Alexandra writes
>Does anyone know what the active ingredient is in hairball remedy?
 
Actually, for many popular hairball remedies, it is refined white rod
wax, aka Vaseline, petroleum jelly or petrolatum.
 
Petrolatum is indigestible and works by physical action.  Thus it is
generally safer than chemical laxatives.  It has been used for decades
in humans, cats and other species with no known toxicological or
carcinogenic issues.
 
Linda Iroff
[Posted in FML issue 4482]