Can't seem to bond with new cat

erings

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We adopted our newest addition, Parker, about 4 weeks ago. He's had a hard life. He is FIV positive, was hit by car some time ago leaving some vertebrae in his spine and elbows fused so he can't walk well, wasn't taken care of well by his last "guardian" (meaning not fed regularly and probably not given any attention), was abandoned after a fire for a week, kept in a crate by his first foster and we have no idea what the second foster was like.

He hides away all day. Only coming out to use the litterbox and when we take him out to feed him. The introduction with are 4 other cats is going well, only one is still a little hissy.

Parker lets us pet him when he's in hiding, he'll roll over, purr, and slow blink at us. After starting an anti-inflammatory medicine we saw improvements in how he moves, he still doesn't come out of hiding. This afternoon when I fed him, I took a step in his general direction and he ran away.

My family and I have no idea what we can do to bring him out of his shell, one of our cats hid under the bed for a week and now she's a little nut that follows us around all day. Nothing we're doing seems to be working. Please give us all of the advice you can!
 

kirothecat

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Make her some of her own space, also dont try to get him out too much, because that will make it worse, when he comes out give him a treat and dont come near him super fast, it seems like he is cuddly but also scared
 

Primula

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After everything Parker has been through, 4 weeks is nothing. He may be afraid to open up to you after being bounced around so much. He may have given up all hope of a forever home. Poor guy - give him time & don't crowd or rush him. I'm sure things will work out once he is sure you won't abandon him.
 
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plan

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I agree, it's early days.

Also, Kiro gave good advice that I think will help: Can you give Parker his own space for a little while? After everything he's been through, and the cruelty he's endured, it's natural that he's going to be slow to warm to you. But he's also now in an environment where he has to find his place among several other cats. He probably feels like the odd cat out, and he might not believe he's found a real home with a caretaker who loves him. I think that will slowly dawn on him as you build trust and a relationship.

Maybe just an area he can retreat to and feel safe that's off limits to the others, not total segregation.

Hope that helps. Good luck, I hope the little guy comes around and I know he will, it'll just take love and patience.
 
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