# Melatonin Dosage

For Shibas (or at at least a 23lb dog)... is the general rule of thumb 1mg per 8-12 hours a decent dose of melatonin?

## Thread
In Health · started by tsukitsune · 8 replies
- **Category:** [Health](https://nihonken.org/community/c/health)
- **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/)

## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2009-05-06T21:57:04.000Z
For Shibas (or at at least a 23lb dog)... is the general rule of thumb 1mg per 8-12 hours a decent dose of melatonin?

## lindsayt · 2009-05-07T01:29:42.000Z
I think the tablets mine occasionally get are a 3mg form. I didn't think you could over do it, but LJ probably knows more about it.

## ljowen123 (moderator) · 2009-05-07T01:49:02.000Z
My vet says 3 mg is the max for a 24 hr period for Jazz's weight (19 lbs) - I give 1.2 mg on the days that I treat with melatonin. I have found a 300mcg version. Jazz receives 1-300mcg pill every morning as I am getting ready to leave.

## lindsayt · 2009-05-07T10:24:04.000Z
Did your vet say if there was an ill effect to taking more than 3 mg in 24 hours? Just curious if it was harmful.

## ljowen123 (moderator) · 2009-05-07T11:46:26.000Z
No, she didn't - I'll email her and see what she she says.

## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2009-05-07T11:59:36.000Z
I didn't want to overdo it. One 300mcg tab gets me to sleep! My dog is far less weight than I am... I'll be giving him one 300mcg per day. Thanks LJ!

## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2009-05-08T12:07:16.000Z
I gave Kitsu one 300mcg tab around 4pm yesterday. He actually did impressively well on our walk, even charged into the creek! He never does that! Around 7pm, though, he started to get anxious and overly-aware of people and such again. Could it have worn off that fast?

## ljowen123 (moderator) · 2009-05-08T12:15:36.000Z
300mcg lasts about 6-8 hours with Jazz, but she is not nearly as active as most shibas.

## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2009-05-08T12:21:41.000Z
Thats interesting.... I also ran out of hot dogs around 7:30 and solidified his reactions after that.. :( For the first hour and a half (5:30-7) his tail was up, he was trotting, he was sniffing people (from behind) he dove into the water! It was awesome! I kept giving him a hot dog piece and clicking. We're going to try it again though. THANKS LJ!

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