When it comes to our furry friends, we want to make sure they’re always happy and healthy.
That’s why so many dog owners turn to supplements like melatonin gummies when their pet is struggling with issues like anxiety or insomnia.
But what happens if your dog accidentally eats a melatonin gummy? In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential risks and side effects of melatonin for dogs. Stay safe and informed by reading on!
What Happens If My Dog Eats A Melatonin Gummy
No one knows exactly what happens if my dog eats a melatonin gummy? but there are a few things we can guess.
Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the body’s natural sleep cycle, so it’s likely that if my dog consumes it, he’ll start snoozing more than usual.
Additionally, because melatonin is used to treat anxiety and insomnia in humans, it might help calm my pup down if he’s feeling stressed or restless.
However, I should keep in mind that too much melatonin can be toxic for dogs, so I’ll need to monitor him closely and make sure he doesn’t eat too many of these gummies.
In case of an overdose, the side effects may appear as
- Vomiting
- Dizziness and Loss of Balance
- Weakness or Lethargy
- Increased thirst and frequency to urinate.
- Diarrhea
- Allergic reaction
- Increased Blood pressure
- Increase or decrease in heart rate
- Seizures and tremors (rare)
- Anxiety
It’s important to remember that some pets are more sensitive than others, so if my dog has any pre-existing health conditions, there’s a chance he might experience side effects after eating melatonin.
If your dog is having difficulty breathing or shows other signs of an allergic reaction, you should call the vet immediately or take him to the nearest vet hospital.
What Is Melatonin And What Does It Do In The Body?
Melatonin is a hormone that helps control sleep and wake cycles, also known as our circadian rhythm.
Our bodies naturally produce this hormone when it starts to get dark outside and we begin to feel more tired and sleepy.
It’s also available as an over-the-counter supplement that some people take to help combat the effects of jet lag and trouble sleeping.
As we’ve already discussed, melatonin seems beneficial for dogs experiencing changes in their sleep and wake cycles because of anxiety or stress.
So it may be helpful if your pup struggles with the quality or quantity of his sleep.
Melatonin can also help dogs that are experiencing age-related sleep changes, such as disruptions to their internal clock that appear as he gets older.
This is the same reason people start to feel groggy when they’re tired, and it can be tough to wake up in the morning when they’re older, as well.
When taken correctly under the guidance of a veterinarian, melatonin supplements might help your dog combat these age-related sleep issues.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Melatonin For Dogs?
When used in the right way, melatonin can help reduce or treat:
- Hyperactive Puppy Syndrome (HPS) and other sleep issues in puppies
- Excessive Barking and Separation Anxiety
- Some forms of anxiety, such as those associated with fireworks or thunderstorms.
- Separation Anxiety
- Fear of New Situations and Other Behavioral Issues
- Trouble Sleeping due to environmental changes like Daylight Savings Time
- Jet lag
What’s The Ideal Amount Of Melatonin Gummies For Dog Who Need It?
It’s best to use this supplement under the guidance of a veterinarian, as there is no stated ideal dose for dogs.
Most vets start with low doses and then build up, depending on the dog’s size and symptoms. The optimal dose is 1 milligram of melatonin per 20 pounds your dog weight.
Melatonin gummies are likely safe to use once every few days if your dog needs them, but they shouldn’t be used on a daily basis for an extended period of time.
Additionally, if your dog is taking another medication or has an underlying health condition, there’s a chance it might interact with melatonin.
For example, if your dog is on other medications for anxiety or seizures, there’s a chance that taking melatonin with them might increase the severity of these symptoms.
This is why it’s so important to speak with a veterinarian before trying melatonin, especially if your dog is on other medications.
How Much Melatonin Is Toxic To Dogs?
There is no recommended dose of melatonin in dogs, so toxicity levels depend on the size and weight of your dog.
A small child could be affected by a few milligrams while an adult might need to ingest several grams before experiencing any effects.
Though there are no specific numbers on melatonin toxicity for dogs, it’s likely the same as what’s listed above (1 milligram per 20 pounds of body weight).
In cases where dogs have been exposed to higher doses, they’ve experienced seizures and other neurological symptoms.
What Are Some Of The Signs That Your Dog Has Ingested Too Much Melatonin?
Melatonin overdose is not common; however, some of the symptoms that you may see are drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea, trembling/shaking, and loss of coordination.
How much is too much? The standard dose for dogs is generally 1 mg, but veterinarians have been known to prescribe up to 3 mg to help reduce anxiety in some pets.
If your dog has consumed more than one softgel it’s possible that he/she could overdose on melatonin.
Because melatonin is a supplement, it does not have an immediate effect on pets the way that prescription medications or even pharmaceuticals might.
It takes time for the body to process any chemicals that are ingested.
If you monitor your pet’s behavior closely after administering melatonin, you will be able to tell if he is experiencing some sort of reaction to the supplement.
You may not see signs that are indicative of an overdose, but instead, you’ll notice drowsiness, lack of energy, or excitement, and some might even vomit due to the way the chemical makes them feel.
If you suspect your dog has overdosed on melatonin it’s important to take him to your veterinarian.
You will also want to bring in any remaining supplements that have been left over, even if they appear to be unopened or undamaged.
This is important because some pet owners tend to give their dogs the recommended dosage on more than one occasion during the same day; this could cause an overdose and your vet needs to know how much your pet consumed.
Are There Any Long-Term Effects Of Dogs Ingesting Melatonin?
The effects of prolonged exposure to melatonin in dogs have not been documented, so it’s hard to say what kind of long-term damage might occur.
However, the supplement is completely natural and comes from a pineal gland in many animals’ brains.
Since melatonin has been used to help dogs relax, it’s likely that long-term exposure to melatonin will have a negative impact on the dog.
Some pets might experience depression or anxiety if they’re constantly being given melatonin.
If your pet is not suffering from any kind of sleep disorder, you should avoid giving him/her melatonin supplements.
The type of melatonin that is typically sold over the counter is synthetic.
This means that it’s created in a lab, and while the effects aren’t totally known, it’s believed to be similar to melatonin produced by animals in nature.
How Long Does Melatonin Take To Work On Dog?
As mentioned above, it takes a while for the body to process any chemicals that are introduced.
If you give your dog a melatonin supplement you’re going to want to give it about an hour or at least 40 minutes before bedtime in order to get the best effects from using it as a sleep aid.
Melatonin is not meant to be used more than once or twice a day, and not for more than two weeks at a time.
If you notice your dog becoming sluggish or drowsy repeatedly, talk to your vet about alternative options for helping them sleep.
How Long Does Melatonin Stay In A Dog’s System?
Melatonin stays in the system for about 4-8 hours typically.
It can remain in your pet’s system longer than this, but it will most likely be out of their system within a 24-hour time frame.
There are no documented cases that say how long it takes to get rid of melatonin from pets’ digestive processes, so these estimates are based on research for humans.
What If My Dog Eats A Melatonin Supplement Instead Of A Gummy?
If your dog accidentally eats a capsule of melatonin instead of a gummy, he’s probably not going to experience any major side effects since there is only a small amount of melatonin in each gummy.
However, since it is a supplement there could be some sort of reaction that will not be noticeable until the melatonin starts to wear off.
If you aren’t able to get your dog to vomit the melatonin out, take him to a vet immediately for assistance so they can monitor the dog’s progress.
If you have other pets in the home that might get into one of your dog’s supplements, it would be best to lock them up or keep them out of reach to avoid any problems.
If someone takes something that doesn’t belong to them, this could end up being life-threatening for their health depending on what they eat.
Can I Give My Dog Melatonin When He Has A Cold?
Generally speaking, no. While it might help him sleep, your dog doesn’t actually need to use melatonin as a sleep aid when he’s sick.
It wouldn’t be harmful, but it’s much better to let your pet try to fight off any illness without the added chemicals of a supplement.
Why Is melatonin Used As A Supplement?
Melatonin is naturally produced in the brain, so it’s not considered an actual drug. It can also be used to treat various problems, including insomnia. When taken as a supplement, melatonin provides the body with more of this chemical that induces sleepiness.
Does Melatonin Help Pets Get Better Sleep?
It can, but it’s only effective for certain pets. A lot of animals don’t necessarily need more sleep; they might not be able to sleep due to stress or anxiety, which is the case with many dogs. If your pet is having trouble sleeping because of this issue, talk to your vet about other options that may help them obtain better sleep.
What Doses Of Melatonin Can Be Used To Help Pets Sleep?
Typically, humans take 0.5 milligrams before bed and adjust the dosage accordingly.
Pets should take much less, especially since they will likely only need one-tenth of the dosage that is prescribed for humans.
How Can I Prevent My Dog From Eating My Medications?
Leaving medication out where your dog can access it is not a good idea.
You could try to hide your pills in his food, but there is always the chance that you might miss one.
Keeping them in a locked cabinet is effective, but this doesn’t work if you have children in the home that could get into your medications.
The best way to prevent your pet from taking medication is to make sure they can’t reach it at all by using childproof locks.
What Are Some Other Things That Can Be Dangerous For Dogs To Eat?
There are some plants that are poisonous to dogs, including lilies, sago palms, yews, and tulip bulbs.
While they aren’t typically foods, it’s important to keep them away from your dog just in case.
Outdoor plants can also be dangerous, as many have been sprayed with pesticides that aren’t meant for pets.
In addition, radiator fluid and antifreeze are both dangerous if consumed by a pet since they contain toxins that lead to organ failure.
Conclusion
Dogs can get very sick if they ingest melatonin, especially since the gummies are marketed towards people. It’s important for consumers to be aware of this so they can keep their pets safe.
Melatonin has a lot of potential effects on the body depending on the dosage, and it’s not safe for all animals to take.
I hope after reading this article now you know what happens if my dog eats a melatonin gummy?
What are the risks associated with it and what you can do if your dog ate a melatonin gummy?
If you have any questions, feel free to ask us in the comments.
I will try my best to answer them and provide you with more information on this topic.
Welcome to my blog, where I share my love for all things canine! As an older lady who has spent a lifetime surrounded by dogs, I feel it’s important to share my experiences and the joy that these furry companions bring into our lives. From my first dog, a spunky little mutt, to the loyal and loving dogs who have been by my side throughout the years, each one has left an paw print on my heart. Through my blog, I hope to inspire others to appreciate the love, loyalty, and companionship that dogs bring. So come along on this journey with me as we celebrate the wonderful world of dogs!
