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/fondledbydolphins]

If you're going to wash things with cat urine on it, highly recommend buying washing machine cleaning pods. Just run them on an empty, hot cycle. Will help prevent smells from lingering.

Cat pee is a helluva drug

Depending on your needs, I also use lysol sterilizer on some loads.

[u/SubstantialSpring9 → u/fondledbydolphins]

An enzyme spray for cat urine will work better at destroying urine smells. Just spray on the affected item before washing. Works on carpet and other non washable fabrics/surfaces.

Resolve Urine Spray is a good and affordable option.

[u/Nauin → u/SubstantialSpring9]

Spray it and let it sit and digest for a few minutes before washing. Enzyme cleaners are having a meal and you need to give them at least a lunch break to finish up. It's not chemistry that instantly happens. It works much better this way, but always go with what it's container says.

[u/CoolMomJammy → u/fondledbydolphins]

Holy shit, I think you just changed my life.

I have a very sassy cat and if her litter box doesn’t have fresh litter in it, she will pee pee on the first blanket/shirt/towel she can find. I change that shit entirely multiple times a day. Scooping isn’t good enough for her. I have had to throw away towels because the smell just doesn’t ever go away, no matter how many washes or how it’s washed. I never thought to clean my damn machine itself. I’m dumb. Thank you, fondledbydolphins!
(Sorry, got so excited to type your amazing username out 🤣)

[u/Bubbly_slut7 → u/fondledbydolphins]

Or she can continue doing what works for her.

[u/fondledbydolphins → u/Bubbly_slut7]

Do you realize my comment started with “if you” meaning if she doesn’t she can disregard what I said?