A Florida man is warning pet owners about the dangers of minoxidil after his two-year-old cat, Halo, died within 24 hours of being exposed to the hair-growth medication. Halo frequently appeared in his TikTok videos and was described as a major part of his life. According to the man’s account, the cat developed congestive heart failure after coming into contact with minoxidil.
The story was shared on the man’s TikTok account, NotJustin, under the username @notjustinsutherland. The post received several million views and more than 11,000 comments, with many pet owners saying they were only learning about the potential danger of minoxidil from the video.
The man said he had not known that minoxidil could be highly toxic to cats and dogs, even in very small amounts. He warned that residue left on a person’s fingers could potentially be transferred to a pet through contact. He also urged people who use minoxidil on their hair to consider the risk of residue getting onto their pets, bedding or other surfaces.
Halo’s condition worsened quickly. The cat became lethargic, stopped eating and drinking, stopped using the restroom and began lying in unusual places. The owner contacted a veterinarian within a few hours of noticing the changes, but the treatment came too late.
The experience led the Florida man to share Halo’s story as a warning to other pet owners. He encouraged people who use minoxidil to wash their hands thoroughly after applying it, keep the medication away from animals and clean items that may have come into contact with the product. He also expressed frustration that he had not known about the potential danger before Halo was exposed.
The emotional post ended with a tribute to Halo and a plea for other pet owners to take precautions. He said he hoped sharing what happened could help prevent another pet from suffering the same fate.
Florida Man’s Warning Prompts Debate Over Labels
The comments section became divided over how widely known the risks of minoxidil are. Some viewers were shocked by Halo’s death and thanked the Florida man for sharing the warning, while others questioned his claim that products do not warn consumers about the danger to pets.
“Sue the company. That should be on the label,” one user wrote. Several commenters pointed out that some minoxidil brands do include warnings about keeping the medication away from animals.
Another group criticized the owner for not knowing about the risk, arguing that minoxidil’s toxicity to cats is already widely known. The discussion also expanded into warnings about other household substances that can harm pets, including xylitol, lilies, essential oils and certain plants.
Some viewers said Halo’s story made them reconsider using minoxidil, while others asked about safer alternatives for hair growth. Many also expressed sympathy for the loss and appreciated the owner’s effort to warn other pet owners.
For the Florida man, Halo’s death became a painful warning he wished he had never needed to share.
