10/06/2026
This has just came to our attention here in the office. If you have pets and you use Minoxidil please read this!
Minoxidil can be fatal to cats and dogs. Even very small amounts—such as a single lick of a treated scalp, skin, or pillowcase—can cause severe, life-threatening poisoning.
Why It Is Dangerous
• No Antidote: There is no specific antidote for minoxidil poisoning in pets.
• Low Blood Pressure: Minoxidil widens blood vessels, causing a dangerous drop in blood pressure (hypotension).
• Cat Sensitivity: Cats lack the specific liver enzymes (glucuronidation pathways) needed to process the medication, making them much more sensitive and likely to die from exposure than dogs.
• Hospitalization Rate: Nearly 98% of cats and dogs that show symptoms of minoxidil toxicity require emergency veterinary hospitalization.
Common Ways Pets Are Exposed
• Cats: Usually exposed by licking a human's treated hair, scalp, skin, or contaminated bedding/pillows.
• Dogs: Usually exposed by chewing on dropped product bottles, applicators, or rummaging through trash for discarded tissues and wipes.
Symptoms to Watch For
Symptoms can start within 30 minutes to a few hours after exposure:
• Extreme weakness or lethargy
• Vomiting or loss of appetite (anorexia)
• Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing (dyspnea)
• Low body temperature (hypothermia)
What to Do Immediately
If you suspect your pet has touched or ingested minoxidil, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away:
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
• Seek emergency veterinary care immediately; do not wait for symptoms to worsen.