My dog is aggressive at the vet. Can melatonin help with anxiety?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 3 years and 3 months old | 16 lbs
Is melatonin okay to use before vet exam? Dog gets aggressive and anxious during vet visits.
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 1st, 2018
Hello, thank you for your question. I’m sorry to hear that visits to the vet are stressful for Luke. Yes, melatonin can be safely given to dogs. There are other medications that can also be used to help with anxiety prior to vet visits (gabapentin, Benadryl, acepromazine). I would recommend contacting your veterinarian to discuss which product they prefer and to get accurate dosing for Luke. Hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on January 25th, 2020
I agree with your vet, the melatonin would be best. Dogs, especially a large 70 pound dog, would take a very large dose of lorazepam or alprazolam. They metabolize those drugs quickly so a large dose is needed - a small dose would do nothing. While those drugs can be given to dogs, I suggest you ask your vet before giving either of those drugs since they have your dogs entire medical history. It is contraindicated to give Anipryl along with certain antidepressants, opioids and benzodiazepines.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on December 19th, 2016
I am sorry that your dog is having anxiety issues. Melatonin is used by some to treat anxiety. I have had success with Adaptil collar/diffuser and Composure treats. You could try them and see if they help. If not, talk to your vet about Prozac or Trazodone. Some dogs really do need medication to help. http://www.adaptil.com/us/ http://www.vetriscience.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=900780060
6Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on November 22nd, 2019
How about trying something like Trazodone instead? Trazodone works to increase Seratonin in the brain, and can cause relaxation and even mild sedation at high doses. I prefer to use this for cases of anxiety. If you choose to persist with Melatonin, I would use a reputable company like Thorne.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
My dog suffers from extreme anxiety. I hate the idea of putting him on an anti anxiety prescription. I have read about melatonin for anxiety in dogs. Is this safe to try first?
Romeo is due for his annual series of vaccines. This includes Bordatella. They’re gonna spread his shots out a week apart. He had bloody diarrhea last year when got all his shots together. But he also had new flea med that day. Not sure if it was str
My dog has anxiety seeing other dogs. He isn’t aggressive, he just wants to play. He whines, and sometimes barks but very rarely. We have a trip to fly to Vegas this summer. I heard Benadryl is safe for him for anxiety and motion sickness. Is this co
Dog is 37 pounds terrier mix. She is having anxiety issues and can have 5mg of melatonin. Can I give her another 5mg of melatonin. The anxiety is because she has not been with her regular owner
Hi, my husky has anxiety when it comes to loud noises and has developed a fear of the vet as well where she gets paranoid and a bit aggressive making it difficult to preform tests that she needs. We typically give her a benedryl before bad weather/fi
Is it okay if I give my dog melatonin
Can I give my dog Benadryl and Melatonin for anxiety at the same time. It’s raining really bad and hard. Hurricane Delta is heading out way.
My dog is suffering from severe separation anxiety, when we all leave the house he tries to break out and successfully got out of the house and yard. I’ve read that melatonin tablets can help dogs with anxiety and wanted a professional opinion, as we
My 7 yr old dog has separation anxiety issues. My Veterinarian recommended trying OTC Melatonin 3mg. Can someone recommend a particular brand of OTC Melatonin to purchase? I'm afraid Xylitol made be an ingredient that is not disclosed on the package.
My 14 year old black lab with cognitive canine dysfunction is on Anipryl which seems to be working fairly well. Sometimes though, he has breakthrough anxiety and my vet has suggested melatonin. Would it be OK to give him a small dose of Ativan or Xa
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
