New cat

Think this is the right place.....
We have adopted a new cat from a foster home. She had been a stray for 1 year and lived with the foster home foe 1 year. She is part of a capture, neuter, release group who felt she could live with s family. She hadn't been adopted due to very shy nature. She has been with us three days. We have two other cats, from shelters, both of which are also shy but not like her. They are pretty gentle cats. She has been in a room by herself. We are trying to understand her nature . She is incredibly sweet. But hides. The other cats are not all that interested in her. They go in,sniff around, and leave. You can touch her, pat her, and she us adapting. She is quite adorable, and can't say that enough. She is not eating much, and never makes a squeak. She had purred somewhat. So first, is she considered a stray? She's in a room by herself. We removed the bed frame to be able to access her more easily. She hides in the long blankets along the bed at the floor. We want her to consider it her room, and not hide in the basement.
She would be hard to find. Any thoughts are appreciated. We are hoping she'll at least be fine around us, even if she hides when others come to visit us. We are three, my wife and 16yo son.

Three days is not very long for many cats to hide when coming to a new home, even many that are not former ferals or strays. That said, she is going to have her own time frame for when she feels safe interacting with the family, so do not be too worried if it takes a while. Many former ferals act like this for a while, but with time they become very bonded to their family members!

One note of caution is keeping track of how much she's eating is important. If she goes more than a day or 2 without eating anything, or she is only eating a bite or two a day, she will need to see the vet because a disease called hepatic lipidosis can develop quickly in cats who aren't getting enough calories. Put her food and water her near her if that helps for now, and offer her enticing things like meat baby food (no onions or garlic) if she's still not interested.

I would keep the other cats separate from her for now, just while she's getting used to being in a new place. Dealing with a new home and new cats is a lot to adjust to all at once. Later, when she's more confident, you can introduce her to them with some tried and true cat intro steps:
[article="32680"]How To Successfully Introduce Cats The Ultimate Guide  [/article]
She has had her whole world turned upside down and she doesn't understand what her life is going to be like from here on out, so her fear is understandable. Sometimes cats purr when they're afraid to calm themselves down, which is likely what she's doing. Taking away places where she could hide and not be retrieved is good right now. To help her feel more secure, though, you might want to provide her with a cardboard box on its side with some towels or a cat bed so she feels less exposed, but you can easily reach her if you need to. 

When you approach her, come at her from the side and low to the ground, closer to her level, so you don't seem as looming and frightening. Every time she makes eye contact with you, do a slow blink a few times and then look away. This is cat language for "I'm relaxed and not a threat." She might even do it back when she feels safer. Offer her your hand in a fist shape, which is similar to a cat's head, and she might rub against it. You can try putting baby food or tuna on the tip of your finger and offering it to her to lick off if her appetite comes back. You can also spend some time waving a wand toy around a bit in front of her. She probably isn't ready to play quite yet, but she'll have fun watching it and this will help you bond. Also, just sitting next to her (not in front of her so she feels trapped) and reading out loud or doing some work is how many people get their semi-ferals more used to them. Sticking to a routine with her is also going to help her feel safer. Cats are happiest when they know what to expect.

Patience and respect are going to help the most to get her to come around. From your description it sounds like she will be a very loving cat once she learns how to feel at home!

Molly,
Thank you. I'll try some baby food. I picked up sorts of varieties of food, but didn't see that she was real interested in any one in particular. She is eating somewhat and using the litter box. But I'd like to find something she really likes. I am also getting a cat tree. We have been doing most things you mention as we have had domestic cats a long time. Will she ever meow? Is that a feral sort of thing? As I mentioned, our others cats are shy around others, We don't mind that. Will she learn from our other cats? They are not shy around us.
Thanks
Jonathan

Goat's milk is a good appetite starter and can be mixed with kibble. My vet swears by it.

treepeony said:

Molly,
Thank you. I'll try some baby food. I picked up sorts of varieties of food, but didn't see that she was real interested in any one in particular. She is eating somewhat and using the litter box. But I'd like to find something she really likes. I am also getting a cat tree. We have been doing most things you mention as we have had domestic cats a long time. Will she ever meow? Is that a feral sort of thing? As I mentioned, our others cats are shy around others, We don't mind that. Will she learn from our other cats? They are not shy around us.
Thanks
Jonathan

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Cats often don't eat much when they're nervous, so she might like her food much more when she's more confident. Fully feral adult cats do not meow at all, but this kitty is at least semi-feral by now. She might start meowing when she feels more at home, but some cats are just not big talkers so she may never meow very much. It's hard to predict. Sometimes shy cats do benefit from seeing other cats interact with their people, but occasionally cats will bond to humans much more quickly than to other cats. You'll start to figure out these parts of her personality bit by bit, and that will help guide you in what to try next to help her acclimate even further.

I'll try the goats milk as well. She is eating, just not a lot.
I've had a number of cats and it is so interesting how they are very different from one another. I was just patting her and she rubbed her head against mine before disappearing under some blankets. I think progress is being made. I think the year she spent with a loving foster family must have really helped. She is very small and it is hard to imagine her living outside on her own.
Jonathan

Once when I brought a stray into my house she was completely feral, and I couldn't even do as much as you guys can. My method was to just sit in the floor and watch tv near wherever she was. Eventually curiousoty got the best of her and she would get a little closer every time. We were the best of friends by the end of the month.
I know it's a time consuming process, and I doubt yours will take as long considering she's already accustomed to people, but it just takes time for kitties to understand you're not gonna hurt them. Being in her area where she can observe you is the best thing you can do to gain her initial trust. And treats! Every kitten loves a tasty snack when they're being loved on (:
Hope this helps a little, and best wishes with your new girl, I'm sure she will come around.