Can you give dogs melatonin? Experts advice on helping your dog get to sleep.

Sleepless nights? We've all been there. Maybe the headlines keep you tossing and turning, or noise from the streets outside. Whatever the reason, many advise a melatonin gummy or two to help for a more restful sleep.

The hormone, which can help induce a certain drowsiness can also be used to treat insomnia for your dog. But the rules aren't exactly the same.

Here's everything you need to know about giving your dog melatonin.

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Can you give dogs melatonin?

Yes. "We absolutely have pet parents use melatonin specifically for dogs, especially for some certain disease states" Dr. Whitney Miller, Petco's chief veterinarian told USA Today.

"We definitely want them to talk to their veterinarian before using that type of over the counter remedy," Miller explains, though it's not as simple as just sharing a jar of melatonin gummies with your pup.

It's important for owners to also take a look at the underlying conditions that might be causing their dog to suffer restless nights. "A lot of times if a pet is not sleeping normally, especially a pet that did have normal sleep patterns... it's most likely that there's something going on whether it be anxiety or something that's changed with their physical health," Miller says.

How much melatonin can you give a dog?

There is no one answer.

Even though you can buy melatonin over the counter, you should always consult your veterinarian to find out the appropriate dosage for your pet, the American Kennel Club advises, as there may be a specific prescription they have in mind.

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Can dogs overdose on melatonin?

Miller writes for Petco that a melatonin overdose is highly uncommon for dogs, though not impossible. Be sure to follow instructions closely and keep an eye out for itching or confusion, which can be signs that your dog is having a bad reaction to the hormone.

What does melatonin do to dogs?

Melatonin can help dogs to sleep better just like it does for humans. It can also help ease anxiety.

Melatonin is, however, not without its down sides. "It can cause some other side effects, especially if your dog is already on medication," Miller explains. "There is risk for specific medications causing interactions with melatonin."

There are plenty of alternatives that can be used as calming aids for canines, Miller advises. Especially if the source of the anxiety is something specific like a thunderstorm, there are products like Thunder shirts, for these nuanced individual behaviors, she says.

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Does melatonin make dogs sleepy?

Yes, melatonin is a "sleepiness hormone," Miller writes in an article for Petco.

However, this is not its only use. Melatonin can also be used to treat your dog's anxiety, seasonal alopecia, Cushing’s Disease, or epilepsy.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can you give dogs melatonin? Expert advice to help your dog sleep.