4 Home Checks When You Use Minoxidil and Have Pets

A hair treatment has to fit the home where you use it. If your cat sleeps on your pillow or your dog investigates the bathroom bin, include those habits when reviewing a minoxidil routine.

Four places to check

1. Storage and application space. Store the medicine where pets cannot reach it, including opening a cabinet. Keep pets out of the room during application and cleanup.¹
2. Hands and surfaces. Wash your hands with soap after applying it. Clean spills from counters, floors and other surfaces with soap and water, then rinse well.¹
3. Used items and containers. Prevent access to tissues, cotton swabs, empty bottles and other contaminated waste. Use disposal arrangements pets cannot raid.¹
4. Hair and bedding. Prevent pets from licking or snuggling against treated hair and from lying on your pillow or bed. Ask your veterinarian for help if these are established habits.¹

Ask about the part you cannot manage

Walk through your routine before the next appointment: where you apply the product, what you use, where it goes afterwards and where your pets spend time. Bring the specific problem to the conversation.

If you are worried that the setup is not workable, discuss another hair-treatment option with your dermatologist. Never apply human minoxidil to a pet’s thinning fur.¹

You can keep the veterinarian’s number with your medication information so you know whom to contact if there is a concern. Ask everyone who handles the product to review the household arrangements with you.

Hair, Everywhere includes a Pick-It method match and visit script cards. Use them to organize the treatment questions you want to discuss. See the book.