How to give Vaseline oil to a cat correctly?

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Treatment and prevention of constipation

Article verified by a practicing veterinarian

Such a delicate problem as constipation is common in cats.
And if it is problematic to control regular bowel movements in an animal walking on the street, then in domestic ponytails it is enough to pay attention to the regularity of cleaning the cat's litter box. In addition to obvious problems with stool, there are situations when it is necessary to empty the animal’s intestines for medical reasons, for example, before performing a colonoscopy (examination of the large intestine using an endoscope).

Whatever the reason for the procedure, it is important that it is prescribed by a veterinarian . Self-treatment of an animal for constipation is unacceptable, since problems with stool can be caused by serious disorders in the digestive organs. And an accurate diagnosis will be made after examining and examining the cat.

This delicate problem is often solved with the help of Vaseline oil. Let's figure out how to properly give Vaseline oil to a cat.

In what cases do veterinarians prescribe petroleum jelly?

Normally, adult cats go to the toilet more than once a day . Small kittens – up to 6 times.

If you notice the following signs in your pet, you should immediately consult a veterinarian:

Attempts. At the same time, nothing works out for the cat for a long time.
The cat has not had a bowel movement for more than 2 days .
When trying to go to the toilet, the cat experiences discomfort and anxiety.
There is nausea or vomiting .
The cat's tummy is swollen , and touching it causes discomfort and pain.
The animal refuses to eat .
The cat became lethargic and inactive .

Don't let the problem take its course. Constipation (retention of feces) leads to poisoning of the body with toxins . This can lead to disorders of internal organs, including the loss of a pet.

Regular constipation indicates the presence of injuries or intestinal diseases . You should seek help from a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible.

Laxative for cats: the main thing

The perceived benefit of using a laxative in a cat must be weighed against the risk of potential harm and complications;
In case of constipation, first of all, you should remove the factor that provoked it, and only then give the cat a laxative;
If symptoms of pain, rectal bleeding, accompanying vomiting, refusal to eat, or decreased activity occur, immediately seek veterinary help;
Always remember that the symptoms of constipation and acute urinary retention may be similar.

How does it work?

If no serious pathologies are identified during examination by a veterinarian, the doctor may prescribe petroleum jelly. Due to the strong laxative effect, the veterinarian may choose a more gentle drug.

As for Vaseline oil, it is not absorbed by the body and has no side effects, being absolutely safe and hypoallergenic, provided that you give it to your cat correctly.

The product forms a kind of barrier between the intestinal walls and waste products. Due to this, the absorption of toxins and liquids by the intestines stops , which promotes their rapid removal from the body and softening of feces due to the liquid obtained from the digestion of food and the consumption of water by the animal.

Vaseline oil also helps improve the mechanism of intestinal motility and protects the mucous membrane from cracks.

Thanks to the oil, the intestines are freed not only from feces, but also from hairballs and other undigested foods.

Benefits of using Vaseline

The product has no smell or taste, so the animal will not especially resist its use and try to spit out the remaining product from the mouth. An enema, of course, is the most effective method of treating constipation, but using it on cats is quite problematic. One person is unlikely to cope with the task.

Treating constipation with an enema is an extremely unpleasant and uncomfortable procedure. For a pet, such manipulation will become very stressful, which will lead to aggravation of an already serious condition.

When should you not give Vaseline oil?

When deciding how to give your cat Vaseline oil , you need to understand that, despite the safety of the product, there are some restrictions on its use.

Pregnancy. May cause uterine contractions.
Temperature. An increase in temperature indicates the presence of an inflammatory process accompanied by constipation.
Foreign body. Vaseline oil is not used to remove foreign objects and bones from the gastrointestinal tract.
Individual intolerance.
Intestinal volvulus.
Inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract and the presence of ulcers.
Chronic constipation.
Intestinal infectious diseases.
Intestinal bleeding.
Deworming carried out recently.
The presence of a tumor in the gastrointestinal tract.

If after visiting the clinic and using Vaseline oil there is no result, you should urgently contact a veterinarian, as the cat may have acute intestinal obstruction. Up

Side effects

If the dosage is strictly followed, there will be no side effects. There are rare cases when the oil spontaneously flows out along with the release of feces from the intestines.

Hypovitaminosis of a number of vitamins also rarely develops, especially fat-soluble A, D, E, K. The consequence of this will be slow growth, rickets, impaired reproduction, and poor blood clotting. Nodules can form in the intestines, which can lead to malignant tumors.

What's the best way to give?

Vaseline oil is used in two ways: orally and rectally . When you, based on your doctor’s recommendations, decide how to give Vaseline oil, the dosage should be selected taking into account the characteristics of your animal.

Oral administration

This method of administration is considered more effective, but you will have to wait a little longer for the result than after using an enema.

Self-administration of Vaseline oil orally (through the mouth) is possible only if the cat licks it off on its own . Otherwise, it is better to seek help from a doctor, since if you forcibly take oil through a syringe, there is a possibility of liquid getting into the respiratory tract. This is fraught with suffocation and serious respiratory problems , even death. Don't risk your pet's health!

If your cat does not lick off the Vaseline oil on its own, contact your veterinarian. Forced infusion can cause suffocation

If you are lucky and your pet is determined to get rid of excess weight on its own as quickly as possible, then you need to calculate the dosage that is safe for your cat.

Top Recommendations are given for information purposes only. Do not use them without consulting a veterinarian.

There is a formula for calculating the amount of vaseline oil:

For an adult: 1 kg of body weight * 1 ml of vaseline oil for treatment. For prevention – 1 kg of body weight * 0.5 ml of vaseline oil. But not more than 40 ml/day.

For kittens: the same formula is used. Except for the maximum permissible daily dose. It should not exceed 5 ml.

Instructions for the use of petroleum jelly orally:

At the first dose, it is advisable to give the animal a full portion. The result should occur within 3 hours.
If after a while the result does not occur, then another half of the portion should be given, taking into account body weight.
In case of failure the second time, it is recommended to take the third dose of the drug after an hour. This should also be half the serving.
Wait and believe. You will definitely succeed. Maybe not right away, because all cats tolerate the drug differently. Some people experience relief after a couple of hours, while others have to endure the inconvenience for much longer.
After everything has happened, you need to give the cat another 1/5 portion.

Rectal administration

The cat refuses to lick the oil, but you have no chance of visiting the veterinarian? You should not give your pet Vaseline oil by force, so as not to face the risk of it getting into the respiratory system, because this can lead to dire consequences, including asphyxia! It is better to choose an alternative remedy on the advice of a veterinarian or use an enema to administer the medicine rectally.

Considering the size of the cat and its characteristics (more precisely, the complete lack of understanding of the need to lie still), this procedure should be carried out with a small syringe with a soft tip.

Consistency of Vaseline oil

The drug is administered both in pure form and in the form of a water-oil liquid.

To prepare the solution, water and oil are usually mixed in a ratio of 1:3 , respectively. When using the solution, the dosage for an adult should not exceed 25 ml, and for a kitten - 2 ml. The liquid should be administered warm (not hot!).

When using a pure substance, the dosage should not exceed 10 ml for an adult and 1 ml for a kitten . The exact dosage should be determined with your veterinarian.

Top Use an enema with a soft rubber tip. It is better to choose a smaller enema size

An assistant may be needed to carry out the procedure.

How to give Vaseline oil to a cat rectally:

The tip of the syringe is lubricated with Vaseline oil.
The tip is inserted into the anus. Very neat. This is a huge stress for the animal, which is understandable.
Liquid is injected slowly. And the tip comes out.
At the end of the procedure, it is advisable to massage the cat’s tummy. He went through something terrible, we need to feel sorry for him and calm him down.

Complete cleansing of the purr's intestines using the rectal method occurs within 30 minutes.

Duration of treatment

The duration of treatment using a syringe is no more than 2-3 days . If the problem persists, you should consult a specialist for advice. You should immediately take your pet to the doctor if the color of the stool is black. This may indicate intestinal bleeding.

It is allowed to carry out no more than 2 enemas per day . The break between procedures should be at least 5 hours.

After taking Vaseline oil rectally, you need to be prepared that it will begin to come out of the anus. You will have to follow the tail for a while, armed with a napkin, a cotton pad, a bandage, or something else.

More plant fibers

When doctors talk about natural ways to relieve constipation, they mean a diet rich in fiber and other fibers.

A proper diet solves almost any bowel problem. In addition, our digestive system copes much better with fruits, vegetables and grains than with artificial foods and delicacies. It's all about the same fiber that travels through the intestines along with other foods, but is not digested.

Fiber is a polysaccharide, like starch. The structure of this substance cannot be digested in our body; it has other purposes. This fiber penetrates the thickness of the stool, helping to form healthy stools.

Only some bacteria in the large intestine are able to digest fiber, but they can only handle 15-20% of the substance. If there is not enough fiber in the diet, the stool can become hard and linger in the intestines. Fiber-rich foods:

Beans and other legumes.
Apricots.
Whole grain bread.
Berries.
Broccoli.
Nectarines, pears and apples.
Nuts.
Potato.

But, as with caffeine, you shouldn't get too carried away with fiber. Pathogenic intestinal flora uses dietary fiber as a food product. Excessive fiber consumption often leads to dysbiosis.

For the treatment and prevention of constipation, veterinarians recommend:

Pay attention to food . If your pet has a predisposition to the disease, then you should use dry food marked i/d, designed specifically for cats with digestive problems and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Give more liquid . Make sure there is always water in the bowl. If your pet refuses to drink, read our material with an analysis of the reasons.
It is undesirable to use a mixed type of food (industrial feed and food from the table), especially since most cats do not digest lactose.
When treating constipation, it is advisable to replace dry food with wet food .
Add fiber , which is found in plant-based foods. There is a special commercial cat food with high fiber content, Royal Canin Fiber Response, which is used to treat constipation.
Regular massages of your pet's tummy.
Use gentle laxatives : lactusan, duphalac, prelax, sodium sulfate. Medicines must be prescribed by a veterinarian.

If it is not possible to use one of the above methods using petroleum jelly, you can mix olive oil into your food in moderation.
It smells delicious, and animals willingly lick it off. The decision to take olive oil should also be discussed with your veterinarian. Up

Use of coffee

Coffee with milk helps relieve constipation.

Drinking strong black coffee in the morning is a common habit not only in the West, but throughout the world. This is an excellent invigorating drink with a pleasant smell.

Caffeine is a natural stimulant for the digestive system - it not only improves intestinal motility, but also softens hard masses stuck in the colon.

In fact, many of us have noticed the urge to go to the toilet after drinking a cup of drink.

You need to drink only as much coffee as necessary for the therapeutic effect. In case of normal constipation, one cup of drink with added milk is enough. Don't overdo it, as coffee is a natural diuretic. The body will excrete excess water, thereby preventing the stool from softening.

This video will tell you how to get rid of constipation: