Melatonin for Cats
We all like to think we deeply understand our feline companions. However, no matter how long you’ve had your cat, or how well you think you know it, there are always some ailments it might be suffering from that will slip through the cracks.
One of the reasons why melatonin for cats is so popular is that it works for both humans and dogs. You’re probably wondering if it’s a good idea to give the same stuff for your cat as your dog. However, before we get there, we should try to gain a better understanding of what melatonin is and how it relates to cats.
Melatonin for Cats Comparison Table
| Product Name | Ingredients | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid Plus | L-Tryptophan, Chamomile, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ginger and Melatonin | Click Here |
| Nature’s Miracle Just for Cats Calming Spray | Water, Herbal Extracts, Flower Extracts, Plant Seed Extracts, Essential Oils, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl, Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben | Click Here |
| NaturVet Quiet Moments Gel for Cats | L-Tryptophan, Chamomile, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ginger and Melatonin | Click Here |
Why is Melatonin Good for Kittys?
Melatonin is actually pretty natural, and is already produced by the bodies of mammals. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, which is located at the base of our brain. You can think of it as a form of regulation for our internal clock. It basically helps to maintain everything from our sleep cycles to your overall circadian rhythms. Melatonin has a calming effect on the body, acting as a general sedative for the body.
The reasons why melatonin would be beneficial for cats are just about the same as the reasons why it is beneficial for humans and other mammals. For a cat, the most important phenomenon melatonin is used to combat is the disruption of sleep patterns.
Sleep is an important aspect of a cat’s life. In fact, a cat will spend up to two thirds of its life just sleeping. This, however, can be disrupted by things that bring your cat stress. Some things that might cause your cat stress include trauma, a change in environment, or the introduction of another pet or animal in the cat’s environment.
Melatonin can be used in many instances where your cat is showing stress systems. The underlying causes could be anything, and you should definitely take your cat to the vet for a checkup to determine what might be wrong. In the interim, however, melatonin can help to alleviate this stress. Other signs of stress, apart from sleep deprivation, include hair loss and digestion problems. If your cat tends to excessively groom itself, and loses hair as a result, then it is probably under stress. Melatonin can actually help your cat regrow its fur in this case.
The sedative qualities of melatonin can also come in handy in other instances. If your cat shows general signs of hyperactivity or aggressiveness, it might be beneficial to administer a healthy dose of melatonin. There is also the case of older cats. As a cat ages, it experiences the same kind of cognitive dysfunction that humans experience. This can severely affect its sleep patterns. Giving your elderly cat melatonin will help it regulate its internal clock and keep things a little more stable and balanced.
Melatonin supplements for cats come in many forms. These include, but are not limited to, liquid capsules, chewy treats, sprays and tablets. Here are some that you might like:
Sprays are a great alternative to tablets and capsules, and Natures Miracle Just for Cats Calming Spray is a good example. Most sprays actually don’t contain melatonin. They contain other active ingredients which work together to reproduce the effects of melatonin.
Nature’s Miracle, however, contains natural melatonin as an active ingredient and is known to be a powerful spray as a result. It also has some extra ingredients with sedative properties.
Pros
- Product is in spray form making dispensing easy.
- Effects are long lasting, compared to other sprays.
- It is safe to use around pets and children.
Cons
- It is hard to control the dosage.
NaturVet is well known in the supplement industry as a good producer of melatonin supplements. This particular product is in the form of chewable treats and contains a wide array of other ingredients that work together to strengthen the effect of melatonin.
Quiet Moments works as an effective relaxant that calms your cat down during particularly intense moments of anxiety. These include such things as periods of loud noises, such as thunderstorms, or periods when there is a lot more activity than your cat might be used to, such as a party. With NaturVet, your cat is guaranteed to calm down when you need it to.
Pros
- Highly effective.
- Affordable for most budgets.
Cons
- It might be difficult to actually get your cat to take the chewy tablets.
This product comes in the form of a gel instead of the more common tablets and capsules. It has the advantage of being cheaper than comparable tablets and capsules and also containing the same natural ingredients that NaturVet is known for.
The product is to be administered twice daily, or as needed. It also happens to be safe for use so you can easily sneak it into the cat’s foods. Remember, however, not to give it to kittens that are younger than 12 weeks.
Pros
- Affordable for any budget.
- Contains natural ingredients, including ginger.
- Ideal for calming cats during travel.
- Safe for use around all pets.
Cons
- Can be difficult to actually get your cat to eat the gel.
Melatonin Dosage for Cats
Melatonin is sold in the form of supplements and can be purchased over the counter. You do not require a prescription to purchase and administer it to your pet. It is still a good idea, however, to consult your vet about the underlying issues affecting your pet and discuss whether melatonin is advisable. In some rare cases, the administration of melatonin can actually make matters worse.
Despite the fact that melatonin is widely and freely available, the correct dosage really depends on the cat. Things like breed, age, underlying causes of stress, and even the individual cat’s biology can affect what the appropriate dosage is. You should also be careful about the kind of supplement you buy. Melatonin comes in many forms. It can be bought for different kinds of pets, other than cats, and also for humans. It is therefore important to get melatonin for cats in the form of supplements that were specifically made to for cats.
The accepted dosage, when it comes to melatonin for cats, is 0.75 mg per dosage. This is a good starting point from which you can step up the dosage as needed. Expect some side effects to occur, such the loss of weight and extreme lethargy. Melatonin can also cause your cat to react negatively to other forms of medication. It could even react negatively to the melatonin itself.
Cats can experience stress just like any other mammal. This stress can bring them great discomfort and even fuel the emergence of other ailments. It’s important to be in tune with what your cat is going through and do whatever you can to make sure it is always comfortable.
By giving it a healthy dosage and taking it to the vet regularly, you can let your cat know just how much you care. Remember, however, that melatonin for cats is not a silver bullet that you can use in any circumstance.
Wrapping up
You should always make taking your cat to the vet your first priority. The underlying causes for your cat’s stress can sometimes be too great to be stopped by melatonin. Your cat might also be allergic to the substance, which means that giving it melatonin supplements will only make things worse. Ultimately, a good mix of visits to the vets and healthy supplements will keep your cat happy, healthy, and stress-free.
