As a dog owner, you might have wondered whether you can slip melatonin supplements to help your pet sleep and relax. While the evidence on the effectiveness and usage of melatonin in dogs is limited, there is some encouraging news about assisting dogs to achieve rest.
What is melatonin, and why is it important?
It is a naturally occurring hormone in our body, and it’s essential for many processes going on inside ourselves. For example, we produce melatonin in our brains at night that signals to our bodies that it’s time for sleep. Therefore, it is essential to have a regular circadian rhythm and keep our bodies and minds healthy.
Melatonin also helps to relieve anxiety and relaxes the body. Synthetic melatonin is available as a pill or chewable tablet, as well as teas and tinctures. It’s generally inexpensive and a first step in treating insomnia and other sleep-related problems.
What does melatonin do to dogs?
Melatonin appears to have a relaxing effect on both humans and dogs. Melatonin was given to healthy dogs preparing for surgery in the research. Those who were calm before the operation needed less initial anesthesia than those who were not.
Melatonin provides several benefits for canines and is a natural sleep aid. According to another research, dogs who received melatonin had less initial anesthesia than dogs who did not receive it. In addition, dogs given melatonin after castration in further research were better able to control hormone levels that are often out of balance following castration.
Is melatonin safe to give to your dog?
Melatonin is a safe medication to give your pet. It has minimal potential for negative side effects. The most prevalent adverse effect is lethargy, which you may expect the following day after giving it to your dog.
However, be sure that you’re buying melatonin free of extra fillers or coatings that might be hazardous to your dog’s health. Still, you should consult any supplements with your veterinarian.
Uses of melatonin for dogs
As melatonin is safe for dogs, it has a variety of usage. You can give your dog melatonin supplements in the following cases:
- As a sedative to calm dogs who suffer from different types of anxiety, such as separation anxiety or noise anxiety caused by fireworks, thunderstorms, etc.
- To reduce phobias or panic, some dogs have been entirely cured of their fear of loud noises using this supplement.
- For dogs who are hyperactive or those with epilepsy, or certain types of alopecia.
- To help them sleep at night, especially those over the age of nine. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction is a disease in dogs that resembles Alzheimer’s in humans and makes it difficult for them to sleep.
- To reduce restlessness and help your dog sleep, its effects usually last for about eight hours.
When is it ok to give your dog melatonin?
If you’re giving your pet melatonin for dogs to help them relax before bed or decrease anxiety before medical treatment, provide the proper dosage two hours before bedtime or the appointment. The time it takes for melatonin to be absorbed into your dog’s system is essential since this period marks the maximum effectiveness of the drug.
The proper melatonin dosage for dogs with sleeping problems is 3 to 6 milligrams. According to Plumb’s Handbook, 0.1 milligrams of melatonin per kilogram of body weight may be used if your dog has anxiety disorders.
Your dog’s age, breed, and size should be considered when determining the correct dosage for them. If you’re not sure what amount to give your dog based on their age, breed, and any other health concerns or medicines they may be taking, consulting with your veterinarian is the best course of action.
If your dog’s veterinarian recommends giving him or her melatonin, be sure you get the right amount. You may simply weigh and administer the appropriate dosage of supplement based on your veterinarian’s instructions, thanks to preweighed options.
Conclusion
Canines typically require the exact dosage of this sleep-inducing supplement as humans. Still, they should always consult with their veterinarian before use. As a result, it’s only safe to give your pet melatonin after consulting with them first. If you’re considering giving your dog this medication for anxiety or other disorders related to sleeping problems, be sure they are over nine years old and that you know how much is appropriate based on weight and breed size.