Essential Oils and Melatonin as Functional Ingredients in Dogs

August 2022 in “ Animals ”

Domingo Ruiz-Cano, Ginés Sánchez-Carrasco, Amina El Mihyaoui, Marino B. Arnao

essential oils melatonin seasonal alopecia hair regrowth skin health EOs

TLDR Essential oils may improve dogs' health and melatonin can help with their sleep and anxiety, but both should be used carefully.

The review discusses the potential health benefits of essential oils (EOs) and melatonin in dogs. EOs, plant-based compounds, have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic properties, and can regulate metabolic functions. They have been used to improve general health and specific therapies for liver, renal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, muscular-joint, and skin health in dogs. Melatonin, a hormone regulating sleep-wake cycles, has potential beneficial effects in various diseases and disorders. It has been used to treat seasonal alopecia, anxiety, and sleep disorders in dogs. In one study, a Boxer dog showed partial hair regrowth in 2 months and complete regeneration at 4 months after receiving 6 mg of melatonin per day. However, results have been inconsistent in other studies. Both EOs and melatonin should be used with proper regulation due to potential side effects.

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research Estrogen Receptor Evaluation in Pomeranian Dogs with Hair Cycle Arrest (Alopecia X) on Melatonin Supplementation

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research On the Role of Melatonin in Skin Physiology and Pathology

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research Adrenal Steroid Hormone Concentrations in Dogs with Hair Cycle Arrest (Alopecia X) Before and During Treatment with Melatonin and Mitotane

52 citations, October 2004 in “Veterinary dermatology”

Melatonin and mitotane treatment led to hair re-growth in 62% of dogs with Alopecia X, but this was not always linked to normal hormone levels.

Melatonin Increases Anagen Hair Rate in Women With Androgenetic Alopecia or Diffuse Alopecia: Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

research Melatonin Increases Anagen Hair Rate in Women With Androgenetic Alopecia or Diffuse Alopecia: Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

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research Concurrent Follicular Dysplasia and Interface Dermatitis in Boxer Dogs

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