Paralyzed Kitten Couldn’t Contain His Zooms After Getting A Wheelchair, Grew Up Into A Handsome Cat
In 2016, a video of Mac ‘n’ Cheez, a tiny kitten with paralyzed back legs, using a tiny “wheelchair” to test out his full zooming potential went viral. Since then, the handsome ginger cat has learned how to get around on two legs, with or without a harness or wheels.
Mac was found hiding in a discarded mac ‘n’ cheese box and brought to Massapequa Vet in Long Island, New York, where it was determined that his back legs were paralyzed due to nerve damage. His first brush with fame soon followed, when the clinic uploaded videos and pictures of him doing water therapy and trying out a custom-built wheeled harness made of Lego.
The tiny kitten was rescued from the streets in 2016
Image credits: Mac-N-Cheez
Image credits: Massapequa Pet Vet
Image credits: Mac-N-Cheez
Image credits: Julia Modas
A video of him “zooming” with a wheeled harness made of repurposed building toys
Image credits: Julia Modas
Image credits: Julia Modas
Image credits: Julia Modas
Wheels for disabled cats and dogs are nothing new, but most animals don’t use them indoors, as it’s not possible to maneuver in confined spaces, sit or lie down while using them. Cat wheelchairs are an option for taking a disabled pet out for a walk, as are slings assisted by the owner, especially for animals that have limited use of their hind legs and can stand on them to an extent. Mac, now almost 4 years old, sometimes puts his back feet under himself and stands up, but has little control over them and is more reliable at scooting using his front legs, which appear strong enough to climb onto furniture. As a result of the position of his back legs, he also has an almost human-like resting position.
The resourceful ginger cat has very strong front legs
Image credits: Julia Modas
Image credits: Julia Modas
Image credits: Mac-N-Cheez
Caring for a cat with rear-leg paralysis comes with a number of challenges. Scooting around the house can cause injuries or wear and tear on the legs and hips, so for safe scooting, some owners put a specialized article of clothing called a drag bag or a scoot sack on their pet. Depending on the degree of feeling and control they have over their lower body, incontinence is also a common issue, with some paraplegic pets wearing diapers, or the opposite problem in which they have to be stimulated to do their business several times a day.
Caring for a paraplegic cat requires a dedicated owner
Image credits: Mac-N-Cheez
Image credits: Mac-N-Cheez
Image credits: Massapequa Pet Vet
Image credits: Massapequa Pet Vet
Image credits: Mac-N-Cheez
Despite the challenges of caring for a cat with rear leg paralysis, people who are willing to take on the commitment wouldn’t trade it for anything! Cats who get around on two legs have become therapy cats, like one cat on wheels who visits nursing home residents; office assistant cats, like this sociable fellow who keeps patients company at a vet clinic; and Instagram stars like Chloe, who scoots to the top of stairs and cat trees with ease.
Here’s what commenters thought
So fast and furious! Such a strong boy! I love him! And God bless you guys for helping him and God bless the cat!
Don't you mean fast and 'furry-ous'? I'm gonna go throw myself of a ledge now.
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One of my fosters was paralyzed and had to be held over the toilet a number of times a day, to express urine and manipulate any stool, a wipe with a baby cloth and away she went to pursue kitty stuff. She was a very sweet cat.
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1000000000000/10 would love to adopt one of those poor babys. He is so cute
Did you see how he fought them when they picked him up after giving him his first wheelchair. He was like "Dude..Put me down! I haven't moved this fast in forever!!!"
Just wonderful to see this! :-) Thank you for sharing
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Tina is absolutely right. People who love animals are literally saving humanity, those who exploit, abuse, torture, and kill animals, especially for entertainment and pleasure, are destroying it. Animals bring the best out of people. The human rights and (social) justice is impossible to achieve without animal rights - period!!!! "We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals. Animals suffer as much as we do. TRUE humanity does NOT allow us to impose such suffering on them. It is our duty to make the whole world recognize it. Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will NOT find peace." - Albert Schweitzer, German protestant clergyman, music scholar, philosopher, an physician. He received the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1953.
My dad showed me this video IN 2016. I totally remembered him and didn't know what had happened to him until now! Im so happy that he got to live his life!
The world would be a drearier place without such balls of courageous fluff to inspire us.
Thank God for people like this to care for animals in need. Their patience and strength are only matched by the love and commitment they bring to the animals who need it the most!
I am so happy to find out that this cute kitty got a human that loves him despite his disability.
So fast and furious! Such a strong boy! I love him! And God bless you guys for helping him and God bless the cat!
Don't you mean fast and 'furry-ous'? I'm gonna go throw myself of a ledge now.
Load More Replies... One of my fosters was paralyzed and had to be held over the toilet a number of times a day, to express urine and manipulate any stool, a wipe with a baby cloth and away she went to pursue kitty stuff. She was a very sweet cat.
miniature poodle breeders florida maltipoo near me brown poodle small teacup maltese poodle toy poodle puppies near me buy maltipoo buy mini poodle
Load More Replies... 1000000000000/10 would love to adopt one of those poor babys. He is so cute
Did you see how he fought them when they picked him up after giving him his first wheelchair. He was like "Dude..Put me down! I haven't moved this fast in forever!!!"
Just wonderful to see this! :-) Thank you for sharing
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maltese poodle for sale black maltipoo puppies for sale mini toy poodle miniature poodle puppies florida black maltipoos maltese puppies for sale near me mini poodle brown maltipoo lifespan buy a poodle buy a poodle ma
Tina is absolutely right. People who love animals are literally saving humanity, those who exploit, abuse, torture, and kill animals, especially for entertainment and pleasure, are destroying it. Animals bring the best out of people. The human rights and (social) justice is impossible to achieve without animal rights - period!!!! "We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals. Animals suffer as much as we do. TRUE humanity does NOT allow us to impose such suffering on them. It is our duty to make the whole world recognize it. Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will NOT find peace." - Albert Schweitzer, German protestant clergyman, music scholar, philosopher, an physician. He received the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1953.
My dad showed me this video IN 2016. I totally remembered him and didn't know what had happened to him until now! Im so happy that he got to live his life!
The world would be a drearier place without such balls of courageous fluff to inspire us.
Thank God for people like this to care for animals in need. Their patience and strength are only matched by the love and commitment they bring to the animals who need it the most!
I am so happy to find out that this cute kitty got a human that loves him despite his disability.
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