If you’re going to use melatonin to help your dog relax before bed or feel less anxiety before a procedure, administer the appropriate dose approximately two hours before bedtime or veterinary appointment. This time frame allows for the melatonin to be absorbed into your dog’s body for maximum effectiveness by the desired time. Thanks for the feedback – were glad you found our work instructive!
If youre ready for more ⟶ sign up to receive our email newsletter! Your
Thanks for the feedback – were glad you found our work instructive!
Austin is a professional writer and researcher who has covered sleep science and sleep products for over a decade.
Bunford, N., Reicher, V., Kis, A., Pogány, Á., Gombos, F., Bódizs, R., & Gácsi, M. (2018). Differences in pre-sleep activity and sleep location are associated with variability in daytime/nighttime sleep electrophysiology in the domestic dog. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 7109. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29740040/
Kinsman, R., Owczarczak-Garstecka, S., Casey, R., Knowles, T., Tasker, S., Woodward, J., Da Costa, R., & Murray, J. (2020). Sleep duration and behaviours: A descriptive analysis of a cohort of dogs up to 12 months of age. Animals: An Open Access Journal from MDPI, 10(7), 1172. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32664232/
Woods, H. J., Li, M. F., Patel, U. A., Lascelles, B., Samson, D. R., & Gruen, M. E. (2020). A functional linear modeling approach to sleep-wake cycles in dogs. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 22233. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33335259/
Zisapel, N. (2018). New perspectives on the role of melatonin in human sleep, circadian rhythms and their regulation. British Journal of Pharmacology, 175(16), 3190–3199. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29318587/
Hansen, M. V., Halladin, N. L., Rosenberg, J., Gögenur, I., & Møller, A. M. (2015). Melatonin for pre- and postoperative anxiety in adults. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015(4), CD009861. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25856551/
Niggemann, J. R., Tichy, A., Eberspächer-Schweda, M. C., & Eberspächer-Schweda, E. (2019). Preoperative calming effect of melatonin and its influence on propofol dose for anesthesia induction in healthy dogs. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 46(5), 560–567. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31351807/
Mogheiseh, A., Koohi, F., Nazifi, S., Shojaee Tabrizi, A., Taheri, P., & Salavati, S. (2019). Oxidative-antioxidative status and hepatic and renal factors following melatonin administration in castrated and intact dogs. Basic and Clinical Andrology, 29, 14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31788315/
Taheri, P., Mogheiseh, A., Shojaee Tabrizi, A., Nazifi, S., Salavati, S., & Koohi, F. (2019). Changes in thyroid hormones, leptin, ghrelin and, galanin following oral melatonin administration in intact and castrated dogs: a preliminary study. BMC Veterinary Research, 15(1), 145. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31088464/
While melatonin can have plenty of potential benefits to help your dog overcome a variety of health and behavioral problems, its also possible for your pet to have too much of a good thing. Make sure to work out the correct dosage for your pet with your vet, as this will eliminate the risk of overdose.
However, if youre worried you may have given your dog too much melatonin, or if you think they may have gotten into the medical supplies and helped themselves to an extra dose, make sure you recognize the warning signs and know how to respond. In the case of a mild overdose, the symptoms are unlikely to be overly dramatic. Your pet may have a slightly upset stomach, for example, and also show signs of sleepiness.
Significant overdoses can produce much more serious symptoms and require an urgent response. Signs to keep an eye out for include vomiting and diarrhea, loss of coordination, high blood pressure, and even seizures.
If you notice any of these symptoms, dont delay. Contact your vet immediately or call a poison control hotline. Youll be advised on the best next steps and what you can do to look after your pet.
Keep a close eye on your dogs body language for any cues that may indicate an overdose of melatonin, such as:
Other signs you may notice include:
Vomiting And Diarrhea
Seizures
Loss Of Coordination
Confusion
High Blood Pressure
Can melatonin help dogs?
With your vetâs guidance, melatonin is used to treat several conditions that impact dogs, including:
Insomnia: Pups that have difficulty sleeping, like elderly dogs with dementia, may benefit from safe levels of melatonin by getting restful sleep.Â
Anxiety: Melatonin can help dogs that struggle with anxiety relax, thanks to its drowsy effects.Â
Hair loss: If your dog suffers from seasonal, non-allergic hair loss (this condition is common for Pomeranians), melatonin may improve their fur coats.Â
