Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Melatonin is dosed at 3–6 mg per dog PO q8-12h in dogs, per Chapter 9 - Hereditary, Congenital, and Acquired Alopecias. In: Hnilica KA, Patterson AP, eds. Small Animal Dermatology (Fourth Edition). W.B. Saunders; 2017:302-352. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.851 (2026-08-01).. Melatonin is used in dogs for Alopecia X, anxiety, Cushing's adjunct. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Melatonin in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Melatonin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 3–6 mg per dog | q8-12h | Long-term | Alopecia X, anxiety, Cushing's adjunct | Weak | Chapter 9 - Hereditary, Congenital, and Acquired Alopecias. In: Hnilica KA, Patterson AP, eds. Small Animal Dermatology (Fourth Edition). W.B. Saunders; 2017:302-352. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.851 (2026-08-01). |
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Enter your dog's weight to check these cited ranges in the calculator — unit and concentration math done for you.
Activates MT1 and MT2 receptors. Modulates circadian rhythms, reproductive cyclicity, and coat growth. Anti-adrenal effects via inhibition of cortisol synthesis.
Used for alopecia X (hair loss), Cushing's disease adjunct, and reproductive management in ferrets. Avoid xylitol-containing products. Generally very safe.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Melatonin dose range in dogs, with cited source references: PO 3–6 mg per dog q8-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Melatonin in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Melatonin in dogs include: Long-term. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Melatonin is indicated in dogs for: Alopecia X, anxiety, Cushing's adjunct.
These are general warnings for Melatonin across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Used for alopecia X (hair loss), Cushing's disease adjunct, and reproductive management in ferrets. Avoid xylitol-containing products. Generally very safe.
Why a species-specific page? Melatonin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.