A cationic polyether amine dispersant for papermaking fibers comprises the polymeric reaction product of a polyether diamine, a polyether bisepoxide and a quaternary ammonium salt. The polyether diamine, the polyether bisepoxide and the quaternary ammonium salt reactants are reacted in the following molar ratios: the molar ratio of amine functionality of the polyether diamine to epoxide functionality of the polyether bisepoxide is from 0.5:1 to 2:1 and the molar ratio of the amine functionality of the polyether diamine to the epoxide functionality of the quaternary ammonium salt is from 10:1 to 40:1. The dispersant is used in stock preparation used in paper products including absorbent products as well as paperboard.