For many pet owners, melatonin dog treats are a natural way to provide the benefits of this hormone supplement to their four-legged friends. Melatonin is widely available over the counter and is considered safe for both humans and animals. It has been used medicinally by humans since the late 1960s and its effectiveness as a sleep aid has been well documented. More recently, melatonin has become popular in veterinary medicine, where it is prescribed for treating anxiety disorders, noise phobias, cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), and insomnia in dogs.
What Is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone secreted naturally by the pineal gland in mammals and other animals that helps regulate sleep cycles. Synthetic versions of this hormone are produced commercially and sold as oral supplements or topical applications such as creams or gels. In most cases, melatonin is recommended to be taken at night before bedtime because its effects typically last around 6-8 hours.
Uses of Melatonin for Dogs
As with humans, melatonin can be used to treat insomnia in dogs due to changes in sleeping patterns caused by aging or stressors such as loud noises from fireworks or thunderstorms. It may also be helpful in treating anxiety-related conditions such as separation anxiety or travel anxiety. Lastly, some veterinarians have seen success using it to treat cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), also known as canine dementia which affects aged dogs much like Alzheimer’s disease does humans.
Benefits of Giving Your Dog Melatonin Dog Treats
Melatonin dog treats offer several advantages compared to other forms of supplementation such as pills or liquids:
- Convenience – You don’t need any special equipment or preparation when giving your pup his daily dose; just pop one into his mouth!
- Tastier – Most dogs find these treats very tasty so they are more likely to take them without hesitation than if given an unappetizing pill or liquid form.
- Easier Dose Adjustment – If you need to adjust your dog’s dosage up or down you can easily do so without having to measure out exact amounts like with pills/liquids etc.
- Safety – With proper dosing there are no known side effects associated with taking melatonin treats orally; something that cannot necessarily be said about other forms of supplementation depending on the ingredients involved etc.
Dosage Guidelines
When considering whether melatonin might help your furry friend it’s important that you speak with your veterinarian first before starting him on any type of supplementation program including melatonin dog treats. The general guideline for average-sized adult pups is 1 mg per every 10 lbs once daily but this will ultimately depend on individual factors such as age & health history etc. When starting out it’s best practice to begin with the lowest possible dose and then slowly increase until you reach the desired effect while monitoring closely for signs of adverse reactions along the way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, melatonin dog treats are becoming increasingly popular among pet owners looking for a convenient & safe way to help their pooch get better restful sleep while helping ease various forms of anxiety & CDS-related symptoms at the same time if applicable. However, remember always speak with your vet prior to making any drastic changes in your diet/supplementation routine so they can guide you properly based on individual factors pertinent only to your pup!
