Can You Put Vaseline on a Cat's Nose for Hairballs?
by Leslie Carver, Demand Media
For a cat parent, hairballs are most likely a fact of life. Vaseline can be used to help eliminate hairballs, but your kitty's nose is not the best place to apply it for this purpose. As always, consult your veterinarian before using any human substance on your kitty.Vaseline on Your Kitty's Nose
Applying Vaseline or other petroleum jellies to your cat's nose is more appropriate for cold symptoms than hairballs. If a cold is causing his nose to be dry, the Cat Health Guide recommends applying a dab of petroleum jelly to it as a moisturizer. This will help prevent painful cracks from forming.
Vaseline for Hairball Prevention
Vaseline or other petroleum jellies can be used to help prevent hairballs, although in a different way. Instead of applying it to your kitty's nose, dab a bit on his paw about once a week. He will lick it off. Once he ingests it, it will help lubricate his digestive tract, which will help more fur stay down instead of coming back up.
Vaseline or other petroleum jellies can be used to help prevent hairballs, although in a different way. Instead of applying it to your kitty's nose, dab a bit on his paw about once a week. He will lick it off. Once he ingests it, it will help lubricate his digestive tract, which will help more fur stay down instead of coming back up.
Other Hairball Prevention Methods
Other things you can feed your cat that will help prevent hairballs are butter or margarine and mineral oil. According to VetInfo, a pat of butter or margarine, or half a teaspoon of mineral oil also will accomplish this goal.
Other things you can feed your cat that will help prevent hairballs are butter or margarine and mineral oil. According to VetInfo, a pat of butter or margarine, or half a teaspoon of mineral oil also will accomplish this goal.
Hairball Control Cat Food
Certain kitties are more prone to hairballs than others. These include long-haired breeds, senior citizen kitties and those with weakened digestive systems. If your cat is one of these, you might want to consider switching him to a cat food formulated specifically for hairball control. They typically contain more fiber than other cat foods, which helps the stomach and intestines digest their contents more efficiently. Consult your vet if you think your cat might need hairball control formula food.
Certain kitties are more prone to hairballs than others. These include long-haired breeds, senior citizen kitties and those with weakened digestive systems. If your cat is one of these, you might want to consider switching him to a cat food formulated specifically for hairball control. They typically contain more fiber than other cat foods, which helps the stomach and intestines digest their contents more efficiently. Consult your vet if you think your cat might need hairball control formula food.
Is it Safe to Give My Cat Vaseline As a Hair Ball Treatment?
If enough hair collects in a cat's intestines, it can cause constipation, a blockage or death. While there are any number of hairball preventatives, one of most effective and least expensive is Vaseline. Have a question? Get an answer from a veterinarian now!
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Safe for Cats
- Vaseline's molecules are too large to be absorbed by the intestines. It passes through the body unchanged.
Not a Laxative
- Unlike many commercial hairball remedies that contain mineral oil, Vaseline does not act as a laxative.
Internal Lubricant
- Just a dab of Vaseline is enough to coat hairballs and ease their passage through the intestines.
Smear it On
- Some cats will lick Vaseline off a spoon. Or, if you smear it on the cat's nose or front leg below the elbow, she'll lick it off. Some cats will also eat Vaseline mixed into tuna.
Give it Daily
- Give a dab of Vaseline daily for a week or two. Then give a maintenance dose once or twice a week.
Comb Your Cat, Too
- Combing your cat with a flea or greyhound comb several times a week will remove loose fur and help prevent hairballs.
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