Help with new cat from shelter

We just adopted a new cat from a local shelter. We have two dogs (very gentle but large) already. We've had other cats with no issue.

Since she's been with us she has stayed under our bed. Very scared of people and more so the dogs. We work to get her out and she will sit with us being petted - purring.

First sign of any sudden movement or a dog she is gone.

The shelter doesn't have any history on her.

She seems to be scared of everything.

Any advice - we don't want to return her and are willing to spend the time to help her if we can.

The people at the shelter didn't explain how to introduce cats to their new homes? Although I was so excited when I picked my kitten up, I was happy to get a guide to take with me. 

Here's an article on introducing cats to dogs. 

When I rescued one of my girls from the shelter they warned me that she may not even come out of the carrier for a while and just to let her be. Cats do have to be introduced slowly to others but you also have to give them their space and time to get acquainted with their new surroundings. Remember, they have been in a cage for how ever long and afraid at the shelter so thats what they are used to. Once they see that they are in a loving and ok place to be themselves they will come around. 

We introduced several cats, not all at the same time to our dog, who has now gone to the Rainbow Bridge.  It's important to have an escape route for the cat at all times.  The first week we kept the new cat in our bedroom, i.e. did not give him or her the run of the house.  A new cat, especially one from a shelter, needs time to adjust to it's new surroundings.  When we were ready for introductions we kept our dog on a leash.  One of our cats liked to escape to our bedroom, it was his safe place where he felt secure.  Our last cat thought she was a dog, lol.  She marched right up to him with no fear whatsoever as if to say, "move over honey, there's a new gal in town."  Give it time and be patient, It will take awhile for both the new cat and your dog to acclimate.  P.S. you may want to consider using a covered litter box.

Thank you guys for your words..they really help a lot.my biggest concern right now is that we put her litter box and food and water tray in our bedroom but I noticed that she eats little and barely drinks water , when scooping her litter box I noticed that she barely used it just a little poop and little pee and it has been five days now .
Im thinking that something (maybe one of my dogs[emoji]128563[/emoji]) run after her and now she won't come from underneath the bed that was her safe place from day one but she would come out now and then and sometimes even cross the bedroom door ,she used to listen to my voice and have a good reaction but now nothing will get her out of her safe place wich makes me feel bad because we actually adopted two cats the same day and the other one is like this had been her home forever .SHe even let the dogs know who is the boss lol!!so no prob with her ,,, it is the second kitty that has my heart broken in two and I feel that I'm not doing a good job with her [emoji]128546[/emoji]

It sounds similar to my 2 in my post above.  If it helps at all, the kitty that was fearful of our dog, who by the way was a fairly large dog, never really warmed up to our dog but did learn to tolerate him.  It just took time.  If you're keeping the food, water and litter box in your bedroom just make sure not to keep the food/water near the litter box.  I would sit on the floor of your bedroom with the door closed and not try to coax her out from under the bed, it's her safe place.  Just relax, keep her company and eventually she will come out on her own.  Then give her a lot of praise and one-on-one attention.  Don't try to rush anything and be patient - very, very patient.  All my best, please keep us posted and feel free to ask questions any time.

Thank you Neely ,it makes a lot of sense I'll keep in mind what you said and I'll be patient and hope it works [emoji]128077[/emoji]

Are you able to baby gate your bedroom? If so, that will keep the dogs out of there and give the kittens a safe area. Once she feels safe she should come out. I set up a cat sanctuary in our MBed & Mbath. Everything ours needs is there including a cat tree in the window and toys. Food is on the counter in bathroom, both litter boxes on floor by tub. We've a short hall way to MB suite which is what we blocked off, so when grand dogs visit, they can't get near him. When I leave the house, I do shut the door as I don't fully trust grand dog not to scale baby gate if no one is around. Baby gates are also good, as they can jump them to get away from the dogs. Please make sure they are solidly attached, as kitty will jump over them, hind feet for purchase on the way down and you don't want the thing come crashing down.

You need some time and patience. Can you go in periodically and sit on the floor and keep kitty company, read a book or something? I'd not drag out from under but if she feels secure, hopefully she'll come to your for loving. Paws crossed this all works out for you. If after all your efforts and following others advice, if she isn't thriving and feeling part of the family, consider returning her. Not every cat can live with dogs and vice versa. Best wishes for a good outcome.

Thank you grey paws ... I really like this kitty it is funny but from day one the other kitty we adopted got very attached to my husband and the extremely shy one showed signs of liking me because despite of her being under the bed all the time when I sit on the floor she would come out to be with me but on the second day when I had to take her back to the shelter for rabies shot that was it ...seems to me that she lost trust in me and now when I sit next to the bed she won't come out anymore , and yes I did put a gate Infront of my bedroom door and the dogs won't even get close to it ( they are really gentle giants ) ..what surprises me is that I had cats before and never had problems with the dogs like I said they are really nice to other animals.
I really don't want to return her and I understand the dog situation but I know she has a safe loving home here I just can't think of returning her to the place where I won't even know what will happen to her in the future and that is why I'm desperately seeking advice I'm committed to try as hard as needed but never had a cat with her personality so I don't know what to do [emoji]128546[/emoji][emoji]128546[/emoji]

Paws up and kudos for trying your very best. I know it takes time & patience for the new kids to settle in. I volunteer at my limited kill humane society, along with having been involved with dog breed rescue & fostering for decades. I know in all instances, the group/shelter would rather have a return than a 'failure to thrive' stay where they are truly unhappy. With the new information, they can screen and hopefully find a better situation for the animal. It is no reflection you or your cat/dog. As I said, not every home is the perfect home for every animal and vice versa.

Props to you for hanging and trying to make her happy. I was mostly concerned on your post about her not eating very much and the refusal to come out from the under bed. Hopefully others advice can get you where this will be a distant memory and all are living in your home in harmony. 

Thank you again grey paws ,I'll keep trying won't give up ,today I took her to my vet and she said that everything is fine with her and asked for advice as well and she said that everything has to be at her own pace and what really gave me hope is that when I came back home and put her carrier on top of the bed and opened it she just came out of it without freaking out or running just smelled it from outside and layed down on the bed stretching her legs ...[emoji]9786[/emoji]️[emoji]9786[/emoji]️[emoji]9786[/emoji]️[emoji]9786[/emoji]️ That was an awe moment for me !!!

That is a wonderful update. I'll keep the kitten paws crossed for both of you.

Hi Neely ,, thank you again , my cat's name is lily , I'll try to post a pic of her

Hello everybody!! I need advice please.. I desperately need to do the vaccum in my room ... my cat lily has the room like her safe place she has never been out of it so far , but my question is how can I do the vaccum without scaring her?

howeycat said:

Hello everybody!! I need advice please.. I desperately need to do the vaccum in my room ... my cat lily has the room like her safe place she has never been out of it so far , but my question is how can I do the vaccum without scaring her?

Click to expand...

howeycat

I'm afraid there really is no way to do that unless you take her out of the room and put her in a different one while you vaccum.

The vast majority of all cats are terrified of the vaccum. I know all 3 of mine are.

@raina21
Hi raina21 that is what I had to do but the problem is that she never wants to come out from underneath the bed so moving the whole thing just to take her out is very exhausting [emoji]128513[/emoji] lol she won't let me brive her not even with yummy treats ..anyways I did some magic and got her inside her carrier and took her out ..finally our room is completely clean [emoji]128516[/emoji]