Mineral Oil / White Petrolatum
Liquid petrolatum / White petrolatum
Also known as: Laxatone · Laxa-Stat · Vedalax · Cat Lax · Petromalt · Kondremul · Liquid petrolatum · Liquid paraffin · White mineral oil · White petrolatum · White petroleum jelly · White soft paraffin · Paraffinum liquidum
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative | 2-60 mL | PO | — | — | 🌎 NA |
| Laxative | 5-30 mL | PO | — | — | 🌎 NA |
| Laxative | 5-25 mL | PO | — | — | 🌎 NA |
- Laxative: Because of the risk for aspiration, liquid mineral oil is rarely recommended for PO administration today.
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative | 2-10 mL | PO | — | — | 🌎 NA |
| Laxative | 2-6 mL | PO | — | — | 🌎 NA |
| Laxative | 5 mL | PO | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
- Laxative: Because of the risk for aspiration, liquid mineral oil is rarely recommended for PO administration today.
- Laxative: Give per day with food
Small Mammals
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative/remove hairballs (Rabbits) | 1-2 mL/day | PO | q24h | 3-5 days | 🌎 NA |
- Laxative/remove hairballs (Rabbits): Using feline laxative product
Birds
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative and to aid in the removal of lead from the gizzard | 1-3 drops per 30 grams of body weight or 5 mL/kg | PO | once | — | 🌎 NA |
- Laxative and to aid in the removal of lead from the gizzard: Repeat as necessary. Give via tube or slowly to avoid aspiration.
Horses
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large colon impactions | 2-4 quarts | Stomach tube | q12-24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Sand colic | 2 liters | NG tube | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Laxative (Adults) | 2-4 liters | Stomach tube | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Laxative (Foals) | 240 mL | Stomach tube | — | — | 🌎 NA |
| Laxative (Adults) | 0.5-2 liters | Stomach tube | — | — | 🌎 NA |
| Laxative (Foals) | 60-120 mL | Stomach tube | — | — | 🌎 NA |
- Large colon impactions: May take up to 5 gallons. Mix 1-2 quarts of warm water with the oil to ease administration. Pump in at a moderate speed.
- Sand colic: Given with 0.5 kg psyllium mixed with 1 liter of mash twice daily.
- Laxative (Adults): May be repeated daily
Cattle
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative | 1-4 liters | Stomach tube | — | — | 🌎 NA |
| Laxative (Adults) | 0.5-2 liters | Stomach tube | — | — | 🌎 NA |
| Laxative (Calves) | 60-120 mL | Stomach tube | — | — | 🌎 NA |
| Adjunctive treatment of metaldehyde poisoning | 8 mL/kg | Stomach tube | — | — | 🌎 NA |
| Adjunctive treatment of nitrate poisoning | 1 liter per 400 kg body weight | Stomach tube | — | — | 🌎 NA |
- Adjunctive treatment of metaldehyde poisoning: May be used with a saline cathartic
Swine
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative | 50-100 mL | Stomach tube | — | — | 🌎 NA |
Sheep
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative | 100-500 mL | Stomach tube | — | — | 🌎 NA |
Goats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative | 100-500 mL | Stomach tube | — | — | 🌎 NA |
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Mineral oil is a transparent, colorless, and odorless mixture of complex hydrocarbons derived from crude petroleum. In veterinary medicine, it is a classic lubricant laxative used extensively in large animal practice (especially horses) for the management of large colon impactions and sand colic.
In small animals, it is primarily utilized in the form of flavored petrolatum gels to manage or prevent feline trichobezoars (hairballs). Additionally, it can be administered via stomach tube to retard the gastrointestinal absorption of specific lipid-soluble toxins (e.g., metaldehyde, kerosene) by acting as a lipid sink.
Clinical Pearl: Heavy mineral oil is preferred over light mineral oil for pharmaceutical purposes, as it has a lower tendency to be absorbed from the gut or aspirated during administration.
Mechanism of action
Mineral oil and petrolatum act purely mechanically within the gastrointestinal tract:
- Lubrication: Coats the intestinal mucosa and the fecal mass, reducing friction.
- Moisture Retention: Creates a hydrophobic barrier that prevents the reabsorption of water from the GI tract → increases fecal bulk and softens the stool.
- Transit Time: The increased bulk and lubrication stimulate peristalsis → decreases intestinal transit time.
- Toxin Sequestration: Acts as an indigestible lipid sink in the gut lumen, trapping lipid-soluble toxins and preventing their systemic absorption.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Patients with an increased risk of vomiting or regurgitation
- Dysphagia or swallowing difficulties
- Esophageal or gastric retention
- Hiatal hernia
- Debilitated or pregnant patients (based on human guidelines)
- Human pediatric patients under 6 years old
Adverse effects
- Lipid pneumonitis (severe, if aspirated)
- Granulomatous reactions in liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes (if absorbed)
- Anal oil leakage
- Decreased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) with chronic use
Precautions
Extreme caution must be used to avoid aspiration, which can cause severe, irreversible lipid pneumonitis. Do not administer liquid mineral oil orally via syringe to struggling small animals; rectal administration is preferred if used as a laxative in these species. When 'tubing' large animals, absolutely ascertain that the tube is in the stomach and administer at a reasonable rate.
Drug interactions
Theoretically enhances the absorption of mineral oil, which could lead to systemic granulomatous reactions. Avoid concurrent use, though clinical significance in large animals appears low.
Chronic administration of mineral oil may decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Administer between meals to minimize this effect.
Monitoring
- Clinical efficacy (fecal output, resolution of impaction)
- Signs of aspiration (coughing, tachypnea, dyspnea)
- Auscultation and thoracic radiographs if aspiration is suspected
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Minimally absorbed from the gut. However, emulsions of mineral oil may be up to 60% absorbed.
Distribution
Remains primarily in the GI tract. If absorbed, it can distribute to the liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes.
Metabolism
Not significantly metabolized.
Elimination
Excreted unchanged in the feces.
Overdose
Overdose effects are generally self-limiting (e.g., diarrhea, anal leakage). The primary life-threatening risk is aspiration, which can lead to severe lipid pneumonitis. Chronic overdosage may cause fat-soluble vitamin (A, D, E, K) deficiency.
Available products
Formulations
- Liquid
- Oral paste/gel
- Emulsion
Veterinary
- Liquid Mineral Oil (gallons or 55-gallon drums)
- Cat 'Laxative' Products (e.g., Laxatone, Laxa-Stat, Vedalax, Cat Lax, Vetscription Hairball Remedy, Petromalt, Petrotone, Felilax)
Human-labeled
- Mineral Oil Liquid (180 mL, 473 mL)
- Mineral Oil Emulsions (e.g., Kondremul Plain)
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Petrolatum products should be stored at temperatures less than 30°C (86°F).
Client information
CRITICAL WARNING: Never force liquid mineral oil into your pet's mouth using a syringe. If accidentally inhaled into the lungs, it causes a severe and potentially fatal condition called lipid pneumonitis.
- For cats with hairballs, use commercially prepared, flavored gels (like Laxatone) exactly as directed by your veterinarian. Place a small amount on their paw or nose to let them lick it off naturally.
- Do not use these products long-term without veterinary supervision, as they can block the absorption of essential vitamins (Vitamins A, D, E, and K).
- You may notice some oily discharge from your pet's rectum; this is normal but can soil furniture or carpets.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.