Can Dogs Take Melatonin?

Melatonin is a safe medication for humans as well as for dogs. It comes in different forms such as pills, drops, chewable tablets, and injectable implants. The best administration option for your dog is through the oral method, and Melatonin comes in multiple flavors to choose from. You can have your pet take it raw, or you can mix Melatonin with drinks or dog food. What is important is your pooch swallowed everything, so the positive effects of the substance happen.

WHAT IS MELATONIN?

Melatonin is an essential substance that is naturally produced in the body and plays a huge role in synchronizing nearly every process that is made inside the body. Melatonin acts as a sensor that is optimizing time in everything it does. Melatonin is an intrinsic clockwork and is commonly called as the circadian rhythm or the activities that happen in the body within 24 hours. Basically, Melatonin is the factor in the body which tells humans and dogs to sleep when the lights are dimmed and the surrounding is very quiet. It tells the body to wake up when sunlight is felt or sound is alive. Melatonin is a powerful substance that allows dogs to know that it’s mating and breeding time. Bottom line is, Melatonin keeps the internal cycle of the body working properly.

It is believed that giving dogs Melatonin in the day time will switch the awake cycle into sleep mode, which is greatly beneficial when dogs are suffering from anxiety, sleep disorder, and other factors related to overly active and anxious. With melatonin in the system, your dog can become passive and go into sleep mode, which leads to forgetting about what makes your pooch anxious or insomniac.

BENEFITS OF MELATONIN FOR DOGS

Melatonin is prescribed by vets to dogs because it is has many advantages that can highly benefit dogs.

Alleviate Anxiety

Melatonin has the power to calm your dog and provide a relaxing feeling to your furry friend. As a dog lover, you would surely hate to see your pet being anxious. Anxiety in your dog typically happens when you leave the house, or when they are in close proximity to loud noises like fireworks or maximum volume music. Of course, you need to house-train your dog to get keep their anxiety in check for all scenarios that can cause anxiety, but it would definitely help if you will give your canine companion Melatonin to settle its nerves. You can combine house training with Melatonin to spare your furry friend from the bouts of anxiety. You can also use Melatonin when you bring your dog to your travels, especially when your pet gets anxious inside your car.

Better Sleep

Just like humans, dogs need sleep. But since dogs are alert in nature, they can easily be woken up with a little noise, which leads to lack of sleep and fatigue. By giving your dog Melatonin, you are promoting a good sleep for your beloved pet. Melatonin is especially good for your dog if your pooch is an insomniac. Lack of sleep is depriving your dog the priceless chance to properly develop and grow, and in order to remedy this problem, you should give Melatonin to your pooch. And when your dog is sleeping well, your pooch can naturally produce important substances that are typically synthesized in times when your pooch is sleeping. With long hours of shut eye, you furry companion will fee energized and refreshed every day, which is highly beneficial for your dog’s good health, and for your peace of mind. Melatonin is helpful in this sleep issue because it has the capability to switch your dog’s natural body clock into sleep mode.

Hinders Patchy Hair Loss

A balding dog is not great t look at, unless of course if you happen to own a Chinese Crested dog breed. If your dog shows signs of balding, you need to take care of your pooch immediately, since hair loss is a sure sign of poor nutrition, which will reflect badly on you as a dog owner. Give your pooch Melatonin in order to hinder the seasonal hair loss, because although this time of balding will pass, it is not good to look at. You love your dog, and there is no doubt about that, but you will lose the opportunity to show off your pooch to the public if our pet is losing hair. It will not be good for your dog’s confidence, but most importantly, not good for your image.

Lowers the Severity of Cushing’s Disease

Not all dogs are prone to the Cushing’s disease, but to be on the safe side, you can give Melatonin to your favorite dog in order to reduce the risk of acquiring Cushing’s syndrome. But if your pet already has this disease, then Melatonin can definitely help in lowering the seriousness of the symptoms. Cushing’s disease commonly has symptoms in the forms of weight gain, insomnia, hypertension, fatigue, irritability, easy bruising, depression, impaired immunity, weak bones, and many more. With the consumption of Melatonin, your cherished dog will have a chance to live longer.

SIDE EFFECTS OF MELATONIN IN DOGS

Though Melatonin is helpful for your dog, it also has some side effects, like any other medication in the market. However, the side effects are not guaranteed to happen all at once, and it depends on your dog’s body defense system whether the side effects will occur or not. The most common side effects of Melatonin in dogs are the following:

• Fertility changes
• Gastric upset
• Stomach cramps
• Itching
• Confusion
• Allergic reaction
• Tachycardia
• Behavioral changes
• Sleepiness
• Headache
• Increased heart rate

CORRECT MELATONIN DOSAGE FOR DOGS

You need to consult your dog’s vet before you give Melatonin, so you will know the right dosage that will not bring harm to your dog. However, the typical Melatonin dosages are:

• 1 milligram – 10 pounds below
• 1.5 milligrams – 10 to 25 pounds
• 3 milligrams – between 26 and 100 pounds
• 3-6 milligrams – over 100 pounds