rescued feral won't come out from under bed

there was a feral cat that I was feeding outside for about  4 years  at my apt complex. he would not let me pet him but would  come very close to me to get at his food plate.  my companion cat died this spring and   it took me several months to trap  this cat with a drop trap. I immediately took him to the vet ( before the vet I thought he was a she ) where the vet determined that the cat was a male, fiv  positive and probably about 7 years old. Except for some old scars and some broken teeth the vet said he seemed to be in good health based on his physical exam and baseline cbc and chemistry blood work. I brought him home oct 9th afternoon and put him in his own quiet room dark room with food, water, litter box, toys, cat tree, scratching post, feliway diffuser etc  and initially he would not eat or urinate.    Now he does seem to  eat some food at night  and there was urine and stool in the litter box this morning. He spends all his time  under my bed . is there anything I should be doing to make him feel more comfortable to come out? in my apt I  also have 2 rescued  fixed   sister cats  that are 18 months old and socialized and lived with other cats in their foster home before I adopted them. thanks

He is just going to need time. It's a good thing that he is eating and using the litter box.

That's wonderful that you to have adopted this guy, he will live out his golden years in safety and comfort & lots of love... He just doesn't know it quite yet

Spend time with him, talk to him or maybe just hang out and read aloud. Bring in some treats and start by sitting a few close to where he likes to hang out, then go sit where he can see you.

I think it's important that you don't have a time frame set in your mind. Time, patience and a routine that he can expect (plus all the other things you are already doing for him) and he will adapt.

There are many more knowledgable people on here regarding bringing in ferals and long time strays that will be along with more detailed advice but I wanted to reassure you that it sounds like you are doing fine with him.

Thanks again for bringing this guy in, he is a lucky kitty

Thank you so much for adopting this guy!  He needs you more than he realizes.  I agree with LotsoFur - he needs time to adjust and get acclimated to the new situation.  It won't hurt for him to hide under the bed for the time being.  It is a safe place for him.  However, in a few weeks, if you can, put the bed on the floor and offer him a cat tree or carrier to make his own.

If you have time, sit in the room and talk to him or read out loud to him.  It will get him used to your presence and voice.  You can also try tempting him with a wand toy and see if he'll come out.  Let him decide and set the pace.

 . the bed is a big wooden captains bed with wooden drawers  and he is hunkered down in one of them ( i put the food in the drawer ) so i can't turn the bed on its side. there is a cat tree and an open carrier in his room. i spent time in his room this morning reading to him. it is hard to get  physically close to him because how he has  situated himself.  he doesn't touch food i leave out during the day but   last night he ate some so he may feel only comfortable eating at night at this much.thanks so much for your encouragement and expertise.

I would be sure to place the bed directly on the floor so that he cannot get under.  Also block off areas where he could squeeze behind or under bookcases, dressers or other large pieces of furniture.  You need to get on the floor and think like a cat!  Look for all areas where he could squeeze under or behind.  Then do provide with him a safe place to hide such as a cat tree that has a hiding box or even just a plain card board box with a cozy blanket.  A cat tree by a window ( just always keep it closed) is often enjoyed by cats.

I also would get a feliway diffuser and some Composure liquid max calming supplement.  Both might really help him to feel better. 

I brought a feral cat into my home 2 years ago.  He had a room of his own for a solid year.  I had another cat and a large dog in the home for him to get used to.  I had a small cat tree for him that became his safe house.  He loved it and retreated to it all the time for safety. 

Be sure to visit as often as possible.  You can bring him a special treat when you enter so that he will associate you with something yummy.  Be sure to sit on the floor so you don't loom over him.  You can also play some soft music for him.

thanks shadow rescue. logistics are such that really can't block off the underside of the bed bed.  feliway diffuser was on before he  even came into the room. he has a cat tree with a box that he can go in.i have tried treats ( 'bounce" but he does not like them. any suggestions for treats that may entice him? the drawer he stays in has a blanket and some of my old teeshirts with my smell on them.

loriflamingo said:

 
thanks shadow rescue. logistics are such that really can't block off the underside of the bed bed.  feliway diffuser was on before he  even came into the room. he has a cat tree with a box that he can go in.i have tried treats ( 'bounce" but he does not like them. any suggestions for treats that may entice him? the drawer he stays in has a blanket and some of my old teeshirts with my smell on them.

Click to expand...

A lot of cats don't like composure treats.  Try Composure liquid max.  You can find it online.  Amazon and Entirelypets.com seem to have the best prices.  You can mix it into his wet food 2x a day.  I started by doubling the morning dose and giving a normal dose at night.  It's chicken flavored and most cats are ok with it.

Is there any way to block off under the bed since you can't put the bed on the floor?  It's really in his best interest if he not be allowed under the bed. 

My friend, I've been there. I have a cat that spent almost a year under the bed. I had a litter box and food there (not the best for sleep). Fast forward 7 years and this guy is on the bed with the other cats, and asking for attention. It was probably 6-9 months before I noticed him spending time out in the open. Like another poster said, it's a matter of letting the cat get comfortable in his own time. You've probably experienced that just when you stop anxiously watching, you notice the cat darting out to check out the new surroundings.  Thank you for taking in this homeless guy.   

thanks for the encouragement!!. i put the food and water under the bed in the drawer he stays in. i know he comes out at night to use the litter box  because it is not under the bed.  i sit in his room every day and read to him. i play  a  .cd with harp music to calm him. he stays way back of the underside of the bed and has not come out yet while i am in the room. as long as he continues to eat,  urinate and defecate and doesn't appear ill i   can be patient.

People like you really give me hope. There are days when I feel as though I'm the only one who cares about these frightened creatures. Then I read a post like yours and it lifts my spirits. Thanks for being so caring.

thank you for your kind thoughts. what ever happens in the f future with him i'm happy he no longer will be the victim of attacks from other cats and wildlife  will be warm as the temperatures chill.

Your story struck a chord, we had been feeding a cat for a few months before tnr'ing her in August. She spent 3 weeks down behind the washing machine! she now sleeps on the outside furniture, smoches on the deck,  walks around the house, and comes when we call her but we still cannot touch her... the best advice I got was to forget your time frame... it os lovely to now that they are safe, and after a while they will realise that too.Do not despair!

 thank you for sharing your story , it gives me hope.

I know everyone's saying put bed on the floor (my Recc) but sounds like you can't. It's not pretty - but we've used Saran Wrap and duct tape to wind around drawered pieces so they can't get in them. It would mean giving him a comfy carrier or box as alternative, then winding off /covering the whole bottom of your bed, but I can almost guarantee without that much of a cave to hide in,you'll shorten socialization time by months, minimally. It's a pain, takes time, but reducing his retreat areas (especially ones you can't really get to) makes a BIG difference in the long run. Ends up making you forget how stupid you felt with all that Saran Wrap

 thanks for the input.

tnrmakessense said:

 
My friend, I've been there. I have a cat that spent almost a year under the bed. I had a litter box and food there (not the best for sleep). Fast forward 7 years and this guy is on the bed with the other cats, and asking for attention. It was probably 6-9 months before I noticed him spending time out in the open. Like another poster said, it's a matter of letting the cat get comfortable in his own time. You've probably experienced that just when you stop anxiously watching, you notice the cat darting out to check out the new surroundings.  Thank you for taking in this homeless guy.   

Click to expand...

We rescued a cat like too. She had no human contact as a kitten was a stray. The first year we had he she only came out at night when we had all gone to sleep. Nowadays she wont sit on our laps but she is happy to sit next too us and get a good stroke. You can't pressure cats, you just have to let them come to you even if it takes time.

just an update. dexter has had alot of health issues and recently spent a week in the hospital for severe diarrhea, anorexia and straining in the litter box and round worms. he has gotten somewhat better and is now home again. update on his behavior is that he now doesn't run under his bed when I enter the room and will even play teaser with me and sometimes lets me touch his paws. he will not let me  let me pet him at this point so i will need to see if a vet tech can come over to administer his future doses of  Revolution. thanks to everybody for their invaluable expertise and support.