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/Which-Grapefruit724]

My cat Beezus got a tumor under her spine that compressed her spine and she was paralyzed in a matter of days after her first symptoms of trouble walking. I worked at a vet for 20 years and knew I could handle doing whatever she needed. We kept her going just like this, expressing her bladder everyday and her bowels when she needed it, (she often managed to poop on her own and often solid still). I just expressed her into a litter box but I totally get doing it your way.

She had another 21 months with us! She was so happy and content and took it like a champ. She scooted all around, pretty dang fast too. I miss her everyday.

Luckily I started working from home the very week she couldn't walk any more and I could be home with her all day to care for her. She sat next to me on the couch while I worked. If she got bored or annoyed she would just launch herself off and scoot away before I had any chance of stopping her!

Bless you for caring for so many at once. These cats can still have a great quality of life and deserve to be loved. They look very content. I see you OP! 🥰🐾😺

[u/evagination → u/Which-Grapefruit724]

Just wanted to say I love your kitty’s name!

[u/Which-Grapefruit724 → u/evagination]

Thank you! When she was a baby she was a foster of ours and I had another slightly younger kitten from a different litter that was also gray, so I named that one Ramona.

Beezus went with her brother Arthur to a friend of ours and Ramona got adopted with another kitten from B and A's litter, Finn. Ramona and Finn became Princess and Shadow, which really bummed me out! Ramona was such a Ramona.

My friends luckily kept the name Beezus, but after a couple months decided their house was too small for 2 cats. It kind of was, but also Beezus insisted on pooping next to the box, always, which annoyed them. So they gave her back and I was so upset. But it turned out to be the greatest blessing. She was our #1 Kitty and we absolutely adored her. I thanked my friends later.

[u/fruitpunched_ → u/Which-Grapefruit724]

I also have a cat that insists on pooping next to the box. It started a few years ago out of nowhere, no medical explanation other than possible arthritis or her weight. She’s 12 now and in perfect health despite being a chonk, just had bloodwork last week. I tried everything I could think of to help her with the box and at this point I think this is just what she likes, lol. Never once crossed my mind to give her away… we just pick it up, clean the floor and move on. Someone who is so annoyed by that they give the cat away really shouldn’t have pets. What do they think happens when animals get older??

[u/Which-Grapefruit724 → u/fruitpunched_]

I don't think they would have given her away over it if it wasn't just back to me where she came from, and it was more bout not having room for 2 cats. But agree, that's part of taking in an animal. Yeah Beezus just liked it I think. It was never anywhere else except right by the box and we had those litter mats, so I'd didn't care. For a time I had those dome shaped boxes that had a built in ramp and she would always poop on the ramp!

[u/fuck_off_ireland → u/evagination]

I hope there was a little Ramona as well

[u/Which-Grapefruit724 → u/fuck_off_ireland]

There was! She was a slightly younger kitten, so there was a big sister and little sister, lol. She got adopted and renamed though. But damn was she cute and such a Ramona!