Adopted 2 cats months ago - still hiding!

Hello,

I was hoping for advice on my cats. We took on 2 cats from a family friend, in December and they're both still absolutely terrified of us!

They are eating, drinking, playing and using the litter tray perfectly fine but spend most the their time hiding! On the off chance I do see one of them  "out in the open" - i.e in the living room, they will immediately run away and hide. 

They weren't mistreated in their previous home, so I'm not sure why they are so scared here.

We are currently keeping them indoors, until they have settled in but it just seems to be taking such a long time. I'm starting to feel like they will never settle!

I have tried feliway in the past but didn't notice any different in their behaviour, however I have ordered a refill and will give it another go.

Does anyone else have any advice? Or experience in this?

Thanks!

First off, how old are the cats and have them been to the vet since you brought them to your home.  Have they been spayed/neutered?  What was the circumstance of them coming to live with you?

When you first bring new cats into your home, it is often best to keep them in one room for awhile.  The room should be cat proofed ( bed off the floor or mattress right on floor, blocking behind bookcases and other furniture) to prevent the cats from hiding in places you don't want them to.  Yet they do need a safe hiding place.  This can be a hiding box in a cat tree or a plain cardboard box turned on it's side with a cozy blanket or towel.  You want the room to have toys and fun things for them, but also to be safe.

When you visit them, talk softly to them and sit directly on the floor.  Do not loom over them as this is threatening.  Try not to make direct eye contact either.  When you come to visit, bring a yummy special treat.  This can be regular cat treats or something special such as plain cooked chicken, tuna or salmon.  Offer the treat when you come in to visit.  They may not take it right away or even come out, but they will know it's from you.  Sit and talk to them.  Even read aloud from a book/magazine.  Just tell them they are safe.  Visit often for short periods.  When you leave, give another treat.  Food is often a way to a cats heart.

You can also leave music or a tv on for them. 

Feliways are good, but you might need something more.  I really like Composure liquid max calming supplement.  It helps to calm cats without sedating.  YOu can find it on Amazon.  They do sell it in treat form, but some cats don't like the treats and it takes a lot of treats for one dose.  Mixing into wet food with the liquid is much easier. 

You also can check out Jackson Galaxy's Spirit Essences. 

Ask lots of questions and hopefullly others will chime in too.  We are here to help.

Thanks for your reply!

They are just over a year old. We have taken the boy cat to the vet and got him neutered but that was took weeks of making appointments, then cancelling because we couldn't lure him out. The girl cat hasn't been spayed yet and I will take her to the vet, once she settles in a bit better. At the moment, I really don't want to traumatise her even more by trying to catch her and putting her through the operation. There is no chance of her escaping and going outside, so no need to worry about her getting pregnant. 

They came to us because a family friend no longer wanted them, so was going to put them on Gumtree. Our cat had unfortunately died a few months previously, so we were always going to get another cat at some point and when we found out about these two, we couldn't say no!

We kept them in one room for over a month (with bedding, litter tray, food, toys, scratching post etc) and then was told by several people (by our vet and a few local cat charities), to let them out to explore the rest of the house as hearing noises from outside the room could be scaring them even more. 

I am glad you had them vetted first.  You will want to get the female spayed when you can as she will come into heat and there will be a change in her behavior.  Fortunately she can't get pregnant, but the heat cycle(s) will be difficult on her and maybe you too.  Getting her to the vet will be hard for her, but she will get over it.  A tip is to get a carrier and start to feed her in it.  Put the food outside it first, then after a few days, move it just inside.  Every few days move it back further until it is all the way in the back.  When you schedule the spay, feed as normal ( just give a tiny bit) and when she goes into eat, close the door.  I had a soft chair cushion that I used to block the exit while I got it shut or zipped.  Once she is inside, cover the carrier with a sheet or towel.  This often helps to calm a cat. 

Do you know anything about what they were like with their previous owner?  WHy didn't he want them any more.  My guess is that they didn't have much human interaction.

This will require alot of work.  Just take it slowly.  I think I might put them back in a safe room again as the entire house is just too much.  They can hide from you anywhere.  In a safe room, you can cat proof the room and socialize them much easier.  It is harder for them to escape.  Just be sure the room is safe.  Also if there is a bed, pick it up or put it directly on the floor so they cannot hide under it.  Block behind bookcases and other furniture.  Yet do give them a safe place to hide. 

Try the tips I suggested.  Just a little bit each day.  I would visit them as often as you can for short times.  Just be sure to sit and speak softly. 

Have you tried to play with them?  Maybe a laser pointer.  Catnip toys or furry mice?  Do they have a cat tree or scratching post or places they can get up high? 

Thank you for taking the time to help these two.  It is a challenge for sure.  If you just let them be, they will not all at once decide to come around.  It will take time, patience and love.  They need to learn to trust.  That is step one.