Melatonin for dogs: Dosage, uses, and side effects

Like humans, dogs can experience insomnia. However, the condition is rare in canines and usually stems from an underlying illness such as dog dementia. Shifting schedules, time zone changes, and other environmental stimuli might also have your dog’s circadian rhythm out of whack. If your dog has chronic trouble sleeping, your vet might recommend a supplement like melatonin to help them regulate their hormones and promote relaxation.

Melatonin also suppresses cortisol, a stress hormone that can cause alopecia and anxiety at high levels. Although not FDA-approved, melatonin has been anecdotally successful in helping dogs recover from alopecia, relax during stressful events, and get a good night’s sleep. Here’s what pet owners need to know.

👉 Always talk to your vet before introducing a new supplement to your dog to ensure that it won’t interact with existing medications or health conditions.

Melatonin is a hormone that lowers cortisol levels, improves sleep-wake cycles (circadian rhythm), and regulates mood and reproduction. Your dog’s body naturally creates melatonin in the brain’s pineal gland to regulate their sleep cycles. Like humans, melatonin production is stimulated by darkness and stops when it starts to get light.

If your dog doesn’t naturally make enough melatonin, your vet may consider a melatonin supplement. While the chemical can be obtained from microorganisms and animals, it’s typically made synthetically. Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources

A melatonin supplement can improve your dog’s sleep and behavioral issues and helps treat Cushing’s disease, alopecia, and cognitive disorders like dementia. Aside from a supplement, you can also give your dog melatonin-rich foods like fish (sardines and salmon), oats, and bananas.

Here are a few melatonin supplements we like:

• Zesty Paws Advanced Hemp Melatonin Calming Bites. With over 400 5-star reviews, this calming chew helps promote relaxation and calmness. It includes a variety of calming ingredients aside from melatonin, like L-theanine, ashwagandha, L-tryptophan, valerian root, hemp seed powder, and chamomile.
• Pet Honesty Hemp Calming Max Strength. Free from wheat, corn, chemicals, and GMOs, this calming duck-flavored chew works in 45 minutes or less. It includes many naturally relaxing ingredients aside from melatonin, such as lemon balm, magnesium, ginger root, L-theanine, passion flower, and valerian root. This supplement has over 350 5-star reviews, and customers say it works.
• Vibeful Calming Melatonin. These soft chews are great for relaxing your pup. They feature naturally calming ingredients such as melatonin, passionflower, chamomile, L-tryptophan, and valerian root. This supplement comes in a peanut butter and turkey flavor and has 150 5-star reviews.
• K9 Select Melatonin. With over 4-stars,  this is a melatonin-only supplement containing 3 mg of melatonin. These help promote sleep, relaxation, and the adrenals to help improve their cortisol levels.

You can give your dog melatonin meant for humans or animals. As long as the supplement doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients like xylitol, your dog can take a melatonin supplement formulated for humans. Speak with your vet about melatonin and the correct dosage. It’s not safe for pregnant or lactating dogs or puppies 12 weeks or younger.

Drug interactions and melatonin

Melatonin is safe but can interact with some medications. It can reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure drugs and calcium channel blockers. It can also interact with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications and increase the risk of bleeding for dogs taking blood thinners.

While melatonin’s side effects are typically mild and rare in the general population, the supplement isn’t recommended for pregnant or lactating animals or dogs younger than 12 weeks old.

Melatonin appears to have a negative impact on fertility. Some cat owners even use it to suppress heat cycles in female cats. Fertility aside, here are some general risks associated with the supplement:

• Gastric upset. Melatonin generally doesn’t cause stomach upset, but you might alleviate any issues by giving your pup melatonin with a meal.
• Sleepiness. Melatonin is generally used to help your dog sleep, so it’s only natural that they might be a little drowsy after taking it.
• Increased heart rate. Although rare, increased heart rate is a side effect that shouldn’t be ignored. Call your veterinarian if your pet’s heart is beating much faster than normal or if they appear exceedingly restless.
• Itching. Unlike fatigue, itchiness can be a sign that your pup is intolerant to the supplement. Talk to your vet if your dog suddenly can’t seem to stop scratching.
• Confusion. A dazed expression could be a sign your pet is tired, which is a good thing, but it could also be a sign of intolerance. Note if the confusion accompanies itching, as well as how long it lasts after giving them the supplement.

Watch for any of these side effects after giving your dog melatonin. Call your vet if you notice increased restlessness, fast heartbeat, prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, or anything else that’s out of the ordinary.

👉 Always ask your vet which melatonin supplement is safe for dogs. While melatonin itself won’t cause any harm, some supplements contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs and cats.

When considering melatonin for your pet, follow the dosage instructions on the package. Melatonin dosage is typically determined by size and comes in a variety of forms.  Remember that this supplement is not safe for puppies or pregnant or lactating females. Speak with your vet before giving melatonin. It can cause side effects and interact with certain medications your dog is already on.

Your vet may also recommend a different dosage based on your dog’s health. For example, your dog may only need a low dose at bedtime to treat insomnia instead of a higher dose several times a day for alopecia.

Your dog should get roughly 12-16 hours of sleep in 24 hours, with most of their slumbers occurring during nighttime. Dogs have shorter sleep cycles than humans, so they might get out of bed every couple of hours during the night. This is normal and shouldn’t be mistaken for a sign of a sleep disorder.

While melatonin may help your dog sleep, here are some other ways to help them get some rest:

• Take them for a walk before bed. Going on a late-night stroll can expend the last of your dog’s energy for the day and eliminate their need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. These factors should help your dog’s sleep. If you take your dog out right before bed, they might even begin to associate their last walk of the day with feeling tired.
• Establish a bedtime routine. Give your pup some clues that the day is coming to a close by creating a bedtime routine they can look forward to. Calming sleep treats and tucking them into bed with their favorite blanket or chew toy might help.
• Give them valerian root. Valerian root is a natural alternative to melatonin that’s also used to treat anxiety. You might try valerian root as a supplement or as an ingredient in a treat. Speak with your vet first, and never give to pregnant or lactating dogs or young puppies.

Always consult your vet before giving your dog any supplement, including melatonin. Only administer melatonin under a vet’s guidance to be sure it’s safe and appropriate for your pet and their needs. Taking supplements from your own medicine cabinet or purchasing over-the-counter products without professional guidance and advice can endanger your dog.