New Cat Not Adjusting- Hissing and Scratching

Hi everyone,

So I just adopted (inherited) a new cat. She is about two years old, and her previous owner passed away. I have had her for about a week now. 

I set up her litter box, food, some toys from her previous home, and her scratching post downstairs. She has room to roam but I have been keeping her in the basement until she settles in. She has been using her litter box and eating with no problems. 

The first few days went well. She did have fleas so I had to give her a treatment, and seemed upset by it. However, she was exploring and laying in the middle of the room at first. we have been leaving her alone trying allow her to adjust. 

Then, my roommate got out of the shower a couple of days ago. The cat was laying in her doorway, and as she tried to get passed the cat, the cat went nuts. She attacked her feet and legs, clawing and drawing blood. After that she has spent hours under my bed. She will come and sit by doorways, only to hiss and swat at whoever needs to get through. Even though we are trying to leave her alone, it's hard when she is laying right where we need to walk by. I was told by a family friend that she is very affectionate but I have yet to see this side of her. 

I'm not sure what triggered this and I don't know where to go from here. Any help would be appreciated. 

She is very much in shock from being removed from the home she knew, and the loss of her special person.  I would allow her much more time to settle in well before thinking there is a true problem.  I know you have to deal with her reactions as you move through your home, but she more than likely she is suffering much more than her appearances give away.  She is in a strange place, strange people, strange sounds, strange smells.  And I've learned to think that all hold high importance in a cat's world, especially smells.

I wonder if she is startled by the activity in your home, I had that issue with a former feral that is now a part of our household.  I could walk past him in regular clothes, no problem, but if I had on my robe with the end hanging near my ankles, he went berserk, and would often hiss and growl at me (he sounded like I needed an exorcist to come).  He is afraid of a towel hanging on a towel bar in the bathroom.  He jumps and hisses still (after almost a year indoors) at the broom--and he hides for hours if I pull out the vacuum.

We quickly figured out anything swinging or dangling spooked him. 

Did she come from a quit home with only one person? One that possibly did not move around often or was gone a lot?  It could be she isn't accustomed to activity in her surroundings.  I've seen this issue with a dog left by an elderly relative who went to live in a home with a couple who had a teenager.  They weren't loud people, but just the movement in the house, well, he just wasn't used to anything but stillness and quiet.  It took him a couple of months to settle in.

I don't know too much about her previous home, only that it was an older lady who passed due to cancer. Therefore it would probably be safe to assume that she would be out of the house for periods of time, and perhaps not as active as us. 

The swinging theory is interesting, as my roommate was in a towel at the time. We just found this switch in behavior very all of the sudden since she seemed to be enjoying our home prior to this. Is there anything else I could be doing to help her adjust? 

Part of the problem now is I have to check and make sure the fleas are gone, since I do not want them in my home and need to know if I should be taking further measures to get rid of them. I can't get close to her and do not want to make her transition any harder. In addition my roommate is now terrified of the cat. 

She has had a VERY big change in her life and is scared witless by all of this. A week is not long at all, it will take weeks to even begin to see her true nature. She is striking back out of pure fear. Never stare into her eyes, that is a challenge. When passing her, at least until she is more comfortable, move VERY slowly, almost in slow motion,any quick movements will trigger her fear and an attack. You might want to find what treats she likes and keep some on hand to distract her when you pass by.  Get her a heated cat bed and place it in a covered enclosed place, like a box, where she can retreat to if she needs. If the attacks continue, confine her to a small room, visit and sit frequently with her, talking softly and not trying to approach her at all, she must approach you first. I know this all sounds kinda overwhelming, but believe me it will be worth it to gain her love, she has already proved she is loyal to her departed human. She WILL come around once she is comfortable. You can also try some calming treats found on Amazon, I give one, not the recommended amount. Bless you for taking her in, you will be blessed for your kindness.PLEASE come as often as you need to this site, there are so many peopel here that will give you advise and support.  It will all work out, you just need time!

Yes, that!     Thank you for taking her in!  How traumatizing, for your special person to disappear.

After my nervous guy settled down, he is the equivalent of a living, snuggling, hot water bottle.  But it took a lot of tiptoeing around for a bit and letting him slowly get used to everything.  He still explores, plunders...learning his environment.  But he at least isn't afraid of a paper towel anymore...and believe me, that's a huge step in our household with him!

Reassure your roommate as well the best you can and explain what the poor thing is going through.  It will get better.  I was afraid of my baby for a little while after he attacked my arm holding my phone (I was watching a cat video with sound and he chomped down on me, growling!!)  Ask her to please be considerate until she comes around and that the kitty is just reacting out of fear and stress, not anything else.

Hi Di,

Thanks for the response. She is a beautiful cat, and I hope this all works out. I have tried treats, at first she was very interested in them (I used the ones her previous owner sent  for her). As soon as I crinkled the package she would come running out of whatever hiding spot she was in. She wouldnt eat them out of my hand but I think thats common. 

Now she seems to not care about them at all. I can't help but think I am taking steps back. 

Anyone have any suggestions on the flea situation? 

did you try flea drops like revolution?  one dose, put right at the base of the cat's head so it can't be licked off, and fleas should die for a month or so.  with revolution, i believe it also kills the eggs. 

don't walk over her or close to her while she's scared - let her take her time.  some cats hide for weeks after a change of homes, so it's really too soon to feel anything's wrong.

I gave her a flea treatment that you put on her neck, I'm just paranoid because I don't want them in my house and she still seems to be scratching. I don't want to push my luck to try and check to see if she still has them.. but I would like the peace of mind of knowing that they are gone. 

Seems like some progress has been made, she has come up to me a couple times today. I know that it will take time, thanks for all the suggestions! 

which treatment did you use?

glad to hear she's come up to you - sounds like she's getting used to you