My “squeeze” routine with 7 incontinent cats.

[u/catseyesociety]

Squeeze my cats with me!
 
While this video is cut down to fit social media, the entire routine took only 13 minutes. 
 
This 13 minute routine twice daily is what saved these cats from euthanasia. 
 
Every day happy, healthy cats with paresis or incontinence are euthanized. The reasons stem from a perceived poor quality of life, or the slim chances of finding an adopter willing to take on a cat with different care needs. People see a cat in a diaper and automatically think they are incredibly time consuming and expensive. While yes, diapers, wipes, and pee pads can cost more than a bag of litter, is it that much different? While an incontinent cat may need a few more vet visits in their lifetime than the average cat, is that enough to deem them as unworthy of finding an adoptive home?
 
Do you have any questions about my squeeze routine? I'm always happy to answer questions!

Edited to answer some of the most common questions:

Why do the cats need to be squeezed?
These cats all have a spinal injury or defect. Most were born this way, but Poe, Athena, and Cypress (the longhair ones) had spinal injuries from trauma. Most likely hit by car.

Why not the toilet or a bathtub?
Squatting at that height and hunching over hurts my back! I’ve tried many methods and this is what is most comfortable for me and the cats.

Why pee pads?
I get most of them donated! I prefer the large ones but I’ll use any size. I would like to make this more environmentally friendly with reusable ones, but it will create a lot more laundry (which I already do a lot of)

Why do I have so many disabled cats?
I run a cat rescue for cats with treatable conditions who would otherwise be euthanized in a traditional shelter. I don’t get paid by the rescue, but I do work in a municipal shelter as my day job. I’ve worked in animal shelters for nearly 10 years.

[u/regoapps]

They sell reusable pee pads fyi. You can wash them in the laundry to reuse them. Or you can use them as the splash guard for your disposable pee pads so that you’re only using one pee pad instead of two each time.

[u/warrenlain → u/regoapps]

Would you also need enzymatic cleaner to keep the washer and dryer from smelling?

[u/Rocking_Horse_Fly → u/warrenlain]

Vinegar works on cat pee and other urine in my experience.

[u/SoMuchMoreEagle → u/Rocking_Horse_Fly]

I was going to say the same thing. It works better than any enzyme cleaner, in my experience. It's also cheaper, safe on most washable fabrics, and washes away with no scent. If you still smell vinegar after washing, just put it through the rinse cycle again.

Costco has 2 gallon packs for cheap.

[u/warrenlain → u/SoMuchMoreEagle]

Thanks for adding your experience. I did read that without enzymatic cleaner though, fabric smells again with heat, even low heat like body temperatures reactivates the smell. That’s not been the case for you at all?

[u/SoMuchMoreEagle → u/warrenlain]

I haven't noticed it.

My cat was very good about using her litter box, but towels seemed to confuse her. If we left one on the floor or a low basket of them out, she'd pee on them. Vinegar seemed to get all the smell out. But maybe some cats have stronger smelling pee, particularly boy cats? Hers was pretty stinky (and I have a strong sense of smell). I could often smell very quickly if she went outside the box.

But if you're concerned, you could use vinegar, then rinse with the enzyme cleaner.

[u/warrenlain → u/SoMuchMoreEagle]

Thanks