my new cat won't stop hissing

Hello everyone. I just got a new cat last night. I know I need to give it more time, but I am very frustrated by my cat's behavior... she is constantly hissing at me, and today she actually growled at me. I can't come within several feet of her, or she'll start to lunge toward me like she's going to attack. I am starting to get really scared of her.

She came from a loving home, she's supposed to be sweet. I know she's scared, but I don't know how to handle this, I've never had a cat before. I've tried talking nice to her, and got down low to her level, but she still hisses at me. And I'm trying to win her over with food but I don't think that's working. Aarggh...!

I am still in "trial period" so her previous owners said if it's not working, they can take her back and find her a new home. I have faith that she'll improve eventually, but this behavior is quite frankly scaring me. I don't know how long this will go on, I can't even move freely about my apartment...

she is beautiful, though, isn't she?! Her name is Pandora.

She is beautiful. She's probably just hissing because she's scared.

Welcome to TCS! Congratulations on your new member of your family! Poor little Pandora, she must be so frightened. It can take time for her to adjust to her new home. Allow her to get comfortable with her surroundings at her own pace. If she feels like hiding, let her, you can just sit in the room with her and talk to her. Allow her to come to you rather than seeking her out of her hiding place. Soon, she will realize how much you love her and how safe she is with you! Our behavior experts will come along shortly with excellent advice for you and your new baby. You're such a beautiful little girl, Pandora!

I agree...When Lovey came home, he was a big puffy ball of hissing and growling..
She simply needs time..As Stephanie (DawnofSierra) said, let her come to you...
Simply ignore her for now other than feeding her and cleaning her litter.
Don't approach her. Cats feel especially threatened when they are approached head on. So, don't look at her, simply sit in the same room and do your own thing..read a book (out loud if you like), or go about your business and talk to her or sing to her!
Just don't keep approaching her...
SHe will come around...SHe is getting used to her very new surroundings and is acting normally.
My Lovey wouldn't let me touch him for the first few days and after about two weeks, he was jumping into my lap for hugs and cuddling with me on the couch.
A couple of weeks later, I woke up to sandpaper tongue kisses!

Let us know how it goes!

I don't have more to offer than what was stated previously, but just want to say that Pandora is stunning! My OTB Samantha could have been her twin sister. She looks like a Siamese/Tabby mix - does she have the dark points on her tail also?

So...what happened? I felt EXACTLY like you when I brought my cat home on Saturday - but she only hissed at me twice in the same 5 minutes. Since then she hasn't, but let me tell you i was TERRIFIED!!!!

How are you guys doing now?

First of all calm down. Don't be scared of her, because I guarantee she picks that up easily and uses it to further intimidate you. You haven't had her very long, and her entire world has been rocked upside down, of course she is going to hiss at you. She has been assaulted with strange smells and sounds, and she doesn't quite know what to do with it all.

Leave her be for at least 24 hours. Make sure you have food, water and two litter pans for her, but other than that just let her alone. Then go into the room where she is hiding and sit down on the floor. Open up a book and read out loud to her. When you finish a chapter, get up, and leave a tasty treat right on the carpet where your imprint is. Then leave the room.

If she comes into your eyesight, do not make direct contact with her eyes. A direct stare is considered a challenge to a cat- so to break up the threat blink slowly several times then look away.

You can play classical music or celtic music for her on low, endless play if you have good CD player-

I would also encourage you to memorize their body language and sounds.

http://198.60.22.4/~emailbox/tailtalk.htm
http://home.att.net/~kittycatfurballssounds/cats.html

There are times when a cat is sending strong signals it wants to be left alone.

Just to share some information - the most loving, affectionate cat we ever had hid behind our headboard for 4 weeks after we brought him home. He was terrified (he was a shy fellow). We just spent time on the bed reading, watching TV and talking to him.

After his emergence he was a real lap cat and loved to be carried around in our arms just like a human baby.

I agree, stop trying to approach that beautiful cat . Let her come to you by letting her know you are "a safe place to be".

She really is quite beautiful. Give her a chance and you both will be rewarded.

Buy some Feliway spray or diffusers. Spray at a height of about a cat's head on corners or walls and doorways, spray some on comfy places, couch, chair, kitty bed if you have one. NEVER spray directly onto an animal. Feliway is a synthetic version of the cat's feel good, happy pheromones. It should help her feel more at home and safe. Perhaps the previous owners can give you a piece of old clothing with their scent on it, this may help also. By the way with the Feliway, don't spray it near a litter pan because it might make the cat stop using it. I hope this helps.
Take care,
Mary.