White petrolatum is safe for ingestion. The forms that are dangerous are yellow and ( even worse ) brown petrolatum. White petrolatum is okayed for use by vets and in a pinch we have had physicians mention it when constipation is a problem (as recently as 2 months ago). Some links can be found in http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL6019 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL6025 That said, we prefer brushing and combing to dislodge loose fur instead of giving laxatives. Regular use of laxatives of any type can cause intestinal dependence on them. Sukie (not a vet) Recommended ferret health links: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/ http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html http://www.miamiferret.org/ http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/ http://www.ferretcongress.org/ http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html all ferret topics: http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html [Posted in FML 6526]