Minoxidil and Cats: Is Minoxidil Toxic to Pets?
If you’re here, you probably already know minoxidil (generic for Rogaine®) can be a useful tool for maintaining healthy hair growth for those with alopecia (the medical term for hair loss).
But just because minoxidil can potentially help humans doesn’t mean it’s beneficial for animals. Wondering about minoxidil and cats? Minoxidil is toxic to cats, dogs, and other pets. Exposing them to the topical solution can lead to serious or even life-threatening complications, even in small amounts.
You don’t necessarily need to avoid minoxidil altogether if you have pets. Still, it’s extremely important to take precautions to make sure your pets don’t come into contact with it.
Key takeaways about minoxidil and cats:
Minoxidil is toxic to household pets, such as cats and dogs. Even small amounts can be harmful.
Minoxidil may help humans regrow hair or slow hair loss, but that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for animals.
Store minoxidil somewhere your pets won’t be able to reach it, and wash your hands immediately after applying it. Be particularly cognizant of containers discarded in any garbage bins your pets are able to access.
Below, we’ll explain the symptoms of minoxidil poisoning in cats and dogs and look at ways to keep your pet safe.
Is Minoxidil Toxic to Cats?
Minoxidil can be toxic to cats, dogs, and other pets. Even small amounts of minoxidil exposure can potentially lead to serious illness or death in animals.
In a 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers examined 68 cases of cats and 26 cases of dogs exposed to minoxidil. None of the dogs and 14.7 percent of the cats died from the exposure.
Since all the animals that died were cats, the researchers hypothesised that this might suggest minoxidil is more toxic to cats than dogs.
There isn’t much other research on the subject. However, in a 2021 review, researchers found 211 cases of minoxidil exposure in cats and dogs in the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center database.
Out of those 211 cases, 87 animals, which included 62 cats, developed clinical signs of minoxidil poisoning.
The cats showed symptoms of minoxidil poisoning even if they’d only been exposed to small amounts. Among the cats that developed symptoms, almost 60 percent developed moderate or major illnesses, and eight of the 62 cats died.
The researchers found that the most common way cats were exposed to minoxidil was by accidentally coming into contact with it. This could happen if your cat licks your skin or pillowcase or gets splashed with some minoxidil solution when applying the product to your scalp.
Can I Use Minoxidil If I Have a Cat?
You can use minoxidil if you have a cat — you’ll just need to be super careful not to expose your pet to the solution.
Minoxidil comes in different formulations, and each type may cause various types of health problems for your pet, depending on how they’re exposed. For example, ingestion may cause different side effects than topical minoxidil exposure (dermal exposure). Higher amounts of minoxidil may also cause more serious side effects.
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Is Minoxidil Toxic to Dogs?
What about minoxidil and dogs? As we just looked at, minoxidil is also toxic to dogs.
In the 2021 review mentioned earlier, the researchers found 25 cases of dogs developing symptoms after coming into contact with minoxidil. Of those dogs, 56 percent developed moderate or major illness.
Unlike with cats, dogs seem to most often come into contact with minoxidil through exploratory behavior. This could include going through your trash and finding the empty bottle, for instance.
Symptoms of Minoxidil Poisoning in Cats and Dogs
Symptoms of minoxidil poisoning can onset within 30 minutes of exposure in cats or dogs. It can potentially trigger low blood pressure that causes cardiovascular damage or death.
A 2022 case report highlights one cat that was exposed to minoxidil and experienced:
Lethargy
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Loss of appetite
These symptoms lasted for two days before the owner brought their pet in for examination.
A physical exam found that the cat had:
Hypothermia (low body temperature)
Tachypnoea (rapid breathing)
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Bilateral pulmonary crackles (sounds coming from the lungs)
In this case, the cat made a full recovery and was discharged after six days.
As for dogs, there’s a 2018 case report of a dog that swallowed minoxidil 5% foam.
After ingesting the topical treatment, the dog’s symptoms included:
Vomiting
Lethargy
Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
Hypotension
More good news here. After treatment, the dog made a full recovery in four days.
Minoxidil Poisoning in Cats vs. Dogs
Cats may be more likely to develop serious or life-threatening cardiovascular complications than dogs when exposed to minoxidil. This may be partially because cats typically have a lower body weight and lack pathways to efficiently break down the chemical.
Although it’s out of scope for his article, it’s worth noting that minoxidil may be harmful for other household pets.
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How to Keep Your Pet Safe When Using Minoxidil
Having a pet doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t use minoxidil, but it does mean that you need to be cautious.
Here are some ways you can keep your pet safe if you’re using minoxidil to treat hair loss:
Wash your hands thoroughly after using minoxidil.
Keep your pet in a different room when applying minoxidil, and clean up any spillages after use.
Don’t put minoxidil containers in areas where your pet may knock them over, and always properly seal the containers after use. Your best bet might be to keep minoxidil in a cupboard your pet can’t get into, like a medicine cabinet.
Don’t let your pet lick your scalp or other areas where minoxidil may be on your skin.
Wash your pillowcase regularly, and keep your pet off your pillow. You might think about keeping your bedroom door closed.
When throwing out minoxidil packaging, put it in a trash that your pet can’t get into. Consider also putting it in a sealed bag or container inside the garbage.
In the 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the researchers found that 55 out of the 57 exposures reported in cats occurred due to inadvertent contact, such as licking human skin or bedding.
In a 2024 case study, researchers reported a cat that knocked over a bottle and then licked the minoxidil that spilt onto its fur.
If your pet comes into contact with minoxidil or you notice them develop any strange symptoms, it’s critical to get in touch with a vet straight away.
Minoxidil Alternatives to Avoid Pet Exposure
If you’re worried about your dog or cat coming into contact with topical minoxidil, you can consider other hair loss treatments.
Here are a few of your options:
Oral finasteride. Finasteride (generic for brand-name Propecia®) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). It can potentially slow down hair loss and promote new hair growth. Oral finasteride comes in tablet form, meaning you can’t accidentally spill it on your pet and they can’t lick it off your scalp or pillowcase. As with any medication, be sure to keep your finasteride bottle in a cupboard your pet can’t access.
Oral minoxidil. Oral minoxidil isn’t FDA-approved for hair loss, but it’s often prescribed off-label for this purpose. Off-label means a drug is prescribed for something it isn’t approved to treat. Again, taking a tablet — instead of using over-the-counter minoxidil solution, foam, or spray — means you may be able to keep it away from your pet more easily.
Supplements and hair oils. Hair care supplements and hair oils can’t necessarily stop hair loss, but they can keep your hair as healthy as possible. Biotin gummies, for example, contain B vitamins and other nutrients to help hair grow thicker and stronger.
Whichever option you choose, the best practice is to keep your pet away from any hair medication, supplement, or topical product.
What to Do If Your Pet Is Exposed to Minoxidil
It’s vital to take quick action if you believe your pet has been exposed to minoxidil or another toxic substance. Symptoms may onset rapidly, within minutes to hours.
If your pet may have ingested something harmful, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends calling one of these resources:
Your pet’s veterinarian
An emergency veterinary clinic or animal hospital
The Animal Poison Control Center hotline (888-426-4435)
The Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661)
It’s helpful to have the following information handy when you call:
Your pet’s breed, age, sex, and weight
Their symptoms
The amount and name of the substance your pet may have been exposed to
The product container or packaging
How much time has passed since they ingested it
If possible, it’s a good idea to collect any material your pet vomited or chewed. Place it in a plastic sealable bag to take with you wherever they receive veterinary treatment.
Once you seek help, avoid inducing vomiting unless specifically told to by your pet’s vet. And, of course, follow any other instructions they may give you.
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Minoxidil and Cats and Dogs: Summing It Up
Minoxidil can be a highly useful product for hair regrowth in humans, but it’s harmful for cats and dogs. Under no circumstances should you ever intentionally apply it to your pet’s skin or hair or let them ingest it.
Here’s what pet owners need to know about minoxidil and cats:
Minoxidil can be toxic for cats and dogs. Minoxidil toxicity can happen even with small amounts of exposure, like drops or licks. It can cause serious illness, heart failure, and death. Look out for lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, or difficulty breathing.
Take extra care when using minoxidil. Keep your pet away from minoxidil on your scalp, pillowcase, and the bottle itself. When applying minoxidil, take extra care not to spill any on or near your pet, and keep the bottle in a secure place.
Other hair loss treatments are available. You can use minoxidil and be super cautious to ensure your pet doesn’t come into contact with it. But if you’re concerned — or have a very curious pet that gets into things — you can look into other hair loss treatments like oral finasteride or oral minoxidil.
If you’re already using the treatment, it never hurts to be extra careful with minoxidil use around your furry friend.
If you’ve noticed a receding hairline, balding, or hair thinning, you’ve got plenty of options for hair loss treatments. Being a dog or cat owner doesn’t necessarily mean minoxidil can’t be one of these options.
With our online assessment, you can connect with a hair expert and discover the best hair loss treatment for you.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.