Beauty influencer says her kids will 'never' grow up with pets because of one product she won’t stop using — but many say she’s right

A woman seemed rather committed to her plans of never owning a pet for an unpopular reason. Zeina (@zeina_honest.beauty), a beauty influencer on TikTok, was frank about her choices when she revealed that pets would always be off-limits for her in a viral clip. She even predicted that her kids would also grow up without pets. The primary motive behind her strong decision involved a product that was a temporary fix to a personal setback. The internet broke into a debate, with many agreeing with her.

In the clip, Zeina was seen squeezing hair lotion into a tiny container before applying it to her scalp with a toothbrush. The creator was using Minoxidil, a topical treatment for hair loss and related conditions, such as alopecia, according to Medical News Today. While it is a potential treatment for hair growth in humans, it can be fatal to cats and dogs, even in trace amounts. Therefore, the beauty influencer suggested that her home would never be safe enough to have pets. “It’s horrible to know that because of Minoxidil, I will never be able to have a pet,” she wrote in an overlay text. “Never. And my children will grow up without pets, too.” 

Zeina casually dropped the controversial opinion while treating her long hair with the product. She carefully applied it to her scalp, indicating that the product was an important resource to her. However, the beauty influencer clarified that she wanted pets but felt horrible that her personal needs would never allow it. “I really want a little puppy. I have a Dachshund at home in Moscow, but will I be able to play with it again? Horrible feeling!” she expressed in the caption. The post collected a whopping 471,000 likes and a range of comments from people. A vet (@notacheeseburger) said, “At the end of the day, you’re protecting animals by making good decisions, which I can get behind.”

“So, we are mad because she’s being responsible and considering the livelihood and safety of hypothetical pets?” wrote @melissamelistas, hinting at the haters. “The hate here is wild. Thank you for recognizing the incompatibility and keeping animals safe,” penned a supporter (@hopethisfindsyounever) and @g0lden_harry explained, “She’s not harming anyone, in fact, she’s being responsible.” @letbailslive criticized her stance and commented, "I’d rather be bald than not have my Dachshunds."

Minoxidil was originally used as a treatment for high blood pressure and is often consumed in oral forms. Research has confirmed that the drug is 60% effective in preventing hair loss and encouraging hair growth, particularly for people under 40.

Like any other medication, minoxidil has side effects and must be used cautiously. A report by Wimpole Clinic stated that cats are particularly sensitive to even minute doses, which can dangerously lower their blood pressure. A 2021 study on pet exposure to topical Minoxidil found that 87 animals out of 211 suffered from toxicity after exposure. About 13% of the cats did not survive, while the rest of the pets tolerated moderate illnesses.  

You can follow @zeina_honest.beauty on TikTok for more videos.