Addicted to Petroleum Jelly
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My 19-year-old male cat has become addicted to petroleum jelly. For years, I would give him a small amount to lick from my finger if I thought he had hairballs. Now he demands it every night. Is this a bad idea?
- Stewart
Dear Stewart,
Petroleum jelly contains petrolatum, which can cause gastrointestinal upset and have a laxative effect. While not as volatile as other hydrocarbons, petroleum jelly may pose a slight risk for aspiration pneumonia if the substance is inhaled into the lungs via initial ingestion or vomiting. Based on this information, it's really best to eliminate your cat’s nightly petroleum jelly habit.