By Carrie Hyde, The Spaw Pet Life Coach | March 18, 2023
When someone mentions melatonin, most people think about sleep. But the truth is, this hormone does a lot more for the body than you might think. And one of the more recent discoveries concerning melatonin is that it plays a powerful role in controlling the allergic reactivity of the immune system.
Today, we look at the role of melatonin in the body, including where it’s produced and what it does. From here, we’ll discuss the role this hormone plays in the immune system and what makes it such a powerful ally in the fight against allergies in dogs and cats. We’ll also talk about how you can use melatonin at home to help your pet find relief from atopic dermatitis caused by food and topical allergies.
The Role of Melatonin in the Body
Melatonin is most well-known for its role in helping the body regulate a normal sleep-wake cycle. When exposed to darkness, the pineal gland in the brain secretes large amounts of melatonin. Other parts of the body also secret melatonin in darkness. In this way, this hormone helps synchronize the entire body to the same schedule.
But recent research has shed more light on this mysterious chemical. We now know that melatonin is produced in higher quantities in other parts of the body than it is in the brain. We also know that its roles go far beyond regulating sleep.
Where Is It Produced?
The melatonin produced in the brain enters the bloodstream and cycles through the body. But researchers now know that this hormone is made by various organs and cells in other parts of the body, as well.
In fact, skin and hair follicles make melatonin in higher quantities than what is produced by the brain. The gut, which develops from the same cells as the skin also produces an impressive amount of melatonin. The kidneys, retinas, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells can make this hormone when needed but do so in lower amounts.
What Does It Do?
Why so many organs produce melatonin is still somewhat of a mystery. One simple explanation is the fact that this hormone is a highly active and effective antioxidant. It readily neutralizes free radicals in the body and acts to influence the activity of the intracellular antioxidant enzyme system. In humans and dogs, it also shows anti-apoptotic and cytoprotective effects, meaning it may help prevent cellular damage.
But what really makes melatonin an interesting hormone for pet owners to know about is the role it plays in the immune system.
Recent research has revealed that melatonin has immunomodulatory effects. It appears to be especially active in preventing immune-mediated inflammation in the skin. While this process is still not well understood, we do know that leukocytes and lymphocytes, two major cell types active in immune response, have melatonin receptors. Most likely, melatonin helps reduce inflammation by inducing lymphocytes to create more IL-4, a chemical that inhibits the function of pro-inflammatory immune cells.
All this is to say that melatonin plays a vital role in supporting normal immune function while reducing overactive inflammation responses. The effects of this are seen very clearly in the skin and gut, where melatonin levels are the highest.
Melatonin and Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is the result of a hyperactive immune system with overactive proinflammatory pathways. In dogs, this problem usually begins in the gut where low-quality food, stress, and disease cause inflammation that leads to leaky gut syndrome. As foreign particles pass into the bloodstream, mast cells react to isolate the perceived invaders causing a chain reaction of mast cell activation. Since most mast cells exist in the gut and on the skin, this results in digestive upset and chronic skin inflammation.
Research into melatonin’s role in skin inflammation adds another layer to this process. The reason some dogs and cats experience atopic dermatitis while others in the same house on the same feed do not may be a matter of natural melatonin production.
Studies in humans and animal models have demonstrated that those with atopic dermatitis are far more likely to have lower than normal serum melatonin levels. This fact is why many believe melatonin can help people and pets overcome debilitating skin allergy symptoms. In recent years, this theory has been tested by science with impressive results.
Studies in humans have proven that melatonin dosing can be used to reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms, including itching, redness, and sores. In dogs, melatonin has been used successfully to reduce the appearance of skin melanosis, a common complication of chronic skin allergies.
Using Melatonin to Help Your Pet Find Allergy Relief
Surprisingly—or not, depending on your familiarity with the pharmaceutical world—melatonin, an over-the-counter supplement, is rarely prescribed for atopic dermatitis. This is true in both humans and dogs, despite the many studies proving its usefulness.
Melatonin is often used to help dogs and cats sleep better, however. And is occasionally been prescribed for seasonal alopecia in dogs. Because of these uses, we know that it is well tolerated by most individuals and has no serious side effects when used as recommended. Though, it should be noted that melatonin can disrupt hormone cycles and should not be used in breeding animals.
For melatonin use in dogs, most vets recommend 3 mg for dogs under 30 pounds and 6 mg for dogs over 30 lbs. When used to treat allergic dermatitis, give this dose twice daily, about 12 hours apart. We recommend starting with half the above dose for the first week, then jumping up to the full dose if your dog tolerates it well.
For cats, melatonin dose ranges from 1.5 mg to 6 mg depending on the cat’s size and the severity of symptoms. When used for dermatitis, the dose should be repeated every 12 hours. Just like in dogs, start by giving your cat half the recommended dose for the first week to make sure they tolerate melatonin well.
Of course, we recommend talking to your veterinarian before trying melatonin for your pet. The best option is a melatonin supplement made specifically for dogs and cats. Human supplements can also be used so long as they contain no xylitol or other ingredients known to be toxic to pets. Continue use until symptoms improve then reduce dose for maintenance and to prevent symptoms from recurring.
Sources
Bešlić, I., Lugović-Mihić, L., Vrtarić, A., Bešlić, A., Škrinjar, I., Hanžek, M., Crnković, D., & Artuković, M. (2023). Melatonin in Dermatologic Allergic Diseases and Other Skin Conditions: Current Trends and Reports. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(4), 4039.
Szczepanik, M. (2007). Melatonin and its influence on immune system. Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 58 Suppl 6, 115–124.
By Carrie Hyde, The Spaw Pet Life Coach | March 18, 2023
Written for The Spaw by Sara Seitz, Professional Freelance Writer, and Novelist with Pen and Post
Carrie Hyde is the founder, owner, and Pet Life Coach of The Spaw in Tustin, CA. Carrie’s extensive experience and understanding of pet nutrition and coaching enabled her to create The Spawdcast, a podcast dedicated to educating pet parents and pet industry professionals on ALL the options available to their pets. Her mission is to open pet-owners eyes to the questions they may not even know to ask, to shine a light on the many myths that have been part of pet care for decades, and to offer whole solutions for their pets. Carrie Hyde is a certified pet nutritionist with the goal of helping pet parents & pet professionals with a new understanding of how to care for pets in a “whole and natural” way.
