r/cats • u/catseyesociety • Jul 23 '26

Video - OC My “squeeze” routine with 7 incontinent cats.

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.

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.

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u/Prince-Lee Jul 23 '26

Thank you for taking care of them. 🥰

I do have a question. Why do this on pee pads, rather than, for example, in a bathtub or shower? Wouldn't that be easier to clean and less expensive overall?

2.8k

u/catseyesociety Jul 23 '26

I used to express them in the toilet, but the very simple and lame answer is that it kills my back. I have to squat slightly higher than is comfortable and lean over. The same with my bathtub.

749

u/regoapps Asian Jul 23 '26

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.

471

u/feed_me_ravioli Jul 23 '26

Can vouch for the reusable pee pads. They were a lifesaver when cat litter became too uncomfortable for my declawed rescue

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u/fondledbydolphins Jul 23 '26

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.

46

u/SubstantialSpring9 Jul 23 '26

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.

30

u/Nauin Jul 23 '26

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.

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u/CoolMomJammy Jul 23 '26

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 🤣)

1

u/rydenshep Sep 07 '26

Putting cleaning vinegar in the fabric softener slot or soaking things in vinegar for a bit also helps!

1

u/Bubbly_slut7 Jul 23 '26

Or she can continue doing what works for her.

1

u/fondledbydolphins Jul 24 '26

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

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u/Ryoko_Kusanagi69 Jul 23 '26

Yeah we used them a ton in my old job , and for around the cat box, elderly family members, and I got some for my babies changing station and bed.

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u/Lola-Ugfuglio-Skumpy Jul 23 '26

Do you have a brand you recommend?

2

u/CarrotCumin Jul 23 '26

Resolve works really well. My cat got closed in my bedroom and peed on my bed and it soaked into the mattress and sat for hours and was absolutely foul. I thought I was going to have to get a new mattress, but I just soaked the puddle in resolve and left it overnight and it completely and totally removed the smell.

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u/nvrseriousseriously Jul 23 '26

Used them all over for my incontinent dog. I have a bunch. Work great. And Lysol makes a great detergent add disinfectant. Gets rid of any smells. (My orange sought revenge for a full litter box and unleashed his pee on the guest bed)