Ultra shy kitty

I just adopted a retired breeder/show cat who is very poorly socialized. He's 2 years old and neutered.

I have him in a separate room (I have another cat) with food, water, and a litter box. For 2 days now, he's been curled up tightly under a dresser or in his cat carrier. He hasn't used the box and I don't think he's eaten anything. I visit him 5 or 6 times a day for about 10 minutes at a time, talking to him and trying to coax him to eat with a bit of his favorite food.

Is there anything else I can be doing to help this kitty overcome his fear? I'm concerned about dehydration, etc., but I don't want to do anything that increases is mistrust.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Barbara

Move his box a little closer to his hiding spot and put his food and water bowls a little closer too, but far enough away from the litter so as not to prevent him from wanting to eat. Give him a really small space to get used to first then expand that area as he grows more confidence ... the idea is to bring him out slowly but confidently so give him time, space and patience. When was he neutered? If it was recently, he is still experiencing hormone fluctuations and will be for about a month or so afterwards.

If you have his kitty carrier that he came into your home in, then place that nearby his hiding place with the door open. Put something soft and snuggly he can burrow down into inside. That might bring him out so that if you must take him to the vet, you can do so with a minimum of stress and frustration.

Hope this helps,

~gf~

Also dim the lights in the room, burn night lights. Was he caged? If he was then all the space that surrounds him right now must be overwhelming. If you read this article you will find ideas to help him eat. He needs to eat!

http://www.thecatsite.com/Cats/Cat_H...Lipidosis.html