What Can I Give My Dog to Sleep at Night?
Sleep patterns for your dog depend on many variables; lack of exercise, accidents and discomfort during the day could all interfere with them sleeping well at night.
Your symptoms could also be a telltale sign of an undiagnosed health issue; here are a few things you can try before reaching for medication.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a naturally produced hormone produced by your dog’s body that can help ease them into sleep. Additionally, it acts as an anti-anxiety medicine and may help treat separation anxiety disorder, thunderstorm or fear of noise phobia and more. Melatonin can reduce certain effects of seizures as well as potentially help with some forms of alopecia.
Dependent upon the type of melatonin you give to your pet, its effects could take eight hours or longer for them to take effect. If any side effects appear while taking this medication, please report it. Some dogs who have taken it may develop itchy skin or become confused; this could be related to other medications they’re currently taking or allergies.
Most veterinarians recommend Melatonin as a sleep aid for dogs, specifically for those experiencing difficulty with sleeping patterns, such as those suffering from Canine Cognitive Dysfunction or older animals suffering dementia. Furthermore, some veterinarians also prescribe Melatonin postoperatively in order to facilitate better restful recovery periods following surgery.
Some vets use melatonin to help keep dogs calm during stressful events like car rides and trips to the veterinarian, such as visits. Melatonin can reduce stress levels significantly while making them feel more at ease – particularly when used alongside calming supplements or drugs such as xylitol.
Before giving your dog melatonin, it’s essential that you consult with a veterinarian in order to ensure the dosage and interactions with other medications or supplements they’re already taking are appropriate. Some painkillers, for example, can interact adversely with this natural sleeping aid; pregnant or nursing female dogs should not take melatonin; any animals experiencing kidney or liver issues, brain disorders, seizures should only take it under veterinarian guidance.
Melatonin can also help dogs suffering from Cushing’s Disease by controlling their cortisol levels. Cushing’s can occur when tumors of either adrenal or pituitary gland produce too much cortisol, leading to serious health problems for pets.
Over-the-Counter Sleeping Pills
Human sleep aids, both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription, may not be suitable for dogs. While medications designed for one species might work for another species, they often result in unpleasant side effects or be toxic; additionally, certain OTC and prescription sleep pills can interact negatively with each other and even make medical conditions worse.
Accidental ingestion of sleeping pills by dogs can have devastating repercussions for their central nervous systems. Symptoms will depend on size, health and amount consumed; ingestion of large doses could even prove fatal for pets.
OTC sleeping aids typically consist of herbal and pharmaceutical ingredients like valerian root, lemon balm, passion flower extract, L-theanine, chamomile flowers and ginger root. Some products even come in chewable form while some also contain magnesium stearate which may cause stomach discomfort while delaying absorption of other vitamins and minerals.
Veterinarians and canine behavioralists frequently recommend melatonin as an all-natural sleep-promoting supplement for adult dogs with normal sleeping cycles. Many canines with stress or anxiety issues will find relief through its use – making bedtime much more comfortable! Additionally, melatonin also has anticonvulsant properties in humans and some veterinarians have reported using it as an adjunct therapy in treating seizures in animals.
New puppies often find it difficult to settle at night after leaving their mother and siblings behind where they slept together for the first time. Puppies may become active at night, barking at slumbering owners while being boisterous themselves. Music can often help soothe these energetic little guys into deeper restful slumber. Classical or instrumental music playing quietly in the background may lull them to deeper sleep than anything else could.
As always, it is vitally important that calming supplements should never replace professional veterinary advice. If your dog displays any signs of discomfort such as excessive thirst or urination or other unusual behavior, contact your vet right away for an examination and assessment to ascertain if sedation is necessary as well as advice regarding dosage levels.
Calming Chews
There are various calming chews designed to aid dogs with sleeping. They often utilize herbal and botanical ingredients that promote relaxation, making these the ideal accompaniment for thunderstorms or vet visits. You can use these on an ongoing basis or as necessary.
These chews can also assist dogs who suffer from anxiety that prevents them from sleeping. For instance, when bringing home a newly adopted dog from an animal shelter or boarding facility with lots of noises and scents from its new environment which cause anxiety, this dog may be unable to relax enough for restful slumber and instead exhibit destructive or aggressive behaviors that prevent restful restful restful rest for its owner and themselves.
Gracie To The Rescue’s Calming Chews offer a great way to help pups relax without making them sleepy. Made with organic ingredients that aid anxiety reduction such as hemp seed oil, chamomile powder, and L-tryptophan; for every chew container sold they donate supplements directly back into shelters!
Finn Calming Chews offer another soothing chew option for dogs: liver-flavored treats made of natural and organic ingredients like chamomile, melatonin and valerian root powder plus L-tryptophan and hemp seed oil to calm frazzled nerves. Though slightly more costly at $30 per tub than other products of its kind, they provide access to an impressive list of natural and organic compounds to soothe frazzled nerves in pups.
Anxious Pet Relax & Roll Soft Chews are an excellent solution for dogs suffering from separation anxiety or stress caused by loud noises. Packed with herbs, amino acids, and vitamins that soothe pups to get restful sleep – including Acetyl L-carnitine, Magnolia Flower, St John’s Wart Extracts and Barberry for positive emotional states as well as supporting Melatonin Production for healthy melatonin levels for better restful slumber – they provide everything your pup needs for relaxation & rolling soft chews for healthy living!
Zesty Paws Hemp Elements Calming OraStix are an effective calming chew designed to relieve anxiety and hyperactivity in dogs. Made with natural ingredients that not only calm them, but protect their teeth and gums as well. Flavored with peppermint and rosemary extracts for flavor, these chews are designed for continuous chewing to help relax both dog and owner!
Vet-Approved Medications
Pet owners frequently ask us whether it is safe to give their dogs sleeping pills. Our advice always points toward not doing this as human medications such as melatonin, OTC sleep products and powerful prescription drugs have the potential to be dangerous if not administered under vet supervision and care. Several factors should be considered before giving any sedative to your pup: their medical history, size, breed and age all play an integral part.
Your best bet for helping your pup sleep soundly is to ensure they get plenty of exercise, particularly near bedtime. A walk or game of fetch can help tire them out and prepare them for restful slumber. In addition to physical stimulation, making sure your dog has a cozy place to rest is also key; providing them with soft mattresses and blankets will help them relax as they drift off into dreamland.
Other methods to help your pet sleep include providing him or her with calming chews or natural herbal supplements designed to promote relaxation. An essential oil diffuser with calming pheromones in the bedroom may also prove effective, while some individuals find playing soft instrumental music at a low volume before bed helps them unwind faster and drift off quicker.
Veterinarians may recommend giving your pet melatonin or another sedative medication to aid them in sleeping better if they’re suffering from stress and anxiety or medical conditions that make it hard for them to settle down at night. Furthermore, some vets also provide long-term anti-anxiety medications like fluoxetine, clomipramine or amitriptyline to address fearful or anxious behaviors in your pet.
No matter how badly you want them to sleep, never give your dog benzodiazepine medications such as Valium or Xanax. Even accidental ingestion could prove fatal; veterinarians also do not advise using hypnotics such as zolpidem, eszopiclone and zaleplon as these may become addictive and cause severe side effects when taken by dogs.
