My new cat won't come out of hiding.

cassidyraie

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A week ago today, I brought home a new cat. Her name is Chubbs. 

About Chubbs:

Chubbs is a three year old Dilute Tortoiseshell. I found her on Petfinder, where she was currently living with a foster family. She had been living with the foster family for about two years. After speaking with the family, they told me that they had reason to believe that she was abused up until she was rescued. She was very emaciated, very skittish as if she had been hit/kicked, and her left ear is poorly, and unprofessionally cropped - as if it had been done with a pair of house scissors. They told me that after living with them, she had become extremely friendly and gentle. She'd bat and play, and no longer used her claws. She also loves attention and belly rubs. I met with Chubbs twice before taking her home, and we clicked very well. 

We started having trouble with her after she came home. 

We had everything all ready for her arrival. I had gotten her two beautiful bowls for her food and water, a very comfortable cat bed, a good litter box, and treats and toys. When we got her home, she did seem very nervous, but allowed us to pet and touch her. We decided that we would let her get investigate the house, and get acclimated. Almost immediately, she went into hiding in the bedroom closet. The closet is filled with mostly storage bins that I need to get into frequently. We tried gently coaxing her out with tongue clicks and treats, but after realizing that she wasn't planning on coming out, we left her food and litter box close by for her, and decided to leave her be and relax. Every day or so, we would try to coax her out again once more, but she still wouldn't budge. Over the last two days, she's actually become aggressive. Like I said before, I need to get into the closet frequently because that is where some of my things are kept, such as winter clothes, and things for my computer. But now, if I get too close to her while I'm trying to get something, she viciously claws at my hand and hisses. It's been a week now, and she still won't come out of the closet until we are both asleep, or at work. 

I understand that she's been abused, and is still very scared, and she would need more time than most cats to get acclimated. But I'm not sure what I can do to make her feel more relaxed and understand that we're not trying to hurt her. I'd like it very much if she came out of her own accord and got used to the house and the two of us in it. Does anybody have any ideas at all as to what I can do? It's been a week since we had her now, and I'm really not sure how to go about making her feel comfortable enough to come out. Any suggestions would be wonderful!
 

ruaryx

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I feel like that is pretty normal behavior for a cat in a new environment, especially for a formerly abused cat.  You should set up a room with all of your cat's things (litterbox, food, water, toys, bed, carrier, etc) and leave her alone in there.  A spare bedroom or bathroom would be perfect.  She'll eventually come out and explore more and more.  You can spend some time in the safe room just blinking to her, reading out loud, or just watching tv or something.  The key is get her used to you but to not force too much attention on her while she's still feeling nervous.  It's also important to give her a place or two to hide, like a cat carrier or a box.  

Since you let her have the run of the house immediately, she is probably overwhelmed.   It's normal for her to hide in small spaces because that's how cats feel safe.  Is it possible for you to get her out of the closet and into a safe room?  She is probably acting aggressively now because the closet is used so often and she perceives this as dangerous.  Good luck to you and your new kitty!!  She'll come around eventually and be super grateful for her furrever home.   
 
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cassidyraie

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That's actually a really great idea! The only problem is, that she's too aggressive to actually get out of the closet. I've been moving away the litter box and food a little bit more every night to try and inch her away from the closet. That's really the only thing I can think of right now. But once we can get her out of the closet, that's a really great idea. 
 

ruaryx

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Maybe you can move the storage bins that you need to get to into a different location temporarily so that kitty will be less scared and stop seeing you as a threat. Is she eating and using the litterbox?
 

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Is there room in the closet or nearby you could put down a carrier? Put a nice soft bed or cloth, to be nice and comfy. If there is room to put the food in it, so much the better. If she would get in the carrier, you could close the door and use that to get her to a safe room.

In the safe room it will probably be like starting over, time wise. Give her lots of space, move slowly, not too close. After a few days sit in the room and read, newspaper, book, magazine, etc.Just get her use to you being there. Bless you for understanding and giving her time. She was taken from the first place she ever felt safe, it is like turning her world upside down. Can you visit with the ex foster parents and ask if they have any suggestions?
 

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Maybe you can move the storage bins that you need to get to into a different location temporarily so that kitty will be less scared and stop seeing you as a threat. Is she eating and using the litterbox?
I like this idea. She chose the closet as her safe space. If you can get the items you need to access frequently out of there (just on a temporary basis), you might even have space to put her litter box or her food in the closet with her, as well as the cat bed. I would also put a towel or article of clothing, not something freshly laundered but something you've used that would have your scent, in the space with her so she can start to get used to your presence that way.

Because of her abusive past, and now this massive upheaval in her world, she's reverting back to where she probably started when she first went into foster care. Don't feel bad and don't beat yourself up.....you're providing her with a safe and loving home, you just need to find the right way to communicate that to her.

Reducing the "invasions" in her chosen safe spot will help tremendously. Also, as was suggested, change the nature of your interactions with her. Rather than trying to coax her out, which can feel threatening to an animal cornered and trying to hide, just be with her. Go in the room with the closet door cracked open, lie on the floor and read a book. Bring something to play a little music, preferably classical. There's an awesome YouTube channel called Relax My Cat, pick any of their videos. Be in the room with her and let her get used to your presence without feeling like you're trying to invade her space (I know that's not your intention at all, just may be the way it's coming across to her).

When you are able to make eye contact with her, do a slow blink, then look away. Sustained eye contact can be seen as threatening to a frightened cat, but the slow blink says "I love you". Do that as often as you can when you're with her and able to make eye contact. If you feel yourself getting frustrated or upset, leave the room, otherwise she'll be reading that energy off of you. Put yourself in a calm state of mind and just BE with her.

Once she gets used to you making eye contact with her, you can talk to her softly. As she begins to relax around you, she'll sit closer to you, in a more visible location, but still may not want you to pet her. You can begin to lightly engage her with wand toys and see if you can get her feeling playful. If the wand toys cause her to retreat or scare her in any way, pull them back.

Don't try and coax her out until she makes a move to come out towards you. This may take days, even weeks. As long as she's eating food (likely when you're not around) and using the litter box, she's okay.

Eventually she will gingerly venture out. It's important that when she does, you don't make a move yet. Ideally she will come out of the closet sometime while you're lying on the floor near her. You can extend an arm (palm up and open) and she may come close enough to sniff. Don't try to pet her.

She'll get there, just keep the faith.

Last thought: You might reach out to the faster family and ask how long she took to adjust when they brought her in and what particular tricks (if any) worked to bring her around. If her case is severe enough maybe they would let you borrow an item of clothing or something with their scent that you can use to give her something familiar.
 
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Columbine

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You've had some wonderful advice here already. You may find these articles helpful too[article="32804"][/article][article="32735"][/article][article="30274"][/article][article="30307"][/article][article="30316"][/article]
 
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cassidyraie

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You all have such wonderful advice! Thank you all so much! The first few days, she wouldn't eat or use the litter box, but now she seems at least a little more comfortable, so she's eating and using the litter box now. I've sent an email to the foster family, and they've offered to come sit with her if things get any worse. Thank you all so much!
 

momofmaxwell

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Hi why was her ear clipped? Here in Canada that is what we do when we trap ferals & have them spayed or neutered.The US I don't know.But is well known here in feral land Canada.

Did she originally come from a colony? HMM.If you have the fosters come over get them to tell you all the details of what her sleeping habits were.Litterbox duties,foods etc.Write it all down.Ask them if they can bring something from their home that has THEIR scent that can go in her closet area for her to smell.They are extremely sensitive creatures.Patience.C.
 

hexiesfriend

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I had a similar issue with a kitten I found that had been attacked by a wild animal and had her tail severely damaged. It will take a few weeks for her to calm down and come out but it will happen mine is rubbing up against my hand right now as I'm typing. Getting down on the floor and being smaller than her may get her at least out of the closet and investigating you. Because of her history I recommend once she does become affectionate that you pet with a light touch and pet just the head and neck anything vigorous will get you a growl and a nip it's understandable. With patience she'll come around
Here's mine now:
 

ellag

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we adopted a 4 month old kitten from a rescue who seemed friendly enough at petco but once we got him home he disappeared for 3 weeks.  no one knew his history but he was really scared of humans. it was months before we could actually pet him without him flinching and running off. he would come out at night those first few weeks to eat and use the litter box. he never had an accident though. he eventually became very affectionate with us but remained afraid of strangers his whole life. it just takes time and patience. she'll come around when she's ready. since she spent 2 years with a loving family it shouldn't take too long..
 
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cassidyraie

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@MomofMaxwell  Her ear was cropped by the people that had abused her. They simply took a pair of scissors and cut off part of her ear. 
 

Columbine

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Oh. My. God. :jaw: :bawling: How can people DO that??? No wonder she's so wary of you at the moment. I'm sure she'll relax and start to trust you once she realises that you're nothing like those evil people.
 

stephanietx

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You have gotten some great advice.  Thank you for not giving up on this kitty and for seeking help in her transition into your home.  I have found that time, patience, and a steady supply of food works wonders.  One word of advice I would give is to not leave food down for her.  Each time you go in, bring her food.  That way, she'll equate you with a good thing (food).  I think you're on the right track.
 

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I agree, you have some good advice here. I just wanted to add that as trying as it may be right now, once you win her trust, you will likely have a loving, lovely kitty. My previous cat was timid and shy (not abused though) and once she came around and trusted me, we had a great bond and relationship.
 
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cassidyraie

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It's been about five weeks, and Chubbs is still in the wall. I still refuse to give up on her, but I'm starting to lose hope.

I really need help and advice. 
 
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ondine

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I am so sorry I have missed this thread! We have a tortoiseshell named Teresa who has her own room. She doesn't mind people but hates our other cats, with one exception - her brother. And he will only spend about ten minutes with her!

She is the sweetest cat but it took almost six years for her to be comfortable being petted. We still can't pick her up. We can finely brush her and she now loves it.

Having said that, she was never abused, so maybe part of Chubbs' issue may be just her personality. She may just be a shy cat with additional issues who has been in upheaval. That would cause me to take my time adjusting.

If you don't have a Feliway diffuser, get one. Play some classical music or a quiet talk show all day for her. Sit quietly and read out loud to her. All of these things will help her get used to you and the new home. But the main thing is patience, patience, patience. You are such a wonderful person to adopt this cat, knowing about her issues. She's your roommate for life, so you have plenty of time to get to know her and vice versa.

Please don't expect her to be anything other than herself. You are still learning who that is, so take your time and enjoy her.

Blessings on you both through this journey.
 

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It's been about five weeks, and Chubbs is still in the wall. I still refuse to give up on her, but I'm starting to lose hope.

I really need help and advice. 
Man, she's a tough nut to crack. How are you interacting with her? Is she eating and using the litter box still?
 

dandila

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Please don't lose hope...she needs you very much.  She just doesn't know it yet.  Five weeks is nothing in cat time.

You say she is in the wall?  Do you mean she's still in the closet?  Have you tried sitting just outside the "wall" talking softly or reading to her so she gets used to hearing you?  Have you been bringing the food so she has to interact with you to eat or are you just leaving it for her?
 

feralvr

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It's been about five weeks, and Chubbs is still in the wall. I still refuse to give up on her, but I'm starting to lose hope.

I really need help and advice. 
:alright: OK - these are my thoughts. Chubbs is not going to come out on of the wall/closet on her own at this point. She needs to be trapped/or coaxed inside of a cat carrier.. You may actually have to potentially treat her as if you were trapping an outdoor feral cat - even though she is not. She NEEDS to come out of the closet or you will never make any progress. Once trapped, you need to put her in a small room with NO PLACE she can hide where you are unable to reach her easily but at the same time she needs cubbies and even some cardboard boxes to hide inside. A cat tree in the room is a plus as well. Lots of comfy beds and all of her necessities. Pick some beautiful music to play in her room as well and add the Feliway diffusers. Spend much time in that room each day with her reading to her, working on your laptop or even watching TV.

Chubbs may always be a very, very skittish kitty. I have one of those and his name is Perkins. He only allowed my husband to begin petting him this year and he if FIVE years old. Raised by me as a feral kitten. Some cats have a very wide range of personalities and temperaments and only when we get to know them do we find out where they may fall in those categories. It could potentially take weeks or months for Chubbs to begin to feel comfortable around you and in your home but I assure SHE WILL !!!! Having her confined to a small place will allow her and you to bond and begin a trusting relationship. Cats need a schedule and an exact routine to rely on and that will help move things along too.

I had a cat - well before I even had feral cat experience - that hid under a bed for weeks and weeks at our home. It was only until I contacted a feral cat organization that I learned how to do things "right". In a way - you have to gently push yourself on the cat. A cat will become very aggressive if they are hiding and you are trying to reach in and potentially pull them out. Chubbs may also benefit from an anti-depressant from your vet just temporarily to get her through her nerves. She is SO scared right now having to live in the closet and she doesn't know which way to turn or go. YOU have to make the decisions for her and show her the way!!!! Hope this helps some and don't ever give up hope. She was friendly once before - regardless of her abusive past - she will be friendly again once trust is solidified BUT you need the right tools to make that happen.

I am trying to post an article but having computer issues and will try again later - it is a great article on socializing cats. :nod:
 
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