All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors.
However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through links in this article.
Cat people such as myself will sacrifice anything for their pets.
Source image: Getty; Illustration: Ingrid Fowler
These sacrifices are well worth it for the love we get in exchange.
Said plainly: Exposure to Rogaine could kill your cat.
I did, so I decided to stick it out without minoxidil and focus on scalp health.
Elizabeth Denton
Despite that, seeing minoxidil on the toxic list had me stewing.
Why didnt any medical providers with whom Id discussed hair loss warn me about the risk to pets?
Well, they might not have known back then how high the risk for pets really is.
That study examined 211 cases of dogs and cats with topical minoxidil exposure.
Cats appear to be at the highest risk for toxicity.
I didnt receive a response by the time this story was published.)
You might be thinking, Well, I would never put minoxidil on my pet!
In reality, that’s not how cats usually come into contact with their owners' minoxidil.
What about oral minoxidil?
Basically, dont let your pet eat minoxidil pills.
I still wouldnt risk taking it with Buffy around.
I urge other pet parents to do the same.
Unfortunately, theres not enough information currently on how much your pet would have to ingest to become ill.
In that study, some cats werent affected by exposure to minoxidil, but its unclear exactly why.
Im worrying about the possibility of my hair thinning once again.
For one, Im 40 years old, acommon agewhen peoples hair starts thinning.
I also havescalp psoriasis, which already impacts my hair density in certain areas.
You have tobe carefulabout using topical steroids long-term, so I usePhilip B. Anti-Flake Relief Shampoo Liteon alternate washdays.
Im also upping my protein intake, which somestudieshave shown can help reduce hair loss when youre losing weight.
Shes excited bytopical caffeineas an ingredient and calls it one of the most promising minoxidil alternatives.
Her favorite products containing caffeine areThe Ordinary Multi-Peptide Hair SerumandVegamours GROhair serum.
[Dr. Nathan is a consultant for Vegamour.]
The in-office procedure uses one’s own blood to stimulate sleepy follicles, she explains.
Im only willing to go down that route if I see serious hair loss.
Its possible that none of my hair growth efforts will work.
Id rather have no hair than risk the health of my beloved cat.
More on hair loss:
Now, watch Brooke Shields do her hair routine:
