rather than rhythm-specific therapy is desired.

3.6
★★★☆☆
  • Robust anxiety control

  • Versatile dosing option

  • Robust anxiety control

  • Versatile dosing option

Review Summary

70%

"Propranolol 40mg gives comparable efficacy for larger dogs but carries the same higher rate of side effects and mixed responses; reviewers often note the need for close monitoring and dose adjustments."

  • Road-trip ready

  • Higher-strength non-selective beta blocker for medium to large dogs with arrhythmias.

  • Road-trip ready

  • Higher-strength non-selective beta blocker for medium to large dogs with arrhythmias.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Propranolol 40mg targets larger patients or high-dose protocols where tablet economy and reduced pill burden are priorities, offering a lower cost-per-dose for clinics treating large-breed dogs. As a non-selective beta blocker it shares the broader physiological effects of propranolol 10mg but with less dosing granularity, which can make it less suitable for small or dose-sensitive patients compared with atenolol 25mg. While generally less expensive than sotalol, it lacks sotalol’s Class III antiarrhythmic capability and therefore is chosen when broad beta blockade rather than rhythm-specific therapy is desired.

  • Robust anxiety control

  • Versatile dosing option

  • Road-trip ready

  • Higher-strength non-selective beta blocker for medium to large dogs with arrhythmias.

  • Effective for systemic beta blockade but may affect airways and glucose regulation.

  • Robust anxiety control

  • Versatile dosing option

  • Road-trip ready

  • Higher-strength non-selective beta blocker for medium to large dogs with arrhythmias.

  • Effective for systemic beta blockade but may affect airways and glucose regulation.

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$12-35 CAD

5
BEST SOTALOL (CANINE) - MARKET LEADER

Sotalol 80mg Tablets

Sotalol 80mg Tablets

Sotalol 80mg is the market leader for canine ventricular arrhythmia management because it combines non-selective beta blockade with Class III potassium-channel blockade, providing rhythm-control advantages that atenolol and propranolol do not. This dual mechanism carries higher monitoring requirements (ECG and renal assessment) and generally higher cost, but it can be clinically and economically justified for dogs with life‑threatening or refractory arrhythmias where fewer hospital interventions offset drug expense. Compared with the atenolol and propranolol options, sotalol is the technical choice when antiarrhythmic potency is the primary therapeutic goal rather than simple rate control or long-term hypertension management.

4.1
★★★★☆
  • Anti-arrhythmic power

  • Dual beta-blocking

  • Anti-arrhythmic power

  • Dual beta-blocking

Review Summary

78%

"Sotalol 80mg is frequently praised for strong antiarrhythmic effects in dogs and noticeable clinical improvement, though many owners mention higher cost, need for ECG/monitoring, and occasional adverse effects."

  • Guard dog mode

  • Class III antiarrhythmic with non-selective beta-blocking properties, commonly used for ventricular arrhythmias in dogs.

  • Guard dog mode

  • Class III antiarrhythmic with non-selective beta-blocking properties, commonly used for ventricular arrhythmias in dogs.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Sotalol 80mg is the market leader for canine ventricular arrhythmia management because it combines non-selective beta blockade with Class III potassium-channel blockade, providing rhythm-control advantages that atenolol and propranolol do not. This dual mechanism carries higher monitoring requirements (ECG and renal assessment) and generally higher cost, but it can be clinically and economically justified for dogs with life‑threatening or refractory arrhythmias where fewer hospital interventions offset drug expense. Compared with the atenolol and propranolol options, sotalol is the technical choice when antiarrhythmic potency is the primary therapeutic goal rather than simple rate control or long-term hypertension management.

  • Anti-arrhythmic power

  • Dual beta-blocking

  • Guard dog mode

  • Class III antiarrhythmic with non-selective beta-blocking properties, commonly used for ventricular arrhythmias in dogs.

  • Requires ECG monitoring and dose adjustments because of proarrhythmic risk and renal excretion.

  • Anti-arrhythmic power

  • Dual beta-blocking

  • Guard dog mode

  • Class III antiarrhythmic with non-selective beta-blocking properties, commonly used for ventricular arrhythmias in dogs.

  • Requires ECG monitoring and dose adjustments because of proarrhythmic risk and renal excretion.

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$40-120 CAD

What the Research and Veterinary Guidance Say

Veterinary cardiology literature and consensus guidance provide the foundation for using beta blockers in dogs. Studies and clinical experience show that beta blockers can reduce heart rate, stabilize certain tachyarrhythmias and reduce myocardial oxygen demand. Choice of agent is influenced by cardiac condition, comorbidities, and drug properties such as cardioselectivity, half life and additional antiarrhythmic actions. Canadian veterinarians commonly rely on peer-reviewed veterinary journals, ACVIM guidance, and regional clinical experience when selecting and titrating therapy.

Atenolol is relatively cardioselective and is often chosen for rate control in supraventricular arrhythmias and for dogs where a predictable, once- or twice-daily dosing profile is desirable.

Propranolol is nonselective and lipophilic, which can make it useful for catecholamine-mediated arrhythmias but requires careful titration because it crosses the blood brain barrier and has variable half life.

Sotalol combines beta blockade with class III potassium channel effects, providing both rate control and antiarrhythmic properties that can be advantageous for certain ventricular arrhythmias under specialist supervision.

Clinical studies and retrospective case series in veterinary journals report beneficial effects on heart rate and arrhythmia burden, but emphasize that dosing must be individualized and that monitoring (ECG, blood pressure, renal function) is critical.

Guidance consistently notes that renal function, concurrent medications, and the specific cardiac diagnosis determine agent selection and dosing frequency; veterinarians tailor therapy to each patient.

In the Canadian context, these five prescription options — Atenolol 25mg Tablets, Atenolol 50mg Tablets, Propranolol 10mg Tablets, Propranolol 40mg Tablets, and Sotalol 80mg Tablets — represent the practical choices most commonly considered by veterinarians in 2025. For many patients, Atenolol 25mg Tablets are often a good initial choice because the dose size and cardioselective profile allow careful, flexible titration under veterinary supervision; however, the best option for an individual dog depends on its diagnosis and monitoring plan. We hope you found what you were looking for — you can refine or expand your search by condition, dosage strength, or by consulting your veterinarian for a tailored treatment plan.

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