If your dog is anxious all the time or avoids certain events out of fear, then you must be looking for a treatment. If you have done some research before then you must have come across a lot of owners who give their dogs melatonin in order to relieve anxiety. So can you give dogs melatonin? Melatonin is a natural supplement that is used around the world to help dogs calm down. But still, a lot of people get skeptical before using it.
The thing with dogs is that they are highly sensitive towards loud noises and situations that can induce a little bit of fear in them. This can result in a lot of issues like anxiety and phobia. Situations like a vet visit or a visit to the groomer or something as common as taking your dog out for long travels can make your dog anxious. In such cases, melatonin is your drug.
Melatonin can actually do wonders in changing their behavior towards such events and make them more receptive and calm. So, if you want to know about melatonin and its effects on your dog, then this guide is for you. This guide will probably answer all your questions regarding the usage of melatonin on dogs.
Melatonin for Dogs:
Uses:
Melatonin being a sedative works as an amazing supplement against anxiety issues in dogs. It helps in calming your dog’s nerves. The best part of melatonin is that it is perfectly safe for your dog. Since melatonin is the substance which occurs from pineal glands, it is considered as natural.
This is the reason why a lot of pet owners go for this drug. Moreover, the usage of drugs has not yet shown any serious side-effects on the body of dogs which makes it a lot safer from other drugs available in the market.
It can be used to control hyperactivity in dogs and also help them overcome or face certain types of fears. Also, if your dog has trouble sleeping, then you can give melatonin in order to help your dog with that. The results of this supplement are pretty good too.
Once you give this to your dog, the results will last longer. All you have to do is to maintain a proper dosage. But before starting any medication, it is important to consult a vet to ensure if your dog is ready for melatonin or not.
Dosage:
As we mentioned before, it is important to maintain a proper dosage. Since the anatomy of all dogs is different, so the dosage also differs. Also, if one dog has a problem, then it does not mean that another dog has that problem too. That’s why it becomes important to consult a vet before starting dosage. But still you can do it your way by following specific set instructions given below:
- If your dog’s weight is less than 10 lbs then the dosage should be 1 mg
- If your dog’s weight is between 10 lbs and 25 lbs, the dosage should not exceed 1.5 mg
- If your dog’s weight is between 26 lbs and 100 lbs, the dosage should be 3 mg
- If the weight is above 100 lbs, the dosage should be between 3 mg and 6 mg.
Side-effects:
Melatonin is considered as a safe supplement because of its great results, but still, there are some side-effects that as a dog owner you should know of. The side-effects of melatonin are not very severe but still, they shouldn’t be neglected. The common side-effects of melatonin are given below.
- Itching
- Upset stomach
- Tachycardia
- Fertility changes
Where does melatonin come from?
Melatonin is basically a hormone which comes from the pineal gland of the animals. It is secreted and synthesized from the glands. This is the reason why it is a natural supplement. Melatonin is primarily responsible for a lot of physiological processes governed by circadian rhythm. It works successfully as a defense against all the oxidative stress that their body suffers from.
This is the reason why melatonin is considered as the best stress relieving supplement for dogs because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. So, if you want your dog to be calm and less anxious then you should definitely go for melatonin.
Benefits of melatonin
Melatonin is a supplement that can provide our pet with loads of benefits putting aside the side-effects. It actually does great things to your dog’s body and changes the way it looks at certain situations. The benefits of giving your dog melatonin are as follows:
- Relief from stress and anxiety
The most common issue that dogs suffer from is anxiety. A small event can cause huge stress among dogs like a thunderstorm, a pet visit, the sound of fireworks etc. No matter how much you know your pet, there are certain situations where you can’t read your pet’s thoughts or deal with their personality change.
Melatonin helps in redefining their personality by making them calm. It works great against their anxiety and helps them calm down. So, if a vet visit or general outing make your dog stressed then melatonin can really help.
- Cushing Disease
Even though Cushing disease is not a very common thing among dogs, but still it exists. Surprisingly, melatonin can help those dogs suffering from the disease. It helps in reducing its severity and helps in getting rid of symptoms of depression, weight gain etc.
- Insomnia
Insomnia is another thing that affects most of the dogs around the world. And it’s not only common in dogs but it is common in humans do. But fortunately, we have supplements for us that we can use to calm down and have a good night’s sleep.
The supplements available for dogs to help them sleep are generally chemical based and show severe side-effects when used in a heavy amount or not as per the prescribed dosage. That’s where melatonin steps in. Melatonin helps those dogs who suffer from insomnia. This way your dog can sleep better and avoid any sickness.
FAQs
How long does it take for melatonin to work on a dog?
Melatonin is a fast acting supplement and starts showing its effects as early as within 15 minutes of intake. The highest effects of the supplements can be seen after 45 minutes of intake. This can help your dog in a lot of different ways. If you want to take your pet to the vet and your pet generally gets anxious before going there, you can give your pet melatonin to help it calm down.
Can I give my dog Benadryl and melatonin at the same time?
Melatonin is a supplement which makes your dog sleep and Benadryl shows similar effects too. It might be unsafe for humans to consume them together, but that’s not the case with dogs. If you are thinking of giving Benadryl and melatonin together to your dog, then you just have to take care of the dosage. Ask your vet before starting the medication to know the right dosage.
My dog ate 10 mg melatonin, what to do?
If your dog consumes a large amount of melatonin tries to keep it off the supplement for some time. Melatonin makes your dog lazy and sometimes dizzy. 10 mg of melatonin will not do any severe harm, but to be sure, take it to the vet.
Can my dog die from melatonin?
No, melatonin won’t certainly kill your dog. Out of all anxiety relief supplements, melatonin is considered as the safest and the choice of many pet owners and vets around the world.
Can I use melatonin for dogs skin?
Yes, melatonin is a great supplement for your dog’s skin. You can give it to your dog if it is shedding hair or having patches on the skin. But beware of the side-effects as it is known for triggering itching in dogs.
Can in use 10 mg melatonin for a dog?
No, you should not. As we have mentioned above, melatonin should be given according to the size of the dog. Dosage largely depends on your dog’s needs.
What about melatonin dog aggression reduction?
Melatonin can reduce aggression in your dog at great extents. It reduces hyperactivity and calms down your dog. Your dog won’t have time to be angry if it is sleeping.
Is dog melatonin overdose a thing?
Yes, melatonin overdose is a thing, but it is not very harmful. An overdose of melatonin can make your pet sleepy. So, try to maintain a prescribed amount of dosage.
Conclusion
Melatonin is a widely accepted supplement which can help with a variety of dog issues. So, if you is suffering from anxiety and stress, then valium diazepam can be used without a thought. There are a lot of melatonin supplements available online. They are over-the-counter supplements so you won’t have a hard time getting them. You can find them on websites like Amazon where there are a variety of different supplements available. Make sure you always consult a vet before starting any medication.