Can sleeping pills kill my dog? Yes, they certainly can! There’s a lot of information about human drugs and their effect on your furry friends. We did our best to find the most reputable sources for that info and created this blog post for you.
We’ve researched almost 80 sleeping pills to determine if your dog can die. Some of these pills, if taken in high doses, can kill your pet, while some are safe even if taken in large amounts. The effects will also depend on how your dog reacts to medications and how much medication he takes at once.
To make it easier for you to find the information you’re looking for, we’ve split this article into two categories of medications – prescription sleeping pills and non-prescription sleeping pills. The non-prescription category includes natural sleep aides and supplements as well.
Some pills are safe for dogs to take, even if given inadvertently, and some may cause serious side effects. Many of the sleeping pills we discuss here are sedatives given to people for insomnia or better sleep.
Dogs have a much lower tolerance for sedatives (or pain relievers, as they’re sometimes called) than humans, so you should always take extra precautions when administering them to your pets.
Contents
7 noticeable symptoms of taking sleeping pills
Just like humans, your dog may experience side effects while on sleeping pills. These side effects can include:
1. Jumpy Erections – This can happen, especially when the dose is too high.
2. Fatigue – Your dog may become tired and sleepy after taking sleeping pills.
3. Difficulty in Completing a Task – Your dog may have trouble completing a task that requires a lot of mental energy, like jumping or playing Frisbee.
4. Hallucinations – Some pets see, hear, feel or smell things that aren’t there or may even believe insects or tiny creatures are invading their bodies.
5. Seizures – These are rare effects and usually happen when someone takes a sleeping pill that is too high for their body.
6. High Blood Pressure – Your dog may feel discomfort or pain in the joints and muscles after taking sleeping pills. This may be because of an increased heart rate and blood pressure.
7. Nausea – This can happen, especially when the dose is too high. If your dog becomes sick after taking a sleeping pill, you should contact your veterinarian promptly.
Can I give my dog human sleeping pills?
Human prescriptions and over-the-counter sleeping pills should not be given to pets unless a veterinarian recommends them. An overdose of sleeping pills meant for human use can cause serious side effects and even death in your pet.
While some prescription medications for insomnia are safe for dogs to take, others can cause serious health complications, especially when combined with other substances. Also, ensure that your pet doesn’t have any allergies to the ingredients in the drug before you give it to them.
What is a natural sedative for a dog?
Anxiety and hyperactivity are some of the most common problems that affect canines. Usually, the vet will prescribe medications for these conditions, but there are many natural sleep aids for dogs as well. Some sleep aides include melatonin, l-theanine, and lavender oil, which also have a calming effect on pets. Pet owners should consult a veterinarian before giving their dogs medication or supplements.
Is there a natural sleep aid for dogs?
“Pet parents can use melatonin (a naturally occurring hormone) and lavender oil to promote a good night’s rest–and help curb behavior issues like chewing, digging, barking and escape attempts. First, determine your dog’s sleep schedule. Do you have a late-rising pup? Then nighttime is the best time to administer melatonin. If your dog typically wakes up before dawn, it’s best to give the hormone during the day.”
Can dogs die from taking melatonin and l-theanine?
As we said before, all medications for human use are dangerous for dogs when given on their own. According to an article published in the Dog Health Guide, melatonin and l-theanine are safe to take when given with a veterinarian’s approval and other medications.
However, some reactions (not death) may occur when these medications are taken alone: “If you decide to give your dog l-theanine or melatonin, only do so after consulting your vet. It’s possible that these natural sleep aids could cause digestive tract upset, restlessness, and skin irritations in some dogs.
What is safe pain relief for dogs?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, help reduce swelling, stiffness, and joint pain in humans, and they can do the same for your dog. There are some available NSAIDs just for dogs:
- Carprofen (Novox or Rimadyl)
- Deracoxib (Deramaxx)
- Meloxicam (Metacam )
- Firocoxib (Previcox)
Final thought
Because it’s sold over the counter, it doesn’t mean it’s safe for your dog. Also, even if it says on the bottle that it’s safe for dogs and cats, this doesn’t mean that they can take a very high dose of that medication without suffering any side effects. It would help if you were always careful about the dosage and how susceptible your pet is to medications. Talk to your vet before giving any medication to your pet.
Sleeping pills for dogs can be very helpful in getting your dog to sleep better at night, but you should always weigh the risks against the benefits and make an informed decision when giving them to Fido! Good luck, and let us know in the comments section below if you have any questions.
