Wild Earth pet owners are united in their commitment to their canine’s health through their desire to learn as much as possible about the topic at hand.
They research the best foods to give their dog and the most effective way to make the transition. They find out what kinds of nutrients a dog needs on a daily basis. Giving melatonin to dogs also involves a lot of study.
We take great pride in educating new puppy parents on the ins and outs of canine anatomy and how to best promote a lifetime of good health. Examine the pros and cons of using melatonin on your dog, and learn how to give him a peaceful night’s sleep without putting him in danger.
What Is Melatonin?
Both humans and dogs naturally produce the hormone melatonin. It is secreted by the pineal gland, and it plays a role in controlling our circadian rhythms and, to a lesser extent, our stress and anxiety levels.
Sometimes the body fails to release melatonin when it should, or produces insufficient amounts. For this reason, some people take a melatonin supplement daily for a limited time. Because of this, they are able to establish a regular sleeping schedule again.
The question is whether or not administering melatonin to a dog would have the same effect.
Can Dogs Have Melatonin?
Though melatonin is safe for dogs, you should be aware of the precautions to take and the potential side effects before giving it to your pet.
Never give your dog a high dose of melatonin without first talking to your vet. Most dogs can safely use melatonin without serious side effects.
The issue is that melatonin can have negative interactions with other supplements and medications your dog is taking.
As an added downside, it may aggravate preexisting health conditions. Lastly, it’s not safe for pregnant dogs and could endanger the health of her unborn pups.
Benadryl for dogs is used by many pet owners to combat their dogs’ allergy symptoms, but because it can cause drowsiness, it shouldn’t be given alongside Melatonin.
Your dog probably won’t have a serious reaction to melatonin, but it’s still a good idea to make a plan with your vet just in case!
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When Can You Give Your Dog Melatonin?
Why would you give melatonin to your dog? The truth is that number is closer to a handful.
As with many other natural remedies, the absence of side effects is a major selling point for using melatonin to treat dogs.
Some veterinarians have found success in prescribing melatonin for dogs suffering from conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, Cushing’s disease, and alopecia.
As a result, it is often effective in alleviating some of the symptoms of these conditions, with very few adverse effects. Read on to learn more about melatonin for dogs and whether or not you should discuss giving it to your pet with your vet.
Your Dog Has Anxiety
Somewhere between 20% and 40% of dogs experience severe separation anxiety. It’s not just that the dog will be distressed by this; it can also lead to undesirable behaviors and negative coping mechanisms.
When their owners get home from work, some find their dog has destroyed the bedding or is constantly licking the same part of her body.
Some canines suffer from situational anxiety in addition to separation anxiety. This can manifest as aversions to certain environments or specific activities, such as car rides or thunderstorms.
Melatonin has been used successfully by some pet owners to calm their anxious dogs. It can help them calm down when under pressure, reducing the likelihood that they’ll engage in risky behavior or unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Your Dog Has Insomnia
A sleep disorder isn’t just a human problem, who knew? Insomnia is defined as a chronic disorder characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining a restful sleep state.
When sleep is interrupted or is otherwise not restful for an extended period of time, it can lead to problems such as increased anxiety and feelings of lethargy during the day.
Insomniac dogs often have cognitive dysfunctions that throw off their bodies’ internal clocks.
As a result, you may find yourself sleeping at odd times or getting less shut-eye than usual. The dog’s owner may give their pet melatonin to ensure a restful night’s sleep and a revitalized daytime energy.
Cushing’s Disease
Overproduction of the hormone cortisol is the root cause of Cushing’s disease in dogs. The stress response and the immune system benefit from having normal levels of cortisol.
Frequent urination, fatigue, muscle weakness, and skin conditions have all been linked to elevated cortisol levels.
Melatonin may reduce Cushing’s disease symptoms in some people. Melatonin can prevent the absorption of excess cortisol if the disease is brought on by a tumor in the adrenal or pituitary gland.
Before resorting to more potent drugs with potentially dangerous side effects, many veterinarians will try melatonin.
![Can Dogs Have Melatonin Gummies? [Exact Dosage & Side Effects] - PawsGeek](https://www.pawsgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/how-much-melatonin-can-I-give-my-dog-for-anxiety.jpg)
Alopecia
Seasonal flank alopecia is a condition that affects some dogs every winter. Inexplicably, patches of hair fall out on their lower backs close to their tails.
This phenomenon is even more puzzling because it does not appear alongside other skin disorders.
Veterinarians sometimes recommend melatonin for hair loss, but it isn’t always effective. It is unclear whether or not the hair would have grown back even if melatonin hadn’t been used to treat the dogs.
Most dogs will not be harmed by this, and their owners will feel better knowing they are doing something to help the dog’s alopecia.
What does melatonin do to dogs?
Like in human beings, melatonin can aid canine sleep. The same is true for anxiety, which it can help calm.
However, melatonin is not without its drawbacks. Miller warns that additional negative effects may manifest if the dog is already being treated with medication. Certain medications may interact negatively with melatonin. ”
Miller suggests a number of alternatives that can be used as dog tranquilizers. There are products like Thunder shirts for these nuanced individual behaviors, she says, and this is especially true if the source of the anxiety is something concrete like a thunderstorm.
Dog Food Can Have A Serious Impact On Your Dog’s Allergies
Do you know that food allergies are typically caused by animal proteins? Yes, your dog’s itching, scratching, and hot spots could be due to an allergy to the beef, chicken, pork, or other animal proteins in their food.
Wild Earth’s goal is to produce the world’s healthiest dog food. Wild Earth, formulated by veterinarians, is a holistic diet for canines that emphasizes plant-based proteins over animal-based ones.
In fact, a recent study found that 43 percent of dogs fed Wild Earth experienced a reduction in itching and scratching, and 50 percent of dog owners noticed an improvement in their dog’s skin and coat after switching to Wild Earth.
Discover more about our Skin & Coat Dog Supplements and our Clean Protein Dog Food to give your dog the best chance at a long, healthy life.
Can dogs overdose on melatonin?
An overdose of melatonin is extremely rare in dogs, but it is possible, according to an article Miller wrote for Petco. Follow the directions to a T, and keep an eye out for any signs of itching or confusion that may indicate a negative reaction to the hormone.
How much melatonin can you give a dog?
This question cannot be answered definitively.
Even though melatonin is available without a prescription, the American Kennel Club recommends always checking with your vet to determine the best dosage for your pet.
Does melatonin make dogs sleepy?
Miller states in his article for Petco that melatonin is a “sleepiness hormone,” and he agrees.
It’s not just for this, though. Your dog may benefit from melatonin therapy for conditions such as separation anxiety, seasonal alopecia, Cushing’s disease, and epilepsy.
Recommended Melatonin Dosage for Dogs
How much dog melatonin should you give them, what type of melatonin should you give them, and how often should you give it to them?
Your vet is the best person to answer this kind of question. Supplements containing xylitol should be avoided at all costs, and you should look for a brand that doesn’t dilute its active ingredients with fillers.
The ingredients in melatonin supplements are generally safe for dogs to ingest, but you should still check with your vet to make sure the brand you plan to use is appropriate.
Your dog’s weight will be used to determine the correct dose.
If your dog weighs less than 10 pounds, it’s probably safe to give it 1 milligram. 15 milligrams is safe for dogs between 10 and 25 pounds.
Up to 3 milligrams is safe for dogs weighing 26-100 pounds, and up to 6 milligrams is safe for dogs weighing 101 pounds or more.
Your dog’s dosage is not going to be based solely on its weight. Preexisting conditions and other extenuating circumstances need to be taken into account. You shouldn’t give your dog melatonin more than three times a day, and that’s regardless of how much you’re giving him each time.
While it is not necessary to take melatonin with food for medical purposes, mixing it with food is a surefire way to ensure that your dog takes her dose. Put your supplement on a spoon that has been dipped in yogurt or peanut butter.
As long as you know they will eat the entire dose, you can give a powder or liquid medication to your pet by mixing it with a small amount of water or a treat.
A typical dose of melatonin will take 15–20 minutes to begin working, and the effects will last for about 8 hours. Giving it to your dog right before bedtime will do the trick if you’re trying to get her to sleep through the night.
Potential Side Effects of Melatonin For Dogs
The use of melatonin is generally safe for dogs. This is why melatonin is preferred over other sleep aids like tranquilizers by both veterinarians and pet owners.
During the times when your dog is awake, you might find that she seems a little listless. There’s a chance her itching will get worse, and her stomach will start to hurt. An increased heart rate, cramping, and confusion are among the more severe adverse effects.
Beginning with a low dose and gradually increasing it over a few days will allow you to observe your dog’s response to melatonin. If any of these symptoms appear, you should stop the procedure and talk to your vet.
Consider a Natural Diet For Dog Allergies
Have you heard of melatonin being given to dogs? As long as you consult your vet first and do exactly as she tells you, the answer is yes. Without resorting to harmful chemicals or medications, melatonin can be used to aid in your dog’s recovery and overall health.
Wild Earth provides a variety of plant-based dog food and treats if you prefer holistic methods of caring for your pet. We only use human-grade, readily recognizable ingredients that aid in canine growth and digestion.
Improve Dog Allergies With Wild Earth
Why do canines require extra nutrients? Your dog’s health can decline for a variety of reasons, including old age, exposure to harmful elements in the environment, exposure to pollutants, and the stresses of daily life.
We’ve developed a line of supplements to help in all the ways your dog could benefit from them. Find out more about the dog supplements offered by Wild Earth.