| I found this while searching for something | | | | carefully and select a product that contains |
| else, on Google and thought you might find it | | | | the proper dosage for dogs. Make sure that it |
| interesting. | | | | does NOT contain other herbs or nutrients. |
| | | | The usual dosage is 3mg for a dog that weighs |
| From the Peoria Humane Society website: | | | | over 30 pounds. In a few cases, very large |
| Melatonin the Marvelous!!! | | | | dogs weighing well over 100 pounds needed |
| | | | 6mg, but that's unusual. For dogs that weigh |
| Amazingly, an effective treatment for | | | | less than 30 pounds, give 1.5mg. For a tiny |
| thunderstorm and noise phobias may be an | | | | dog, reduce the dosage even further. Keep in |
| over-the-counter hormone used by humans to | | | | mind that 1,000 micrograms (mcg) is equal to |
| prevent insomnia. Melatonin, which is | | | | 1 milligram (mg), so a 200mcg pill, which is |
| produced by the pineal gland, sets the body's | | | | a common dosage form, contains only 1/15 of |
| internal clock in response to exposure to | | | | the amount recommended for a large dog. |
| light. The body creates melatonin only in | | | | |
| total darkness (the pineal gland stops | | | | Whenever a thunderstorm is predicted, give |
| production when any part of the body, even | | | | the dog melatonin before you leave for the |
| the back of the leg, is exposed to light). In | | | | day. The supplement remains effective for |
| humans, melatonin has been shown to calm the | | | | several hours. Otherwise, give it whenever |
| nerves, reduce anxiety, relieve panic | | | | thunder seems imminent. If the dog becomes |
| disorders, prevent migraine headaches and | | | | agitated, give the melatonin immediately. It |
| facilitate deep sleep. In birds and other | | | | may not be as effective on a dog that is |
| animals in the wild, melatonin levels trigger | | | | already highly aggitated, however, giving it |
| spring reproduction, fall migration, and | | | | may prevent the situation form getting worse. |
| winter hibernation. Actually, hibernation is | | | | Melatonin's benefits may be cumulative with a |
| what brought melatonin to dogs with | | | | maximum benefit occurring by the third day. |
| thunderstorm/noise phobias. | | | | |
| | | | Are there any dogs that shouldn't take |
| Melatonin has helped some noise-phobic dogs | | | | melatonin? It has been said that you |
| go from being panicked to only mildly | | | | shouldn't give melatonin to humans with |
| concerned with thunder or other loud noises | | | | autoimmune disorders, so check with your |
| such as fireworks and gunshots (it has not | | | | veterinarian before giving it to your dog. |
| been found to be effective in other stressful | | | | However, it has been given to dogs with |
| situations, only when noise is a major | | | | autoimmune disease, elderly dogs that had a |
| factor). It isn't a sedative. Your dog will | | | | number of diseases, dogs with heart problems |
| stay awake and alert. Instead of being | | | | and dogs with other illnesses, without any |
| extremely afraid during a thunderstorm, a dog | | | | serious side effects. So again, you must |
| may just simply stop being afraid. | | | | consult your veterinarian before giving it to |
| | | | your dog if it has an illness. |
| It is not quite known how melatonin works, | | | | |
| but it has an acute effect on the central | | | | The long term safety of melatonin |
| nervous system's neurotransmitters, which are | | | | supplementation has been debated by |
| chemicals that transmit nerve impulses. It | | | | physicians and many holistic health experts |
| appears that melatonin increases serotonin | | | | warn against taking it for more than |
| production and that it is a major inhibitor | | | | ocasional, short term use. However, no |
| of dopamine release. Dopamine and serotonin | | | | clinical trials have been conducted on its |
| are the important neurotransmitters involved | | | | actions in dogs. Over-the-counter melatonin |
| in behavior. It may also have something to do | | | | is not recommended for children because any |
| with cortisol levels. | | | | hormone supplement may disrupt the developing |
| | | | endocrine system, so it is believed that it |
| You may find Melatonin in health food stores, | | | | shouldn't be given to puppies for the same |
| pharmacies and some supermarkets. It comes in | | | | reason. As always consult your veterinarian. |
| a number of forms and a wide variety of | | | | |
| dosages, so make sure to examine the labels | | | | That's all for now, folks! |