While melatonin is generally safe for humans to ingest, it has not been well-tested in dogs, and can potentially be toxic for them. The symptoms of melatonin toxicity in dogs are usually digestive in nature—the dog can get very dizzy and shaky, and they may vomit or have an upset stomach. However, these symptoms are usually mild, and the dog will recover after a few hours.
Much more severe side effects include seizures or hypothermia (a drop in body temperature), though these aren’t expected unless the dog eats an extremely large amount of melatonin. If you notice any signs that your dog may have eaten human melatonin products (anything from gummies to pills), contact your vet immediately!
You’ll want to give as much information on what type of product the dog ate, how much they may have consumed, and when it happened. Thankfully, most cases can be treated with simple at-home care; if the symptoms are severe enough to warrant further attention, your vet will be able to help!
Some dogs can experience excitability with the medication as well.
If your pet does get ahold of some melatonin gummies, know that the consequences can be serious. In rare cases, a dog may have a seizure, and if excessive amounts of the medication are consumed, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea as well. In other cases, they may experience hyperactivity instead.
If the dog has eaten a large amount, they may experience seizures.
If a dog eats a large amount of melatonin, they may experience seizures. The exact dosage amount will depend on the size of the dog. If you think your pup has eaten more than is safe, it’s important to have them examined by a veterinarian immediately.
Signs of toxicity in dogs
Melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone, is considered a somewhat safe supplement for dogs. However, if your dog eats a melatonin gummy, you may notice some symptoms. They could include:
- Dizziness
- Shaking
- Vomiting/upset stomach
- A drop in blood pressure
- Excitability
Also watch for these less common symptoms:
- Lethargy and depression
- Seizures
If you notice any of these signs after your dog has eaten even a small amount of the gummies, seek veterinary care immediately.
Other signs of toxicity in dogs
If your dog has ingested the melatonin, you may notice the following signs of toxicity within an hour:
- Excitement and agitation
- Lethargy and sedation
- Increased thirst
- Seizures
- Disorientation
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting or an upset stomach
Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate your pet’s sleep cycle, and it is often given to dogs as an aid to help them sleep.
Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate your pet’s sleep cycle, and it is often given to dogs as an aid to help them sleep. Taking melatonin won’t cause an addiction in your dog, but the dosage of melatonin in these gummies may be higher than what a veterinarian would recommend for most dogs.
While it’s not likely that the occasional gummy will hurt your dog, if he eats multiple gummies on a regular basis, it could result in toxicity or even death.
The amount of melatonin found in these products is perfectly safe for you and me—but remember, our dogs aren’t tiny humans; they have different metabolisms and react differently to substances than we do. This means that even though the same amount of melatonin is safe for us doesn’t mean it’s safe for them.
Melatonin gummies usually contain 2 milligrams of melatonin, though some can contain up to 5 milligrams
There are a variety of melatonin products on the market, but the gummies seem to be the most popular. Melatonin supplements usually contain between 1 and 3 mg of melatonin per pill or capsule, while a standard dose of melatonin gummies ranges from 2 to 5 mg.
If you don’t want to give your dog a large single dose, you can try breaking up one of your own 2-5 mg melatonin gummies into smaller pieces for your dog.