Cats and Vaseline
MeLisa Lang
dja...@direct.ca wrote:
>
> My cat has taken a fancy to licking vaseline (petroleum jelly) off my
> fingers. A friend told me that this helps her pass any furballs
> through her bum, instead of having to cough it up, but I'm wondering
> if this is harmful to her.
>
> Has anyone else heard of feeding vaseline to a cat?
I had a cat companion for many years named Marcel who loved vaseline. I
never gave him much, just a little bit off my fingers no more once a
day to every other day. I don't recall having any hairball problems and
he was very healthy. I also read somewhere that the maker of vaseline
used to eat a spoonful a day for his entire life because it was good for
him.
MeLisa
Mikko or Andy
dja...@direct.ca () wrote:
>Has anyone else heard of feeding vaseline to a cat?
Yes, it's used sometimes for just that reason, to help with hairballs.
But: if used frequently, it tends to dissolve some of the fat-solubile
vitamines (A,D,E and K) from the cat's body and is thus harmful - but
only if given on a daily basis. A better solution is using Petromalt
or some similar malt-based product where the necessary vitamines have
been added to.
Andy
*** See the rpc cats at: ***
http://personal.eunet.fi/pp/andy/meows.htm
dja...@direct.ca
My cat has taken a fancy to licking vaseline (petroleum jelly) off my
fingers. A friend told me that this helps her pass any furballs
through her bum, instead of having to cough it up, but I'm wondering
if this is harmful to her.
Has anyone else heard of feeding vaseline to a cat?
Kathleen Lenkeit
I've never heard of a cat liking to lick vaseline off someone's
fingers, or even off a spoon for that matter. Makes me wonder,
though, what you were doing with vaseline on your fingers....
Kami Scott
klen...@ix.netcom.com(Kathleen Lenkeit) wrote:
I use petroleum jelly as a skin lubricant. A couple of times when the
jar was open and on the bed, one of my cats came over and voraciously
began licking the stuff from the jar. I had to pull the jar away from
him.
Kami
----------------------------------------------------
Bootsie, Gizmo, Sassy and canine pal Princess are at
http://www.users.interport.net/~kamiscot
...and classic quotations from r.p.c.'s "Meowchat"
Tom Lott
In <31f83408...@news.interport.net> kami...@interport.net (Kami
Many of the "haiball remedies" and "laxative" are petroleum jelly
(vaseline) with some flavoring added. They can help cats with
constipation problems or hairballs. As usual, moderation is the key -
don't leave the open jar around; vaseline really is not made for
internal consumption. And as always, if you have problems, see your
vet - they know best.
**Tom Lott** and the Kittyz at Tomz Kitty Ranch
Donna McSherry
dja...@direct.ca wrote:
>
> My cat has taken a fancy to licking vaseline (petroleum jelly) off my
> fingers. A friend told me that this helps her pass any furballs
> through her bum, instead of having to cough it up, but I'm wondering
> if this is harmful to her.
>
> Has anyone else heard of feeding vaseline to a cat?
I actually read about this in a cat care book that was written by a
vetinarian, so it is unlikely to be harmful in small amounts. I have
tried it with my own cats and they do not like it very much, so you are
lucky that your cat accepts it!
Donna
Jane
>fingers. A friend told me that this helps her pass any furballs
>through her bum, instead of having to cough it up, but I'm wondering
>if this is harmful to her.
>
>Has anyone else heard of feeding vaseline to a cat?
>
>
Hi there,
I'm a little behind in rpc postings and just saw this. I don't know if
you've had any other responses yet, but I've had some experience with
using vaseline as a hairball remedy.
I've stopped using it because the outside label clearly states
"petroleum product, for topical use only". I don't believe that
swallowing it can be good for our cats long-term. I fed it to two cats
over a period of years and both died of throat tumors which prevented
them from eating. They were also Feline Leukemia postive, so it may
have been coincidental, but I'm not taking chances with my current cat.
An alternative which shouldn't have any side effects that has been
suggested is to feed the cat a small quantity of pumpkin or other
squash every once in a while. I haven't tried this yet because my
current cat seems to have no problems with hairballs (for now, anyway).
Additionally, human health care professionals state that using vaseline
with condoms actually damages the latex and is not recommended. That's
what really got me wondering about it's "benefit" to my cats. (Sorry I
can't point to the exact reference to this information, but I've read
it many times.) There may be other reasons for this warning, but I
believe the effectiveness of the "protection" is compromised if
vaseline is used.
Just my .02,
Jane (who could be wrong about the whole thing, but I'm not taking any
chances :-)
Ricky (and Newton)
Jane wrote:
>
> In <4t713p$6...@orb.direct.ca> dja...@direct.ca () writes:
> >
> >My cat has taken a fancy to licking vaseline (petroleum jelly) off my
> >fingers. A friend told me that this helps her pass any furballs
> >through her bum, instead of having to cough it up, but I'm wondering
> >if this is harmful to her.
> >
> >Has anyone else heard of feeding vaseline to a cat?
> >
> >
>
> Hi there,
>
> I'm a little behind in rpc postings and just saw this. I don't know if
> you've had any other responses yet, but I've had some experience with
> using vaseline as a hairball remedy.
>
> I've stopped using it because the outside label clearly states
> "petroleum product, for topical use only". I don't believe that
> swallowing it can be good for our cats long-term. I fed it to two cats
> over a period of years and both died of throat tumors which prevented
> them from eating. They were also Feline Leukemia postive, so it may
> have been coincidental, but I'm not taking chances with my current cat.
The tumors were most likely coincidental. Petroleum jelly products can cause
diarrhea if taken internally which is why they are recommended for "topical use only".
If people got hairballs, there would probably be a petroleum jelly product on the
market that was for internal consumption. As it is, there are products that are
essentially flavored petrolatum on the market for cats.
>
> An alternative which shouldn't have any side effects that has been
> suggested is to feed the cat a small quantity of pumpkin or other
> squash every once in a while. I haven't tried this yet because my
> current cat seems to have no problems with hairballs (for now, anyway).
>
> Additionally, human health care professionals state that using vaseline
> with condoms actually damages the latex and is not recommended. That's
> what really got me wondering about it's "benefit" to my cats. (Sorry I
> can't point to the exact reference to this information, but I've read
> it many times.) There may be other reasons for this warning, but I
> believe the effectiveness of the "protection" is compromised if
> vaseline is used.
>
Vaseline will damage latex, but that's because of the chemical composition of latex.
It has nothing to do with what petrolatum will (or will not) do if taken internally.
Vaseline (or other specially formulated products made from petrolatum especially for
cats) taken in small amounts just helps to grease the skids so those hairballs don't
get stuck. It's a little bit like the good old castor oil they used to give kids when
they were constipated. (Everything you ever really didn't want to know about the
bowels ... right here.)
No need to overdo it in any event. Once or twice a week and just a little bit is all
that is necessary. That is necessary IF the cat has a hairball problem.
Ricky
--
To send either Ricky or Newton (meow!) e-mail, just write to mailto:ri...@ix.netcom.com
Newton's Alley -- http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2860
The Weekly Caterwaul -- http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2860/weekly.html
Find your kitty soulmate at Newton's Winkwink Service:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2860/winkwink.html
For the Humans: Another Dimension (an art gallery) http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/1750
David Swanson
>>
>>>In <4t713p$6...@orb.direct.ca> dja...@direct.ca () writes:
>>>>
>>>>My cat has taken a fancy to licking vaseline (petroleum jelly) off
>my
>>>>fingers. A friend told me that this helps her pass any furballs
>>>>through her bum, instead of having to cough it up, but I'm wondering
>>>>if this is harmful to her.
>>>>
>>>>Has anyone else heard of feeding vaseline to a cat?
>>
>>>fingers, or even off a spoon for that matter. Makes me wonder,
>>>though, what you were doing with vaseline on your fingers....
>>
>>I use petroleum jelly as a skin lubricant. A couple of times when the
>>jar was open and on the bed, one of my cats came over and voraciously
>>began licking the stuff from the jar. I had to pull the jar away from
>>him.
>>
>>Kami
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>----------------------------------------------------
>>Bootsie, Gizmo, Sassy and canine pal Princess are at
>>http://www.users.interport.net/~kamiscot
>>...and classic quotations from r.p.c.'s "Meowchat"
>>
>>
>
>Many of the "haiball remedies" and "laxative" are petroleum jelly
>(vaseline) with some flavoring added. They can help cats with
>constipation problems or hairballs. As usual, moderation is the key -
>don't leave the open jar around; vaseline really is not made for
>internal consumption. And as always, if you have problems, see your
>vet - they know best.
>
>**Tom Lott** and the Kittyz at Tomz Kitty Ranch
>
cat's gut. This is why hairball remedies should not be given before a
meal.
Too much vaseline near meal times would have the same effect and could lead
to malnutrition.
HIlda
Dina Williams
>In <4t713p$6...@orb.direct.ca> dja...@direct.ca () writes:
>>
>>My cat has taken a fancy to licking vaseline (petroleum jelly) off my
>>fingers. A friend told me that this helps her pass any furballs
>>through her bum, instead of having to cough it up, but I'm wondering
>>if this is harmful to her.
>>
>>Has anyone else heard of feeding vaseline to a cat?
I have 2 cats who LOVE Vaseline, as well as the commercial hairball
remedies! In the past they have found and devoured entire tubes of the stuff
-- so now I have to keep it under lock and key. Unfortunately they're not
the cats who have hairball problems...my 3 cats who have the problems can't
stand the stuff.
Other people have already posted re: the Vaseline issue so I won't reiterate
here, I'll just say that I used to use Vaseline and still do on occasion,
but usually I use a commercial hairball remedy. It's really not that
expensive and I think the flavouring makes it a little more pleasant for the
cats.
Dina Williams
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Amos Eaton Hall
Troy, NY 12180-3590
(518) 276-2052
wil...@rpi.edu
http://www.math.rpi.edu/~willid2
Jane
In <31FC47...@ix.netcom.com> "Ricky (and Newton)"
<ri...@ix.netcom.com> writes:
><snipped for length>
>Jane wrote:
>> I've stopped using it because the outside label clearly states
>> "petroleum product, for topical use only". I don't believe that
>> swallowing it can be good for our cats long-term. I fed it to two
cats
>> over a period of years and both died of throat tumors which
prevented
>> them from eating. They were also Feline Leukemia postive, so it may
>> have been coincidental, but I'm not taking chances with my current
cat.
>
>The tumors were most likely coincidental. Petroleum jelly products
can cause
>diarrhea if taken internally which is why they are recommended for
"topical use only".
>If people got hairballs, there would probably be a petroleum jelly
product on the
>market that was for internal consumption. As it is, there are
products that are
>essentially flavored petrolatum on the market for cats.
>
probably coincidental and if I ever do get a hairball, I won't hesitate
to use it ;-).
I was told by the vet to stop using the commercial products because one
of my cats was borderline diabetic and the store-bought remedies are
loaded with sugar.
>> Additionally, human health care professionals state that using
vaseline
>> with condoms actually damages the latex and is not recommended.
That's
>> what really got me wondering about it's "benefit" to my cats. (Sorry
I
>> can't point to the exact reference to this information, but I've
read
>> it many times.) There may be other reasons for this warning, but I
>> believe the effectiveness of the "protection" is compromised if
>> vaseline is used.
>>
>
>Vaseline will damage latex, but that's because of the chemical
composition of latex.
>It has nothing to do with what petrolatum will (or will not) do if
taken internally.
>
This is good to know :-).
>Vaseline (or other specially formulated products made from petrolatum
especially for
>cats) taken in small amounts just helps to grease the skids so those
hairballs don't
>get stuck. It's a little bit like the good old castor oil they used
to give kids when
>they were constipated. (Everything you ever really didn't want to
know about the
>bowels ... right here.)
>
Gee, thanks, Ricky.......just in time for breakfast ;-).
>No need to overdo it in any event. Once or twice a week and just a
little bit is all
>that is necessary. That is necessary IF the cat has a hairball
problem.
>
>Ricky
>
>--
>To send either Ricky or Newton (meow!) e-mail, just write to
mailto:ri...@ix.netcom.com
>
>Newton's Alley -- http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2860
>The Weekly Caterwaul --
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2860/weekly.html
>Find your kitty soulmate at Newton's Winkwink Service:
>http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2860/winkwink.html
>
>For the Humans: Another Dimension (an art gallery)
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/1750
>
>
Yeah, both my previous cats had a hairball problem, especially the one
which was older and becoming diabetic. I didn't give it to them more
than twice a week, if that, so I wasn't just "feeding" it to them.
Thanks again for the useful info.
Jane
Diana Wells
Donna McSherry <donna.m...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>dja...@direct.ca wrote:
>>
>> My cat has taken a fancy to licking vaseline (petroleum jelly) off my
>> fingers. A friend told me that this helps her pass any furballs
>> through her bum, instead of having to cough it up, but I'm wondering
>> if this is harmful to her.
>>
>> Has anyone else heard of feeding vaseline to a cat?
>
>vetinarian, so it is unlikely to be harmful in small amounts. I have
>tried it with my own cats and they do not like it very much, so you are
>lucky that your cat accepts it!
>
>Donna
>
>
>http://www3.sympatico.ca/donna.mcsherry
I have friends who use vaseline to help their cats pass hairballs. I
would only use it two or three times a week though. Too much of anything
can always be a problem.
-
DIANA UEB...@prodigy.com
Jacqueline A. Pritchard
I've been giving my cats vaseline for years - sure hope it's not
bad for them. The amazing thing is, they beg for the stuff. All
I have to do is open the jar and they come running. I let them
have a little bit off my finger about once a week or so. I was
told this was good for hairballs.
Does anyone know for a fact that this is bad for my kitties? If
so, I'll stop doing it.....
--
Renee Babcock
I'm guessing it serves about the same purpose as Petromalt or some of
the other petroleum type products that have flavoring. I can't imagine
there'd be much harm, and it may be doing a lot of good, especially for
hairballs.
Renee
Mary Lacroix
In article <4uaeab$d...@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu>,
The Tonic-Lax my cats *love* is composed of about 15 grams
petrolatum for each 70 grams of product (which also contains mineral
oil, vitamins and iron). The recommended dosage is 1/2 to 1 teaspoon
Tonic-Lax for 2-3 days, then 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon 2-3 times a week.
Depending on what you mean by a bit, you might be giving them a bit
much, but the person to ask, of course, is your vet.
Mary.
--
"One step forward, two steps back,
Will politics get me the sack?
Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards." Billy Bragg
Kathleen F. Ashley
In <4ua5tr$c81$2...@mhade.production.compuserve.com> Jacqueline A.
Pritchard <74774...@CompuServe.COM> writes:
>
>I've been giving my cats vaseline for years - sure hope it's not
>bad for them. The amazing thing is, they beg for the stuff. All
>I have to do is open the jar and they come running. I let them
>have a little bit off my finger about once a week or so. I was
>told this was good for hairballs.
>
>Does anyone know for a fact that this is bad for my kitties? If
>so, I'll stop doing it.....
>
remedy such as Petromalt (which is fortified with those nutrients)
would be better, or a vegetable fibre supplement sprinkled on wet food.
Kate