Our verly elderly cat recently died, and, feeling very lonely, last weekend, we adopted another cat -- a 5 year old female who was in the shelter because her prior owner went to a nursing home. We selected her because she seemed so friendly and loving, and that is the way she was on the first day.
Since then, each and every day she has grown significantly more reclusive. The 2nd day with us, she stayed under the bed but would come to the edge to play with us. Then she stopped responding to us, and moved further back, only to come out when we are asleep to eat and use the box. Two nights ago my husband accidently left the basement door open, and since then, and she has been huddled in a dark corner in the back of a closet under stuff. (It was almost impossible to find her.) My husband says that she isn't a bad "guest" because she is very neat (she is a neater eater than our beloved old cat), doesn't scratch, and uses the box. I am thinking that I didn't want just a guest and that she might not be the right fit for our household. I want a more interactive cat, and obviously she isn't happy being with us.
How long should it take for a cat to adjust to a new house, and given that each day is getting worse, is there any hope for this to improve? We do feel confident that she is healthy. She eats well, grooms herself, and, when we can find her, really does look good. Help.
Since then, each and every day she has grown significantly more reclusive. The 2nd day with us, she stayed under the bed but would come to the edge to play with us. Then she stopped responding to us, and moved further back, only to come out when we are asleep to eat and use the box. Two nights ago my husband accidently left the basement door open, and since then, and she has been huddled in a dark corner in the back of a closet under stuff. (It was almost impossible to find her.) My husband says that she isn't a bad "guest" because she is very neat (she is a neater eater than our beloved old cat), doesn't scratch, and uses the box. I am thinking that I didn't want just a guest and that she might not be the right fit for our household. I want a more interactive cat, and obviously she isn't happy being with us.
How long should it take for a cat to adjust to a new house, and given that each day is getting worse, is there any hope for this to improve? We do feel confident that she is healthy. She eats well, grooms herself, and, when we can find her, really does look good. Help.
