newbie with two semi ferals 4 monh olds

I hope someone can help! we adopted them about a month ago, they have been improving but are still afraid of people that visit. today they were hiding longer than usual. so, I took them out of hiding and now they are petrified. did I really screw up? I gave the bachs rescue remedy after for the first time since a vet recommended it. has anyone had success with this remedy and any encouragement to how  to help these little ones as well as myself to not give up. thanks:[

Thank you for helping these kittens! I would let them adjust a bit more. Remember, their whole world has changed and hiding is a coping method. My hey may also be shy kitties to begin with and forcing them to do anything will stress them.

We have an eight year old cat who hides under the bed when he hears the mailman. When we have visitors, we don't see him for hours.

Just let them adjust at their own pace. If you have visitors, perhaps one of them can try playing with them with a wand toy. It will help them understand strangers aren't always to be feared.

Thanks, I should have mentioned that we can hold them, if they are on their cat condo they let us pick them up. I would say that they are semi feral. We can be in the same room and they eat, use the litter box and play with themselves. I think they feed off each other as far as fear. How do we get past this without scaring them? Also, do you or anyone you know, use feliway or Bach's rescue remedy? Does it work?

Like @Ondine, one of our kitties - "Bowie" (he's my avatar pic)- literally goes into a panic (he's knocked himself almost out by running into a closed door trying to get out of a room when someone stopped by) even when the mailman comes by. He was very abused as a kitten, but we've had him for over 5 years now in an extremely safe, loving, quiet environment. And still his deepest base instinct is to panic & hide because of the fear stemming from his abuse.

I'm certainly not saying it can't get better - 99% of the time it does- but that the instinct to hide and protect themselves runs deep. Particularly for a feral or semi-feral cat. Their mamas taught them from birth survival only happened if they hide. But you already have kitties who have crossed over into the trust zone if they're playing & eating around you - and particularly if you can pick them up! That's a complete show of trust from a kitten - particularly one born feral. And a month isn't long at all as far as adjustment.

Like @Ondine, I'd suggest having visitors try playing with them with a wand toy like Da Bird (one of the few things that will pull even our most reticent kitties out)...or have them offer something very tempting treat-wise. From a crinkly bag that they recognize the opening of - or something beyond tempting like a bit of tuna.

But ( and I understand the desire to show them off to visitors!!!) don't force them out to interact. My years with cats has taught me this if nothing else - forcing a cat to do anything is basically a waste of time ( I'm kind of kidding but not totally) try having some of your most cat-savvy friends over for repeat visits --utilizing the treat/toy tricks. They hopefully will calm eventually with visitors...but if they don't completely, love their interaction when it's just you...and know you've made their lives so much more wonderful by giving them a loving home.

As far as Rescue Remedy & Feliway --I haven't used Rescue Remedy but have used Feliway. Some cats it helps, some it doesn't. But it certainly doesn't hurt to try them -- I've certainly never had a bad reaction to them!

Yes, it can get better. Chester, our fraidy cat, comes out to visit now with our granddaughter. She moved nearby two years ago and visits frequently. But it took Chester almost a year to peek out at her. He will now stay in the room when she arrives.

But it took a lot of patience on all our parts for that to happen. Hang in there. They will get used to things.

Thought of you - just got an email from Jackson Galaxy (the "My Cat From Hell" guy) that's exactly about your (and @Ondine - "our"  'scaredy cat' issue. @Ondine  - not sure there's any new info in there for you - but it's a nice write up on "scaredy cats!" 

Link is below. 

http://blog.spiritessences.com/mojo...jos-mailbag&utm_term=12092015&utm_content=_01

Very good info. Thanks @ kittychick

thank you, its good to not feel like I'm alone and trying to understand the mental side of a scared cat thoughts. I'm going to check out the link shortly. Charlie and Louie are doing alittle better, and my daughter had Louie on her lap today without touching him and he stayed for a few minutes watching his brother. thanks agagin for the encouraging help.

It seems like slow steps...but slow steps make a long walk! I think you're making GREAT progress!!!!