The Best Melatonin for Dogs for 2022

Written by Angie Menjivar
Updated: January 26, 2023
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While prescribed medications can help calm your pup, help him sleep, and reduce unwanted behaviors, they have unpleasant side effects and can damage his liver. This can leave you wondering what to do next. Melatonin can be an excellent option to soothe your pooch. In fact, the best melatonin for dogs can be found in supplements that taste like treats! 

Although most puppies live happy-go-lucky lives besides their owners, there are some dogs who aren’t so lucky. It is possible that your pup came from a traumatic background when you adopted them from a shelter or that they have previously lived on the streets. Regardless of what happened in the past, you can definitely train and love your dog to become a more resilient individual! However, the path can be aided by melatonin supplements in some cases. 

There are many different types of melatonin supplements. Some come in treat form while others are sold in tablet and capsule forms. Some are formulated specifically for dogs that suffer from stress and anxiety while others are meant to help your sweet babe sleep through the night. In this article, we share the best overall we found on the web so you can make an informed decision!

  1. Zesty Paws Advanced Calming Bites Turkey Flavored Soft Chews
    • Help nervous dogs calm down
    • Good for nervous, anxious, or aggressive dogs
    • No drowsiness or sleepiness
    • Contains thiamine and organic chamomile
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  2. waggedy Calm Stress & Anxiety Relief Melatonin Dog Supplement
    • Relieve hyperactive and aggressive behavior
    • Contain L tryptophan and chamomile flowers
    • Veterinarian-approved
    • Does not cause drowsiness
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  3. NaturVet Quiet Moments Soft Chews Calming Supplement for Dogs
    • Calming aid
    • Packaged in a resealable jar
    • Promote normal nervous system function
    • Use when traveling or grooming
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  4. Dr. Oscar Dog Sleep Aid for Dogs
    • Beef-flavored supplement
    • Contain all-natural ingredients
    • Minimizes sleep disturbances
    • Promote calmness and relaxation
    Check Amazon

Top Picks: The Best Melatonin for Dogs Today

#1. Best Overall: Zesty Paws Advanced Calming Bites Turkey Flavored Soft Chews

The best overall melatonin supplement for dogs is Zesty Paws Advanced Calming Bites Turkey Flavored Soft Chews. These small bites are packed with ingredients to help calm your dog, induce a relaxed state, and keep his composure. Dogs that exhibit nervous, anxious, or aggressive behaviors may need a little extra help with maintaining an even-keeled state. With these calming bites, your dog is provided with 30 mg of suntheanine per chew, which is a pure and GRAS-designated form of L-theanine. This ingredient helps to stimulate brain waves to promote relaxation without side effects like drowsiness or sleepiness.

Additional ingredients include thiamine and organic chamomile, which acts as a relaxer that can shift behavior from biting, barking, and jumping to a peaceful, quiet state. These are also ideal for use as a natural anti-anxiety whenever your dog needs a little extra soothing. This can come in handy during thunderstorms, firework events, or separation anxiety. Organic ginger root, L-tryptophan, and organic passionflower round out this formula to help minimize outbursts. Valerian root is included to reduce scratching, restlessness, paw licking, and chewing.

These come in a turkey flavor and there is 90 chews total per container. However, there is also a delicious bison and peanut butter flavor as well. The calming bites offer premium support for your pet, whether he needs extra support during special events or just needs a little help with stress. It is normal to notice changes in your dog’s behavior as soon as 30 minutes after giving them these bites. However, to be safe, you should provide your pet with a dose about an hour before any stressful event. Sadly, the most common complaint we heard regarding this chew was that the dogs didn’t like the taste of it and were refusing to eat it as a result.

Pros and Cons of the Zesty Paws Advanced Calming Bites Turkey Flavored Soft Chews

ProsCons
Relaxation is achieved without drowsiness with these chews.Some dogs dislike the flavor of the treats.
The main ingredients are chamomile and L-theanine, which help calm dogs.
There are several flavors available, including turkey, bison, and peanut butter.
It contains a high amount of suntheanine.
Best Overall
Zesty Paws Advanced Calming Bites Turkey Flavored Soft Chews
  • Help nervous dogs calm down
  • Good for nervous, anxious, or aggressive dogs
  • No drowsiness or sleepiness
  • Contains thiamine and organic chamomile
Check Chewy Check Amazon

2. Best for Nervous Pups: waggedy Calm Stress & Anxiety Relief Melatonin Dog Supplement

If your dog suffers from anxiety and stress, you might want to give waggedy Calm Stress & Anxiety Relief Melatonin Dog Supplement a shot. Melatonin is a fantastic help for pups that have a hard time with stress and anxiety. This is a natural supplement by waggedy that’s been proven effective at relieving hyperactive and aggressive behaviors in dogs. The ingredients included in this formula aside from melatonin are L-tryptophan, chamomile flowers, passionflower, and ginger. When L-Tryptophan is converted into serotonin, it produces a pleasant feeling. Use these whenever you need to soothe your dog’s nervous system, especially during high-stress events. In spite of the fact that the formula contains chamomile, the dosages are not as potent, and therefore your dog will need to take a larger serving size of it.

Is it near impossible to brush your dog, clip his nails, or get him into the car for a ride to the groomer? With these soft chews, you can help your dog maintain that loving, sweet, calm energy during the car ride, at the groomer, or at home when you are grooming him yourself. The natural ingredients in it help soothe frayed nerves, so both you and your dog can perform grooming tasks more efficiently.

This is a veterinarian-approved formula that’s safe for puppies six weeks old and up—you can even give these to your senior pup! Serve them alone or mix them in with your dog’s food. Each bottle contains 60 soft chews. After providing your dog with his dose, it takes about 30 to 60 minutes for the chews to work. You won’t notice your dog appearing drowsy either. Rather, the effect is more subtle. Simply, he’ll be calmer.

Pros and Cons of the waggedy Calm Stress & Anxiety Relief Melatonin Dog Supplement

ProsCons
The L-Tryptophan in this product promotes your dog’s overall calmness.There is a lack of potency in the chamomile ingredient.
A natural gentle sedative, chamomile is one of the ingredients in this formula.
This supplement will help keep your dog calm during especially stressful situations like fireworks or travel.
Best for Nervous Pups
waggedy Calm Stress & Anxiety Relief Melatonin Dog Supplement
  • Relieve hyperactive and aggressive behavior
  • Contain L tryptophan and chamomile flowers
  • Veterinarian-approved
  • Does not cause drowsiness
Check Chewy Check Amazon

3. Best Budget-Friendly: NaturVet Quiet Moments Soft Chews Calming Supplement for Dogs

The NaturVet Quiet Moments Soft Chews Calming Supplement for Dogs is a budget-friendly melatonin option. NaturVet has developed soft chews that serve as a calming aid for dogs that need help relaxing. You can stock up on these because they’re available in different sizes with up to 240 soft chews per container. With this high-quality health supplement, you can welcome the calm energy your dog needs during separation, storms, grooming, or travel. Taking these supplements can prevent anxious behaviors such as excessive licking, chewing, pacing, or panting in your dog.

Each chew is enhanced with melatonin, ginger, L-tryptophan, and thiamine to reduce your dog’s tension and stress. These are packaged in a resealable jar for continued freshness. There is one downside to these supplements, however, which is that canola oil is listed as an ingredient. Like vegetable oil, canola oil is safe for your dog, but may not be beneficial. High levels of processing are more likely to be present in canola oil.

Pros and Cons of the NaturVet Quiet Moments Soft Chews Calming Supplement for Dogs

ProsCons
The supplements are available in different pack sizes.The oil used in this product is canola oil, which is of low quality.
There are multiple active ingredients such as ginger, L-tryptophan, and thiamine.
This is a cost-effective option for many pet owners.
Best Budget-Friendly
NaturVet Quiet Moments Soft Chews Calming Supplement for Dogs
  • Calming aid
  • Packaged in a resealable jar
  • Promote normal nervous system function
  • Use when traveling or grooming
Check Chewy Check Amazon

4. Best Sleep Aid: Dr. Oscar Dog Sleep Aid for Dogs

Whether your dog is having a hard time falling asleep or having trouble staying asleep, Dr. Oscar Dog Sleep Aid for Dogs can help. Sometimes, your dog just needs good rest. Dr. Oscar’s sleep aid for dogs can completely alter how your dog rests and recovers whether he is anxious, acclimating to a new environment, or suffering from a health condition that disrupts his sleep. This beef-flavored supplement is packed with natural non-GMO ingredients like valerian root, passionflower, ashwagandha, lemon balm L theanine, melatonin, chamomile, ginger root, and L tryptophan.

While some treats that contain melatonin are formulated to help promote calmness and relaxation in your pet, these are formulated to help your dog sleep through the night. Typically, other calming treats lack enough melatonin to support restful sleep, so Dr. Oscar created a formula that minimizes sleep disturbances and serves as a neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory aid. It may be necessary, however, to bribe your dog to eat these chewable tablets since they are more like tablets than treats.

Pros and Cons of the Dr. Oscar Dog Sleep Aid for Dogs

ProsCons
GMO-free ingredients are used in the supplement.As these are not chewables, but rather tablets, you may need to find unique ways to give them to your dog.
Contains a variety of natural ingredients to improve sleep, calmness, and stress relief.
The formula contains enough melatonin to be effective as a sleep aid.
Best Sleep Aid
Dr. Oscar Dog Sleep Aid for Dogs
  • Beef-flavored supplement
  • Contain all-natural ingredients
  • Minimizes sleep disturbances
  • Promote calmness and relaxation
Check Amazon

How to Choose the Best Melatonin for Dogs

There is a wide range of melatonin-containing supplements for dogs available with different formulas, purposes, and concentrations. The number of options is so overwhelming that choosing the right one can be quite difficult. It is possible, however, to determine which melatonin supplement will be best for your pup by considering certain factors. 

In choosing the right melatonin-infused product for your dog, you need to consider several factors such as: 

  • Veterinary direction 
  • Ingredients 
  • Purpose 
  • Palatability 

We will discuss the following in greater detail:

Veterinary Direction

In the list above, we highlighted over-the-counter (OTC) melatonin supplements for dogs. However, if your pup requires pure melatonin, you may be able to obtain a prescription directly from your veterinarian. Often, pet parents skip the vet altogether and move forward with purchasing OTC options. Although melatonin is considered safe for dogs, it’s always a good idea to get guidance and direction from your vet. It’s important to keep in mind that every melatonin formula differs. Some contain proprietary ingredients that might not be in your pup’s usual diet. When you loop your vet into the conversation about melatonin, you will provide your pup with a supplement that helps.

Ingredients

Focus on products that include all-natural ingredients in their formulas. Often, you can find straightforward calming treats that incorporate ingredients like lemon balm, L-tryptophan, chamomile, L-theanine, and passionflower, among other well-known natural relaxants. Avoid any calming supplements that incorporate unnecessary additives or fillers. Especially avoid the ingredient xylitol, as it can create stomach upset and lethargy in dogs. This ingredient can be ultra-toxic, even causing low blood sugar and liver energy.

Here is an example of an ingredients list from the best overall product on this list:

Active Ingredients: Organic Hemp Seed Powder, Organic Chamomile, Valerian Root, Organic Passionflower, L-Theanine (Suntheanine®), Organic Ginger Root, Ashwagandha (Sensoril®), L-Tryptophan, Magnesium Citrate.

Inactive Ingredients: Coconut Glycerin, Flaxseed, Garbanzo Flour, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Natural Bacon Flavoring, Natural Flavor (from Oregano, Flaxseed, and Plum), Natural Turkey Flavoring, Palm Oil, Pea Flour, Powdered Cellulose, Rosemary Extract, Sunflower Lecithin, Sweet Potato, Turkey.

Purpose

Some calming formulas with melatonin are specifically for daytime use to help your dog take the edge off. They don’t induce sleepiness. Instead, they soothe your dog’s nervous system and allow him to function normally without being overwhelmed by external stimuli. If you’re looking for a melatonin product that helps your dog sleep, be sure to purchase a sleep formula like the Dr. Oscar sleep aid we highlighted in the list above.

Palatability

When melatonin is infused into a treat, it’s much easier to administer the dose. Some supplements come in tablet or capsule form, which are harder to administer. You can hide them in a treat or crush them to incorporate them into food. If your dog doesn’t have trouble with taking tablets or the powder from capsules, then this isn’t a big concern. But if your pup gets picky with different flavors, a meaty-flavored treat may just be your best bet!

The 2 Different Types of Melatonin for Dogs

There are many different formulas available for melatonin, as we mentioned above. They each have their own uses, and the one your dog requires will depend on his specific needs. For the best decision, it’s important to know the pros and cons of both types of melatonin for dogs.

Some of the most common pros and cons include:

  • Melatonin for nervous/anxious pups — This is a specially formulated dosage to help reduce your dog’s stress and anxiety levels. It is available in many different flavors. Your dog will not be drowsy and will be able to stay alert. This particular dosage is not helpful if your dog needs melatonin as a sleep aid. 
  • Sleep aid melatonin for dogs — This is specially formulated to support sleep quality. It is usually pretty easy to administer. This is not a great daytime option as your dog will be drowsy.

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone that occurs naturally in the brain. It has a primary purpose to reduce anxiety, bring the body into a relaxed state, and help the body move into preparation for sleep. The supplements outlined above incorporate synthetic melatonin to recreate the same effects and aid with the reduction of stress and anxiety while also promoting better sleep.

How Does Melatonin Affect Dogs?

Melatonin affects dogs much in the way it affects humans. It delivers a noticeable calming effect that can improve your pup’s quality of life (especially if he suffers from anxiety). In smaller doses, it’s perfect for helping your dog relax and enjoy life, without feeling skittish at every turn. In higher doses, it’s ideal for administering at night, just before bedtime so your dog can rest comfortably through the night.

Can You Give Melatonin to Dogs?

Yes, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), melatonin is safe for dogs. It’s a natural hormone that helps your pup regulate wakeful periods. Additionally, it helps with several conditions, such as separation anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, and even hair disorders. There is a minimal risk for side effects and mostly, those side effects are related to higher doses of melatonin that cause sleepiness or grogginess the following day.

Although melatonin is typically well-tolerated and safe for your dog’s consumption, it’s important to check with your veterinarian if your pup is on any medications. Melatonin may interact with other medications—it’s always suggested you confirm a new supplement is okay with your vet.

How Much Melatonin Should You Give to Your Dog?

There’s limited research on the adequate dosage of melatonin for dogs; however, according to Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook, an appropriate dose when administering melatonin for sleep disorders is between three and six milligrams. If your dog is taking melatonin because of an anxiety disorder, the same drug handbook indicates that 0.1 milligrams of melatonin per kilogram of body weight are suitable.

The best person to speak with when deciding on the appropriate dose for your dog’s needs is your veterinarian. This is because your vet is familiar with your dog’s medical history and can take any health issues or medications into account when recommending the best dose. The total amount of melatonin you give your dog is also based on his age and weight.

Milligrams vs. Micrograms

When purchasing melatonin, you may find it in different dosages. Some products label milligrams (mg) while others label micrograms (mcg). 1000 mcg is equivalent to one mg. That means the minimum suggested dose for a dog with a sleep disorder would be 3 mg or 3000 mcg.

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About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

The Best Melatonin for Dogs for 2022 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What type of melatonin is best for dogs?

That depends entirely on the reason you are incorporating melatonin into your dog’s routine. Is it for an anxiety issue? Is your pup not getting enough quality rest at night? The purpose for incorporating melatonin determines which type is the best for your dog. Some formulas are specifically designed to alleviate stress and anxiety, induce a calm state, and help your dog cope with better resiliency. Other products are specifically designed for sleep support. Sleep support products typically have a higher dose of melatonin and will help your dog drift off into restful sleep. However, if you need your dog awake and alert but just with calmer energy, a calming formula is a better option.

Can I use human melatonin for my dog?

When administering melatonin to your dog, be sure that you’re providing him with a formula made specifically for dogs. While melatonin alone is safe for your dog’s consumption, it should come in a formula that’s made specifically for dogs. Plus, your dog is more likely to take to a meat-flavored treat infused with melatonin. This can help establish a positive association, which makes administering regular doses easier over time.

Is it safe to give your dog melatonin every night?

Yes, according to the ASPCA, melatonin is generally very safe. In some dogs, lethargy and stomach upset are mild side effects. However, these side effects are typically related to a melatonin overdose.

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