If your cat suffers from hairballs, here is a cheap, useful remedy. Just give him a teaspoon of Vaseline every 2 weeks and the problem should be alleviated.
By Robin
I have found that when trying to give cats Vaseline is to put a little on their front paws and a little bit on there nose! They can't stand anything on their paws or nose! Make it a lot easier!
By kay
What does the Vaseline do for the cat? It is a petroleum based product. Would it not be harmful to your cat? Our cat is 13 and every once in a while (maybe a couple times a year) she just brings up the hairball. No big deal. I simply clean it up with a tissue and throw it out. (11/07/2004)
Some of the hairball formulas sold on the market are also petroleum based. Groom the cat daily to reduce the hair he swallows! (11/07/2004)
By Robyn
Just a note of interest. Vaseline balls rolled in sugar about the size of a sweet pea, and then frozen are given to be swallowed whole by the elderly, bedbound, and hospice patients, for release of a high bowel impaction! (11/07/2004)
By Carol Smith
I use organic butter and they love it. I do brush them daily so this happens infrequently.
Jennifer (11/08/2004)
Vaseline should NOT be given to cats every day as it will bind up the fat solouble Vitamins A, D and E and prevent your cat absorbing these nutrients. It is quite alright to dose your cat with for a few days when you suspect he has a furball and very effective and safe when only used as needed. My cat likes his Vaseline mixed with an equal quantity of Vegemite, It can then be smeared on the fur or mixed in with food. (11/16/2004)
By Jim
My cat is 11, and has a habit of vomiting 3 or more times daily. He has done this his whole life and the doctors and I haven't found a reason. Recently I tried having him lick Vaseline off my finger and he loves it. He practically attacks me to get some. He hasn't thrown up in 2 weeks, but i have been giving him fingerfuls daily. Should I stop giving it to him? I feel the Vaseline couldn't hurt him more than the vomiting. (11/20/2004)
By marilyn
If your cat is vomiting daily and there is no medical reason for this, It is likely he eating something thats upsetting his digestive tract. If he is allowed outside it could be very difficult to determine what is causing him to vomit. I would keep him inside for a few weeks and see if things improve. Even when kept indoors cats sometimes start to chew or suck on wool or other types of fabric. I would also increase the amount of fibre in his diet by giving him Dry cat food more often and feed him Raw Chicken Necks/Wings several times a week, But never feed him any cooked bones as they can splinter and cause internal problems. Please stop giving him Vaseline every day as this will cause a deficiency of Vitamins A,D, and E. If things don't improve it is time for further medical testing to be done. (11/27/2004)
By Jim
My cat BEGS for Vaseline every time I'm near the medicine cabinet. He practically bites my finger licking it off- he's so excited. Has anyone else experienced this or know why he is so crazy for it? (12/13/2005)
By Katy
I have recently found that buying the indoor formula cat food for indoor cats helps lower the amount of fur balls. I didn't think it would matter but my mom tried it for a month and it started get the hair balls down, so I started to buy it, it is a bit more expensive than the cheap food but it is worth it, I have had them (4) kitties on it for about 6 months now and I see maybe 2 hairballs in a month. Just thought i would share this. I buy it at Walmart, it is the cheaper one of the 2, there are 2 brands of it. The cats also love the food, the oldest also got his weight down closer to where it should be. (01/08/2006)
By Jen Bennett
I forgot to add, that my mom got this formula for the reason to keep the cats out of her plants that they would eat to kill. And it worked, they don't touch any of them anymore. Thanks again Jen (01/08/2006)
By Jen Bennett
I give my cats about 1/4 teaspoon every week. It really helps with hair balls. I have 8. If one starts to hack, I give her about 1/4 teaspoon right away and she is done.
(12/09/2006)
By Sylvester
Vaseline has petroleum in it, as do MANY hairball remedies. NEVER give your cat Vaseline! http://onlynaturalpet.com has alternatives and there are many other sites that offer information, like http://peteducation.com (02/05/2008)
By Karen
Interesting that several responses warn never to give your cat Vaseline. My cat is 12 years old and gets a small dab of Vaseline pretty much every day. Just a dab on his front paw. He loves it and has never had any health issues. (07/23/2010)
By catmom98
Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is perfectly safe for human or animal consumption. It used to be (and still may be) a base for suppositories. Some petroleum products are toxic (like gasoline), but this hairball remedy has proven effective for over 100 years and you will find no record of ill effects from its use. (07/31/2010)
By Connie
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