My new cat is not coming out of hiding, and hissing.

Hello everyone! Hopefully I can get some help here. My grandfather became sick and I offered to take his cat. She's a year old and we've had her a week.
She had been in my closet the entire time. I hear her come out to drink and use her box which I put outside the closet.
I bring her wet food (and dry) by going in the closet (i know, I know, I shouldn't disturb her) when I do this, she will hiss at me... However, she won't back away, her ears are perked up and she looks very excited about the food. She has no interest in play. And I sprinkled a little cat nip on my closet floor just now in the hopes that she'll get some enjoyment out of it.
I feel like we should have made more progress in a week. I need some advice on how to help her adjust. Thanks!

She's upset & unhappy because her person & home of one year have disappeared. Cats do not like change of any kind. This is temporary behavior. With love, kindness & patience she will learn to trust & accept you as her new person. Don't crowd her - all this takes a lot of time.

Primula said:

She's upset & unhappy because her person & home of one year have disappeared. Cats do not like change of any kind. This is temporary behavior. With love, kindness & patience she will learn to trust & accept you as her new person. Don't crowd her - all this takes a lot of time.

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Thanks for the advice! Should we leave her alone? Or continue to go into the closet and offer her food and goodies?

Welcome to TCS and thank you for taking this scared little girl a home [emoji]10084[/emoji]️

As you've recognized, she is just scared and trying to adjust to a whole new world. Here's a link to a TCS article about helping a cat adjust to a new home:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-help-a-new-cat-adjust-to-your-home

I would suggest a Feliway diffuser in the room the closet she is in:

https://www.chewy.com/feliway-30-da...gclid=CNHzwZT24tACFUWRfgode00B-w&gclsrc=aw.ds

Feliway is a synthetic version of a cats "feel good" pheromone and may help her feel more secure and calm. You can purchase Feliway at most pet stores and on Amazon.

Another good idea would be to sit in the room on the floor and read out loud in a calm voice...doesn't matter what you read. Doing this will allow her to get used to your voice and smell in a non-threatening way. If she comes out of the closet, let her initiate any physical contact. Let her set the pace!!

Good luck and please let us know how you all are getting along [emoji]128522[/emoji] What is your kitty's name?

If you feed her in the closet she will never come out! Are you planning to give her free reign to go anywhere in the house eventually? Is she fixed?

Primula said:

If you feed her in the closet she will never come out! Are you planning to give her free reign to go anywhere in the house eventually? Is she fixed?

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Well her water and litter box are outside the closet. Should I also keep her food out there? Yes, we cat proofed the house, and if she would like, she can go wherever she wants. We put blankets for her on top of the cabinets. Yes she is spayed.

HelloMissKitty said:

Welcome to TCS and thank you for taking this scared little girl a home [emoji]10084[/emoji]️

As you've recognized, she is just scared and trying to adjust to a whole new world. Here's a link to a TCS article about helping a cat adjust to a new home:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-help-a-new-cat-adjust-to-your-home

I would suggest a Feliway diffuser in the room the closet she is in:

https://www.chewy.com/feliway-30-da...gclid=CNHzwZT24tACFUWRfgode00B-w&gclsrc=aw.ds

Feliway is a synthetic version of a cats "feel good" pheromone and may help her feel more secure and calm. You can purchase Feliway at most pet stores and on Amazon.

Another good idea would be to sit in the room on the floor and read out loud in a calm voice...doesn't matter what you read. Doing this will allow her to get used to your voice and smell in a non-threatening way. If she comes out of the closet, let her initiate any physical contact. Let her set the pace!!

Good luck and please let us know how you all are getting along [emoji]128522[/emoji] What is your kitty's name?

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Great advice, thanks! Kitty's name is Salem. She's a beautiful long haired black cat, big green eyes... I'm already in love!
I'll definitely check that out! I didn't think she'd still be back there after a week... It breaks my heart.

Don't put her food & water next to her litter box. Also, she needs another litter box in a different place.

Is the closet in your bedroom? If you don't want her to sleep with you at night, don't leave her in the bedroom at night. (Our cats do not sleep with us.) If the closet is in another room, you will find that she'll come out at night when you are not there.

Primula said:

Don't put her food & water next to her litter box. Also, she needs another litter box in a different place.

Is the closet in your bedroom? If you don't want her to sleep with you at night, don't leave her in the bedroom at night. (Our cats do not sleep with us.) If the closet is in another room, you will find that she'll come out at night when you are not there.

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Yes, it's my bedroom closet. The box is about six feet away from her water.. I'll move it to the other side of the room. I don't mind if she wants to sleep in the bedroom. I would imagine she will not want that because my fiance tosses and turns all night, and we have a dog that sleeps in the bed.
Honestly, I would love to get her out of my closet, I need to clean it and use it! Lol... But she is way to afraid for me to move her. I haven't even vacuumed my bedroom in a week because I don't want to disturb her.

It's only temporary. She will be very upset if she can't stay in the closet for now.

I think you got the gist of it.  She is understandably frightened.  You are doing the right thing by giving her space and not pressing yourself on her.  The basic thing is that by opening up the space to her and allowing her free reign, she will slowly (maybe faster) explore the house and you and as she becomes more comfortable with both and finds everything less threatening, she will open up.  The food and water and litter box should be placed far enough from the closet for her to venture out to it; but not too far.  She is currently safe in the closet.

Put some toys within site of the food and water.   Most cats like little balls and plastic things they can bat around.  when she eats get down on the floor within site, but not too close and just sit there.  Eventually she may venture out to you.  I am almost 100% sure that within time she will really loosen up.  She may never become a lap cat, but not all cats are.  Just have patience.  Good luck

Hi salemsmommy how are you and Salem doing? Just want to make sure you know we are here if you need anything [emoji]128522[/emoji]

HelloMissKitty said:

Hi salemsmommy how are you and Salem doing? Just want to make sure you know we are here if you need anything [emoji]128522[/emoji]

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Thank you! That means a lot, this is definitely a stressful situation, so I could use the support. She is still in my closet. She was letting out some meows last night, I believe she was asking for some water. She came out for a little, and was on my bed,but when I came in... She ran back to her spot. I bought some very yummy looking treats for her today! Hoping to butter her up.

Ahhh...treats!! Good plan [emoji]128522[/emoji] She will start to associate you with all good things (treats and food) and trust will develop.
Salem being out of the closet and on your bed is progress!! Even though she ran away when you came in, the fact that she was out is HUGE!!!
Poor little thing is having a tough time adjusting but with patience and love, she will adjust. She has just lost her whole world [emoji]128575[/emoji]
I'm sure you're doing this already but keep the room she is in as quiet as possible and make your movements as slow and as quiet as possible. Talk to her softly when you are in the room...even if you are just telling her about your day, it will help her start connecting you with her.

Salem is probably a little shy to begin with and this sudden change in her life makes her retreat even more:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/10-must-know-tips-for-happy-living-with-a-shy-cat

Would you be able to get something like a piece of clothing that smells like her old home or your Grandfather? The familiar scents might help Salem feel more secure.

Hang in there....I'm confident with patience, time and love (and treats!), Salem will settle in and blossom. Please keep us posted on how the two of you are doing!

Let her do what she needs to in order to feel safe. Someone I know well had a new cat that stayed under the bed for seven weeks, only coming out to eat or use the litter box when this person was away or asleep. Finally after seven weeks she just came out one day and was perfectly fine and affectionate afterwards. I personally would not try to 'manipulate' her behaviour in any way- I would leave her litter where it will permanently be, and let her find her way when she wants to. I would also leave her food in its permanent spot so she knows where it is, but also bring her some to her hiding place so she feels comfortable. Time and patience, lots of encouraging talk, no threatening sounds etc. Good luck!

HelloMissKitty said:

Ahhh...treats!! Good plan [emoji]128522[/emoji] She will start to associate you with all good things (treats and food) and trust will develop.
Salem being out of the closet and on your bed is progress!! Even though she ran away when you came in, the fact that she was out is HUGE!!!
Poor little thing is having a tough time adjusting but with patience and love, she will adjust. She has just lost her whole world [emoji]128575[/emoji]
I'm sure you're doing this already but keep the room she is in as quiet as possible and make your movements as slow and as quiet as possible. Talk to her softly when you are in the room...even if you are just telling her about your day, it will help her start connecting you with her.

Salem is probably a little shy to begin with and this sudden change in her life makes her retreat even more:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/10-must-know-tips-for-happy-living-with-a-shy-cat

Would you be able to get something like a piece of clothing that smells like her old home or your Grandfather? The familiar scents might help Salem feel more secure.

Hang in there....I'm confident with patience, time and love (and treats!), Salem will settle in and blossom. Please keep us posted on how the two of you are doing!

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Thank you! It's good to hear that, because I am getting worried. It breaks my heart to see her curled up behind my shoes... That's no place for her :-(
I did give her a blanket from my grandfather's house. I do hope that helped. She was very excited about the treats! (I just gave her one) once she saw that I had something, she perked up and sniffed it, I left her alone to enjoy it.
I would really love to get her out of there... I set up a blanket and box in a place that I would like to be if I was a cat... I wish I could get her up there!
Thank you again for the advice! I will definitely keep you posted :-)

I'm so glad that you gave Salem a blanket from your Grandfather's house...I've no doubt that's a huge comfort to her. You have excellent "cat" instincts for thinking of that. You obviously understand she is going through a hard time and I commend you for your patience with her and concern for her.

Salem will adjust. Some little ones just take longer than others. Consistency in the way you treat her, where her food and litter are located as catdaddy007 mentioned are all really important. You are doing all the right things. Continue to let Salem set the pace and trust will build.

As long as she is safe and warm and well fed, do not worry about her.  Don't put your human emotions and thoughts on her.  Of course, you would not like to be curled up behind a set of shoes.  For her, it is safety and she feels comfortable.  Giver her time.  As long as she is eating and using the litter box let her be.  Time will be your friend.

Hi @Salemsmommy

I think you are doing the right thing. I take in feral cats and kittens and I once had a 6 month old male living in my closet for a month. Didn't see a whisker of him that whole time! The only reason we knew he was OK was because food and water would disappear and the litter box would get used. He eventually came round, 4 years later he's a real cuddle bug.

Just let her take her time to get used to you. Make sure she has dry food and water at all times, but when you give her wet food or treats sit in the room with her while she eats. You'll have to experiment a bit with how close you can sit to her without her getting scared. Even if she can't see you but can hear your voice she will know that you and the good food come at the same time. Put the wet food/treats where she can get them, sit there and talk to her softly and then when you are ready to go take whatever wet food is left away with you.

You could also try sitting in the room and reading aloud to her. Take your lap top in there and read what ever you're looking at, just getting used to your sound and smell is enough for now. Another thing that helps cats calm down is classical harp music played at low volume.

Have you tried Feliway? It doesn't work with every cat, but some cats respond really well to it.

http://www.feliway.com/us/#redirected

Just hang in there with the messy room. I now it's frustrating not being able to clean, but right now her own smell is mingling with the smell of your house and that's helping her to feel secure.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

Salemsmommy said:

...we have a dog that sleeps in the bed.

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Hi Salemsmommy,

Tell us about the dog. How has your dog acted towards Salem? Has Salem been around dogs before? If not, she may be dealing with fear of a strange animal as well as a new home and new people. She'll come around in time either way. Sounds like you've already made a lot of progress and she's lucky to have such a caring new home.