VetMasterJiGastrointestinal · Drug monograph
Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin): veterinary dose and monograph
Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin) is a veterinary gastrointestinal drug. Lubricant laxative given by nasogastric/stomach tube in large animals (large-colon impaction, cathartic after toxin ingestion). Indications include large-colon impaction (horses) via nasogastric tube; laxative / cathartic (ruminants, pigs); adjunct in metaldehyde or nitrate poisoning (cattle). This monograph lists 7 reference doses for dogs, cats, cattle, horses, sheep and pigs and 1 more species, each with route, frequency and source, plus meat and milk withdrawal periods for food animals.
At a glance
- Drug class
- Gastrointestinal
- Also known as
- Liquid paraffin, Paraffin oil, Light mineral oil
- Species with doses
- Dogs, Cats, Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Rabbits
- Routes
- PO
- Last reviewed
- 1 October 2026
Indications
- Large-colon impaction (horses) via nasogastric tube
- Laxative / cathartic (ruminants, pigs)
- Adjunct in metaldehyde or nitrate poisoning (cattle)
- Hairballs (rabbits, cats — laxative products)
Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin) dose by species
Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative (rarely recommended orally) | 5–30 mL per dog PO (Papich: 10–50 mL q12h), mixed in food — never forced by syringe | PO | q12–24h | — |
- Laxative (rarely recommended orally): Plumb’s p.843: 2–60 mL (Jenkins; Kirk), 5–30 mL (Davis); rarely recommended orally today because of aspiration risk. Papich 5e: 10–50 mL per dog q12h.
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative / hairballs | 2–10 mL per cat PO in food (Papich: 10–25 mL q12h) | PO | q12–24h | — |
- Laxative / hairballs: Plumb’s p.843: 2–10 mL (Jenkins; Kirk); 5 mL daily with food (Sherding). Papich 5e: 10–25 mL per cat q12h. Aspiration risk — mix with food.
Cattle
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative / toxin cathartic | Adults 0.5–4 L by stomach tube; calves 60–120 mL | PO | as needed | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |
- Laxative / toxin cathartic: Plumb’s p.843: 1–4 L (Howard); adults 0.5–2 L, calves 60–120 mL (Jenkins); metaldehyde poisoning 8 mL/kg with a saline cathartic; nitrate poisoning 1 L per 400 kg. Papich 5e: 500–1000 mL, up to 2–4 L by stomach tube.
Horses
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large-colon impaction | 2–4 L via nasogastric tube q12–24h (0.5–1 L as a single laxative dose) | PO | q12–24h | — |
- Large-colon impaction: Plumb’s p.843: 2–4 quarts via stomach tube q12–24h, mixed with 1–2 quarts warm water; up to 5 gallons may be needed. Papich 5e: 500–1000 mL per horse PO as needed, up to 2–4 L by stomach tube.
Sheep
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative | 500–1000 mL per animal by stomach tube as needed | PO | as needed | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |
- Laxative: Papich 5e (sheep and pigs). Give by tube, not by drench, to avoid aspiration.
Pigs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative | 500–1000 mL per animal PO as needed | PO | as needed | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |
- Laxative: Papich 5e (sheep and pigs).
Buffalo
No buffalo-specific doses are on file, so buffalo are dosed as cattle.
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative / toxin cathartic | Adults 0.5–4 L by stomach tube; calves 60–120 mL | PO | as needed | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |
- Laxative / toxin cathartic: Plumb’s p.843: 1–4 L (Howard); adults 0.5–2 L, calves 60–120 mL (Jenkins); metaldehyde poisoning 8 mL/kg with a saline cathartic; nitrate poisoning 1 L per 400 kg. Papich 5e: 500–1000 mL, up to 2–4 L by stomach tube.
Rabbits
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hairballs / laxative | 1–2 mL per day of a feline laxative product for 3–5 days | PO | q24h | 3–5 days |
- Hairballs / laxative: Plumb’s p.844 (Ivey & Morrisey 2000).
Contraindications
Oral dosing by syringe in the mouth (aspiration); dysphagia or depressed swallow reflex; intestinal obstruction requiring surgery. Do not combine with docusate (enhanced oil absorption) or give with activated charcoal (reduces adsorption).
Adverse effects
- Aspiration lipid pneumonia
- Anal leakage
- Reduced absorption of fat-soluble vitamins with chronic use
Formulations and products
- Liquid paraffin / mineral oil (oral)
Before you use this dose
Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dose of Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin) for dogs?
Reference doses for Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin) in dogs: 5–30 mL per dog PO (Papich: 10–50 mL q12h), mixed in food — never forced by syringe PO q12–24h (Laxative (rarely recommended orally)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.
What is the dose of Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin) for cats?
Reference doses for Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin) in cats: 2–10 mL per cat PO in food (Papich: 10–25 mL q12h) PO q12–24h (Laxative / hairballs). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.
What is the dose of Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin) for cattle?
Reference doses for Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin) in cattle: Adults 0.5–4 L by stomach tube; calves 60–120 mL PO as needed (Laxative / toxin cathartic). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.
What is the withdrawal period for Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin)?
Cattle, PO (Laxative / toxin cathartic): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Sheep, PO (Laxative): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Pigs, PO (Laxative): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label. Follow the product label and national regulations where they differ.
When should Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin) not be used?
Oral dosing by syringe in the mouth (aspiration); dysphagia or depressed swallow reflex; intestinal obstruction requiring surgery. Do not combine with docusate (enhanced oil absorption) or give with activated charcoal (reduces adsorption).
What are the side effects of Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin) in animals?
Aspiration lipid pneumonia; Anal leakage; Reduced absorption of fat-soluble vitamins with chronic use.
Sources
- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Papich 5e — Mineral Oil
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition
Last reviewed · VetMasterJi