One of the most common ailments among cats and even dogs are hairballs. Hairballs are caused when an animal grooms itself, and swallows the excess hair. Most of the hair is usually expelled through vomiting. The rest reaches the intestines and wads up into a ball and causes an obstruction which could be life threatening. One of the biggest mistakes in treating hairballs is the use of petroleum-based remedies.
Petroleum is a product used as a solvent in many household cleaners among other products.
Few people or even vets know that although it lubricates to move the hairball, petroleum remedies coat the intestinal wall. The problem here is it blocks the absorption of necessary nutrients from the diet. When the body is deprived of these nutrients, it sets off a series of problems because the immune system is compromised. The door is open for serious bacteria, virus and diseases to set in. You do not need or want that.