If you have a pooch who tends toward anxiety, you may wonder if melatonin is safe for them. In fact, veterinarians prescribe melatonin for dogs to help relieve sleep disorders and mild anxiety, as well as other issues. Read on to find out how melatonin may help dogs. As always, speak with your vet before giving your pet any type of medicine or supplement.
What Is Melatonin?
In mammals, melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the brain's pineal gland that regulates sleep cycles, alerting the body to when it's time to sleep and wake up. Melatonin levels are highest at night and lowest during the day.
Most melatonin supplements are synthetic. However, so-called natural melatonin supplements are sourced from animals' pineal glands.
Why Is Melatonin Prescribed for Dogs?
Your vet may prescribe melatonin for your dog if they have:
- Disordered sleep
- Anxiety
- Hair loss
- Cushing's disease
Your vet might also recommend melatonin if your dog has cancer and is going through chemotherapy.
When used to treat sleep or anxiety issues, especially noise phobias triggered by things like fireworks or thunderstorms, melatonin may be prescribed in conjunction with behavior therapy and other non-drug treatments.
Can I Give My Dog Melatonin and Is It Safe?
Now that you know what melatonin can potentially do, you may wonder if you can give your dog melatonin safely? The answer is that you potentially can, but watch for negative side effects and make sure you have approval from your vet first.
The most common side effects your dog may experience from melatonin are extreme drowsiness, fatigue, digestive issues and, in some cases, an increased heart rate. Veterinary Partner says you should never give melatonin to dogs with diabetes, as it may cause insulin resistance.
Also, keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate supplements, including melatonin. This can be dangerous, as some supplements may contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that's benign for humans but toxic to dogs. Be sure to thoroughly inspect ingredient labels. In fact, it is best to only by a certain brand recommended by your vet if they suggest that melatonin might be right for your dog.
How Does Melatonin for Dogs Work?
Melatonin's efficacy depends on a few factors: your dog's health, the issue being treated and the duration of treatment.
Sleep
Melatonin supplements may help get a dog's sleep pattern back on track. This can be especially helpful for senior dogs who have cognitive issues and for blind dogs who can't see when it's nighttime or morning.
Tasty Tips
Anxiety
Melatonin also promotes calmness in anxious dogs. Researchers at the British Small Animal Veterinary Congress explain that this is because melatonin "may inhibit dopamine," the feel-good brain chemical. Too much dopamine is linked to anxiety.
Hair Loss
Experts aren't sure exactly how melatonin improves dog hair loss. Dr. Sue Paterson, a specialist in veterinary dermatology, explains for Veterinary Practice that "melatonin may work at a cellular level directly on the hair follicles" or by stimulating growth hormones.
Other Uses of Melatonin for Dogs
For dogs with cancer, melatonin helps alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and helps promote weight gain, according to Dog Cancer Blog. This is important because chemotherapy drastically reduces appetite.
According to the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee, melatonin may also help dogs who have Cushing's disease, which is caused by an overproduction of the hormone cortisol, by reducing cortisol levels.
If you think your dog would benefit from melatonin, speak with your vet to see if it's right for your furry friend.
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