To help your dog sleep all night, establish a consistent bedtime routine with exercise and quiet time, create a comfortable space, and consider vet-approved calming aids like melatonin, L-theanine, chamomile, or CBD chews, but always consult your veterinarian first to ensure safety and proper dosage, as human products or incorrect amounts can be harmful.
Melatonin is commonly used as a sleep aid, and is sometimes used to treat certain hair disorders, cognitive dysfunction and separation anxiety in dogs, as well as sleep cycle disorders in dogs and cats. Generally, it is very safe, with lethargy and stomach upset being a potential issue in cases of overdose.
How to Get Your Dog to Sleep Through the Night?
The short answer is, yes! You can give a dog melatonin. But it's not something that you necessarily need to supplement everyday if there's not a need for it. So next, we'll talk about some reasons why we might consider supplementing with melatonin.
Prescription medications
If no underlying condition is identified or it has no specific treatment, sleep medications may be used. The most common type of sleep medication given to pets is diazepam (Valium®), although longer acting benzodiazepines may be used (eg temazepam).
While melatonin supplements are used to treat jet lag and sleep disorders in humans, some veterinarians also recommend them to help pets sleep. Melatonin is available at health food stores, but consult your vet for the correct dosage before administering it to your dog.
Give your dogs some toys to play with throughout the night, especially interactive puzzle toys that encourage dogs to hunt for bits of kibble, to prevent wake-up calls due to boredom. Spend quality time with your dog during the day. Allow your dog to sleep in or near your bedroom on a bed of their own.
In those cases, your veterinarian may prescribe medications like Gabapentin (anti-anxiety), Amitriptyline (an anti-depressant), Fluoxetine (an SSRI), or Melatonin (a sleep/calming aid). For pet parents that prefer herbal remedies, CBD, L-Tryptophan, Zylkene, or Rescue Remedy may do the trick.
Try Sleep Aids
Some dog owners have found success with different types of sleep aids. Things like melatonin, CBD supplements, and dog chews use natural ingredients that are said to help calm dogs down.
It's best not to give your dog melatonin supplements made for people. Human products can contain ingredients that are harmful to pets, like xylitol. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that's toxic to dogs. Instead, ask your veterinarian to recommend a melatonin supplement that's safe for dogs.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
Gradually increase the time before taking them out each night until they learn to hold it longer. If the dog is eliminating right away but waking up at predictable times, try gradually delaying wake-up time by 10–15 minutes per night to shift them toward morning potty trips.
While Benadryl is otherwise generally safe and well-tolerated in dogs, it can cause drowsiness. Some Benadryl products may also contain Tylenol, so you should always read the ingredient list.
Melatonin is known for its role in helping people sleep, but this hormone also affects animals. Although research is limited, melatonin supplements are generally believed to be safe for dogs, and veterinarians may suggest melatonin supplements to help dogs with sleep problems, behavioral issues, and medical conditions.
How to stop your dog waking you up early in the morning
There are limited reports of side effects of melatonin in dogs. So when giving melatonin to your dog, monitor them for potential side effects that are sometimes seen in humans. These may include: Dizziness.
Using Over-the-Counter Sedatives
Melatonin is a Natural Canine Sleep Aid
It is one of the most natural techniques you can use to make your dog sleep. Just like humans, dogs produce melatonin naturally as a hormone regulating their sleep-wake cycles. You can also give your dog melatonin to support their sleep-wake cycles.
Conclusion. Over-the-counter medications are a viable option for treating dog anxiety. Some of the best OTC anti-anxiety medications include Benadryl, Dramamine, and Melatonin. Many of the OTC medications for anxious dogs are for humans but most of them are safe for use in dogs.
You can also supplement your dog's diet with foods that contain melatonin, such as eggs and fish. These methods are all pretty safe to do without taking to your veterinarian. But if think your dog could benefit from more melatonin, talk to your veterinarian about a supplement.
The dog breeds that are more likely to have this problem are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shorthaired Pointer.
Vasudevan. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate sleep. “It's safe for dogs in appropriate doses, and it's often used for dogs with anxiety, noise sensitivity, or sleep disorders,” Dr. Vasudevan adds.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
Your dog may be waking up at night because they need to go to the bathroom, are seeking attention, or have an underlying medical condition. Try letting them out one last time before bed, leaving toys out for them at night, or talking to your veterinarian for advice.
Cobbing in dogs is a gentle nibbling behavior, often with the front teeth, that resembles a person nibbling corn off a cob; it's usually a sign of affection, grooming, play, or a way to seek attention, but can also indicate boredom, anxiety, or stress, often seen in calm moments or as a self-soothing habit from puppyhood. While generally harmless and a form of social bonding or grooming, excessive cobbing might signal underlying issues like boredom, skin problems, or anxiety, requiring attention.