Active Ingredient Research

Melatonin

Medical-strength dosages to help hair grow & rejuvenate old dogs.

Research Overview

High-Dose Melatonin Therapy can be used in dogs to help balance hormones to promote hair growth and to rejuvenate geriatric dogs in addition to other benefits.

General Research References

Small Animal Dermatology References: Muller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology - 9781416000280
https://www.elsevier.com/books/muller-and-kirks-small-animal-dermatology/miller/978-1-4160-0028-0

Small Animal Dermatology - 9780323376518
https://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/small-animal-dermatology-9780323376518.html

Oxidative Stress and Aging as Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease: The Role of the Antioxidant Melatonin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36769340/

Effect of oral melatonin administration on sex hormone, prolactin, and thyroid hormone concentrations in adult dogs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10530323/

Changes in sexual hormones, serotonin, and cortisol concentrations following oral administration of melatonin in castrated and intact dogs - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787817302575

PubMed Melatonin Therapeutic Research Summary
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term="Melatonin/therapeutic

Veterinary Medical Use Summary
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/melatonin

Melatonin for Dogs: Benefits, Safety, Dosage and More! - Veterinarians.org
https://www.veterinarians.org/melatonin-for-dogs/

General References

General Research References

Dosage References

1.0 to 1.3 mg/kg of body weight PO, every 12 hours
Effect of oral melatonin administration on sex hormone, prolactin, and thyroid hormone concentrations in adult dogs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10530323/

Melatonin was administered initially at 3-6 mg, every 12 h (to Pomeranians) … 62% of dogs had partial to complete hair re-growth.
Adrenal steroid hormone concentrations in dogs with hair cycle arrest (Alopecia X) before and during treatment with melatonin and mitotane
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15500479/

…. doses of melatonin ranging from 10 to 80 mg per kg of body weight were given.
Melatonin administration to dogs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7193238/

Treatment Option Considerations for Hyperadrenocorticism in Dogs - Clinical Endocrinology Service/College of Veterinary Medicine
Melatonin. Often used as a first treatment, especially if alopecia is present, since it is cheap, has few side effects and is available in health food stores or via nutrient suppliers on the internet. Typically, a dose of 3 mg is given q12hrs (BID) for dogs <30 lbs; a dose of 6 mg is given q12hrs (BID) for dogs > 30 lbs. See Plumb’s Handbook. Regular melatonin is usually used rather than rapid release or extended release products. Melatonin has anti-gonadotropic activity, and it inhibits aromatase enzyme in tissues (decreases androstenedione and testosterone conversion into estradiol) and 21-hydroxylase enzyme (lowers cortisol level).
https://vetmed.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/Treatment-Considerations.pdf

Dosage References

Hair Growth Benefits

Effects of Melatonin on Hair Growth:

Stimulates hair follicular development and normal hair growth cycle.
Improves hair growth and thickness in hail follicle dysplasia and hair follicle arrest disorders.
Reduce thin hair due to age-related alopecia.
Melatonin may help manage hair loss in dogs, particularly in breeds prone to hair loss or alopecia.

Related Medical Disorders Improved:

Increase hair growth
Follicular arrest syndrome
Follicular dysplasia
Seasonal recurrent flank alopecia
Alopecia X in Pomerainians = Black Skin Disease
Sex Hormone Alopecia
Sex hormone imbalance
Post Clipping Alopecia
Telogen/Anagen Defluxion or Effluvium
Reduces Shedding
Reduces Cushing’s Alopecia Symptoms

References

Melatonin for Dogs: Benefits, Safety, Dosage and More!
https://www.veterinarians.org/melatonin-for-dogs/

Melatonin in Dermatologic Allergic Diseases and Other Skin Conditions: Current Trends and Reports. Bešlić I, Lugović-Mihić L, Vrtarić A, Bešlić A, Škrinjar I, Hanžek M, Crnković D, Artuković M. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Feb 17;24(4):4039. doi: 10.3390/ijms24044039.
PMID: 36835450
Melatonin has cytoprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. Melatonin is also one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, directly acting on free radicals and the intracellular antioxidant enzyme system. Furthermore, it participates in antitumor activity, hypopigmentation processes in hyperpigmentary disorders, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulating activity in inflammatory dermatoses, maintaining the integrity of the epidermal barrier and thermoregulation of the body. Due predominantly to its positive influence on sleep, melatonin can be used in the treatment of sleep disturbances for those with chronic allergic diseases accompanied by intensive itching (such as atopic dermatitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria). According to the literature data, there are also many proven uses for melatonin in photoprotection and skin aging (due to melatonin's antioxidant effects and role in preventing damage due to DNA repair mechanisms), hyperpigmentary disorders (e.g., melasma) and scalp diseases (such as androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36835450/

References

Anti-Aging Benefits

Effects of Melatonin on Rejuvenating Anti-Aging:

Reducing inflammation: Melatonin may have anti-inflammatory effects, which could be beneficial for dogs with conditions such as arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.
Studies show that Melatonin can ease the symptoms of dogs with Cushing’s disease because it blocks the uptake of excess cortisol.
May help prevent age related bone loss

Related Medical Disorders Improved:

Reduce Cushing’s symptoms
Increase immune system
Reduce geriatric symptoms
Cushing’s Disease symptoms
Helps Old dog Dementia= Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome
Anti-inflammatory + Anti-arthritis + Anti-allergy
Supports bone density

References

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Calming Sleep, Brain & Nerve Support Benefits

Effects of Melatonin on Calming, Sleep, Brain & Nerves:

Reducing anxiety: Melatonin can have a calming effect on dogs and help reduce anxiety, particularly in stressful situations such as shelter dogs, traveling or fireworks.
> Melatonin can help regulate sleep patterns in dogs with sleep disorders, such as insomnia or circadian rhythm disorders.
>Melatonin for Seizure Management. The potential use and role of Melatonin in seizure occurrence and management is a relatively new research area.
> Melatonin can help with anesthesia induction and recovery.

Related Medical Disorders Improved:

Separation Anxiety
Barrier Frustration
OCD licking and chewing
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Anxiety
Shelter Dog Anxiety
Noise Phobia (Thunder/Fireworks)
Sleep disorders
Seizures

References

Melatonin for Dogs: Benefits, Safety, Dosage and More! - Veterinarians.org
https://www.veterinarians.org/melatonin-for-dogs/

Serum Melatonin Values in Normal Dogs and Dogs with Seizures
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30653360/

Preoperative calming effect of melatonin and its influence on propofol dose for anesthesia induction in healthy dogs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31351807/

References

Immune Support Benefits

Effects of Melatonin on Immune Support:

Reduces the Allergy immune reaction and may help restore the Epidermal Skin Barrier
Supporting the immune system: Like in humans, melatonin has antioxidant properties that may help boost the immune system and protect against various diseases in dogs.
Reducing inflammation: Melatonin may have anti-inflammatory effects, which could be beneficial for dogs with conditions such as arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.
Studies show that Melatonin can ease the symptoms of dogs with Cushing’s disease because it blocks the uptake of excess cortisol.

Related Medical Disorders Improved:

Allergy symptom reduction
Arthritis symptom reduction
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Cushing’s Syndrome

References

Anti-inflamatory benefits after eye surgery
Preliminary findings on the effect of melatonin on the clinical outcome of cataract surgery in dogs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25959258/

References

Anti-inflamatory benefits after eye surgery
Preliminary findings on the effect of melatonin on the clinical outcome of cataract surgery in dogs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25959258/

References

Anti-inflamatory benefits after eye surgery
Preliminary findings on the effect of melatonin on the clinical outcome of cataract surgery in dogs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25959258/

Cancer Support Benefits

Effects of Melatonin on Cancer:

Melatonin may help in the reduction of chemotherapy side-effects
Studies identify several potential cancer protective benefits of melatonin

References

Melatonin for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Li Y, Li S, Zhou Y, Meng X, Zhang JJ, Xu DP, Li HB.
Oncotarget. 2017 Jun 13;8(24):39896-39921. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.16379.
PMID: 28415828 Free PMC article. Review.
Melatonin could also be utilized as adjuvant of cancer therapies, through reinforcing the therapeutic effects and reducing the side effects of chemotherapies or radiation. Melatonin could be an excellent candidate for the prevention and treatment of several …
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28415828/

Neurobiological effects of melatonin as related to cancer
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18090123/

Protective effects of melatonin against physical injuries to testicular tissue: A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal models.
Dehdari Ebrahimi N, Shojaei-Zarghani S, Taherifard E, Dastghaib S, Parsa S, Mohammadi N, Sabet Sarvestani F, Moayedfard Z, Hosseini N, Safarpour H, Sadeghi A, Azarpira N, Safarpour AR. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Jan 31;14:1123999. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1123999. eCollection 2023. PMID: 36798664
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36798664/