Has your cat eaten some melatonin? Are you worried the melatonin will make your cat sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your kitty eats something she shouldn’t.
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In this article, we’ll take a look at what melatonin is and whether or not it can make your cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a natural hormone, which is used as a natural supplement to treat a wide range of health issues. For instance, it’s often used to treat sleep problems in humans. However, it does have some other health benefits, as well. It has several functions in the body, including:
- Inducing sleep
- Acts as an antioxidant
- Reduces skin damage caused by UV radiation (when applied topically)
- Regulates the immune system
- Can regulate the degenerative side effects caused by high levels of corticosteroids
- Reduces side effects and enhances chemotherapy & radiation therapy (promotes cancer cell death & the release of immune-modulating chemicals called cytokines)
- May be used to treat ADHD
- And more
What about melatonin and cats? Can melatonin make cats sick?
Melatonin & Cats
The good news is that melatonin is also used to treat certain health issues in cats and dogs. It’s sometimes used to treat sleep problems, Cushing’s disease, and other problems in animals. So, melatonin is generally considered safe for use in animals, including cats.
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However, it possible to have an overdose of melatonin, and it can have adverse reactions in some cats.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Melatonin Overdose & Adverse Reactions in Cats
You may notice these symptoms if your cat has eaten melatonin:
- Sleepiness (more than usual)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures (rare)
- May interact with other sedative medications
- Can cause liver damage in some cats
If your cat has eaten melatonin, she will probably be OK. However, it’s still a good idea to call the vet and let them know what’s happened. Try to figure out how much melatonin your kitty has eaten and give this information to the vet, along with the dosage for one pill.
The vet may advise letting your cat sleep off the melatonin. It usually leaves the system in about 24 hours. However, it’s still important to monitor your cat for any other symptoms that may arise during that time.
Always call the vet if you’re worried and/or your cat has developed new symptoms. Your vet will have the best information on what to do next to help your kitty.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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