Melatonin is commonly used as a sleep aid, and is sometimes used to treat certain hair disorders, cognitive dysfunction and separation anxiety in dogs, as well as sleep cycle disorders in dogs and cats. Generally, it is very safe, with lethargy and stomach upset being a potential issue in cases of overdose.
Doesn’t my dog realize it’s three in the morning? is probably a question you’ve wondered a few times if your dog frequently wakes you up in the middle of the night, whimpering for you to get out of bed and let him out to use the restroom or perhaps barking at a raccoon. m. ?.
Unfortunately, he doesn’t. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Your dog can be taught to sleep through the night.
Consider these six suggestions to assist your dream dog in getting a better night’s sleep if it has become a nightmare for him to fall asleep:
Play Later at Night
Sometimes all it takes is exerting more effort to exhaust your dog. Try scheduling playtime 30 minutes prior to bedtime to help your dog burn off excess energy and be ready to sleep when you are. Chasing a ball usually does it for dogs.
Wearing down all of the pets in a household before bed is a good idea. Since cats are by nature more nocturnal, playing with a feather or flashlight at night may prevent your cat from waking the dog. A small late-night meal may also help if you are constantly being reminded to fill a food bowl in the morning.
How Much Melatonin Should You Give Your Dog?
The literature is limited when it comes to the appropriate amount of melatonin to give your dog. According to Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook, the appropriate dose for dogs with sleeping disorders is between 3 and 6 milligrams. If your dog is suffering from anxiety disorders, then Plumb’s Handbook indicates 0.1 milligram of melatonin per kilogram of body weight.
Your best bet is to consult your vet about how much is appropriate for your dog given their age, weight, and any other health conditions or medications. If your vet advises giving your dog melatonin, make sure you buy it in the appropriate dosage. Preweighed supplement options make it simple to administer the recommended dosage in accordance with your veterinarian.
When Should You Give Your Dog Melatonin?
Give your dog the recommended dose of melatonin two hours prior to bedtime or a vet visit if you plan to use it to help them unwind before bed or feel less anxious. This window of time enables your dog’s body to absorb the melatonin for maximum effectiveness by the desired time.
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Austin has covered sleep science and sleep aids for more than ten years as a professional writer and researcher.
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