Identification

• Melatonin is a nutraceutical, or a nutritional supplement that can give health benefits. Melatonin may be used alone or with other nutraceuticals, according to holistic veterinarian Dr. Jenny Taylor.
  
  

Speculation

• Melatonin was tried on dogs with seizures because it calms very frightened dogs, such as those with a thunderstorm phobia. It also has been shown to help epileptic rats.
  
  

Advantages

• Dr. Taylor claims that melatonin can reduce canine seizures without the harsh liver-damaging side effects of phenobarbital, the most prescribed drug for dogs with epilepsy.
  
  

Disadvantages

• There have not been any clinical studies of melatonin on epileptic dogs. Even though melatonin use is recommended by the Canine Epileptic Guardian Angels support network, the organization does so based on what owners of epileptic dogs have told them.
  
  

Combination

• Melatonin may help epileptic dogs that also have changes in diet and are given chiropractic care or acupuncture, according to Dr. Taylor. She also says not to give a dog melatonin until consulting with a vet.