PROGRESS REPORT on little Weezy...

Hello,

Its been three days since I've been back (from a 10 day work trip) and little Weezy has made some progress but unfortunately not so much.

We've been feeding her treats both dry and wet (Gerbers) out of our hands and she's receptive to it.  Inches out a bit to get the treat or eat off our spoon and finger but goes back into hiding.

She never comes out to roam about the apt and hides when we're in the same room. Doesn't eat or use the litter box til we're out of the apt or in the evening when we're asleep.

Yesterday we watched an episode of "My Cat From Hell" where he mentions to try and rid of the cat's hiding places. We did that and she wasn't happy. 

She flew up our stairs and wound up staying at the end of our long hallway pretty much cornered.

There though she allowed us to brush her, feed her more treats and I laid next to her for hours petting her and holding her paws (she a hemingway cat too by the way) as she napped. It was the sweetest time ever.

This morning when we woke up, she found a new hiding spot downstairs and hasn't moved since. We left for about four hours today and she never ate her food. She won't even look at us...

She's the sweetest cat ever. Very calm, hasn't made a peep since she's been with us for almost three weeks.

No bites only scratches when I've tried to pick her up (I've learned now she doesn't like to be) and she has the sweetest disposition.

We are at a cross roads now with how to deal with her. She shows no sign of interest and really wants to be left alone. She likes being fed treats and accommodating to her and her hiding places but won't come out to explore when we're around...

HELP!!!

Aw, poor dear. I know how difficult it is to be patient, but that's what you need. She's not quite ready to settle in, so she just needs to be left alone. The fact that she's out is good but I'd just let her be until she's ready.

You mentioned you were away. For her, that constitutes another change she needs to get used to. If someone new came in to care for her, that's another change. She's been trough a lot and sounds like the kind of cat who just doesn't adjust well.

Give her somapproaching, approaching her when she appears ready. Good luck and thank you for helping her!

Thank you Ondine. My partner has been here the whole time as well and the same has been happening for him. 

Its the waiting game for sure but we just hope she'll come around. We don't think she was feral considering her sweet disposition.

Question though- considering she knows where her food is, should we still offer her treats and "feed" her considering we're going to where she's hiding?

The treats may be keeping her from getting hungry enough to explore.

Try not feeding her treats for a day or so, she will have to come out and eat.  Keep up the pets and socializing - you're not going to give her a treat every time you pet her for the rest of her life, so she might as well realize it now and learn how to navigate her new space.

She will not let herself starve, so you don't need to worry about that.  Thanks you so much for your patience - she has a good home.

I found that it's best to give her a few places to hide that are safe.  When I brought Marvin into the house ( he was a stray turned feral) he had his own room.  I had taken the bed up so he couldn't get under it and I had blocked off behind the book cases and dresser.  One day I went into visit and I could not find him any where.  I was in a panic.  I finally found him wedged behind the mattress and the wall.  It was small dark space.  I thought of blocking it off for him, but reconsidered as I felt he needed a place to feel really safe.  If I needed to get him, all I had to do was move the mattress.  When he started coming out of the room, he needed a safe spot in each room.  He spends alot of time in the den with me and loves hiding under one of the chairs.  I was ready to move the chair out when I realized he needed a place to feel safe when he was out and about in the house.  I guess I wouldn't block off all of her hiding spots.  As long as you can get to her if needed I would leave her a few spots.  Also make sure she has appropriate places such as a cat tree or perch to look out the window.  You could even put a bird feeder outside one of the windows. 

It is a process and she seems quite shy and scared.  Yet, since you were away for quite awhile, you are foreign to her.  The home now sounds and smells different.  She has to get used to you too.