Advice Needed

[Millys Mum]

Well done on getting your first purr 
Is she eating any dry food at all?
Tuna in brine is ok aslong as you dont give it too often. Last time i checked the sodium content of brine and oil were the same.
Just looked again and yes its the same.

[bluecat]

managed to stroke through back of hole she gave me purr     so i think she will eat in time now got some sardines in oil down at the moment see how that goes better than the tuna option as i only had it in brine

[Corporal Smokey]

Sorry, just thought of something else. If she supposedly eats dry food, try her on Royal Canin's "Exigent". It's designed for fussy eaters and is the most delicious dry food I've ever had! 

[Corporal Smokey]

How about tuna rinsed and mixed with water so it's quite mushy (lots of liquids for kitty) and then microwaved and cooled to body temperature. It'll be more appetising and make your house smell lovely.

If you can get near to your feline friend, sit nearby for a bit, make sure you talk softly and don't make any sudden movements.

Ignore her. We like to be ignored when we're not after something.

A tiny blob of cheese spread on the top of the nose can sometimes tempt us to eat too but that requires a little trust.

I'd only try to apprach very slowly as a last resort. Hope we're helping you and she pops out soon! Poor li'l furbabe 

[bluecat]

she still hasn't eaten left fresh before i went to bed and this morning before i went out nothing  the tuna thing will have to Wash it though in brine  Wasn't sure about getting too close or trying to touch her  will try i think

[Corporal Smokey]

Hi Bluecat. Tuna is always good, the smell tends to get us going! Make sure it's in springwater though, brine's bad for us. If you can't find tuna in springwater, try rinsing drained briny tuna thoroughly.

And, as Ela says, not too much or us felines get used to it and develop picky tastes!

We can survive for a surprisingly long time without eating but as long as you furbabe's getting water, things should sort themselves out in no time.

Stay with it, we do this to test you humans! xx 

[Ela]

She'll eat when you've gone to bed

I agree, that is usually the case with scaredy cats. I would place the food near her just now under the bed or if she was in a hooded bed in there, that is what I usually do and the usually then start eating. If you can touch their head and give them a little fuss I fond that sometimes this seems to encourage them to eat. Perhaps you could put a little Tuna on top to encourage her to eat initially. Not to much or she will expect it all the time.

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

She'll eat when you've gone to bed. 

[blackcat]

depends on the weather an how many flies about. But I would not leave it more than two hours max.

[bluecat]

how long is it safe to leave wet food down for ?   She just shot through into bedroom 5 min ago  hasn't eaten yet just put a fresh bowl down in bedroom shes hiding under bed at the back she has drunk a little though  The food situation if she doesn't eat  how long before i have to take her to vets maybe etc     I did put a box with some of her bedding she brought with her in right by were she was hiding in living room didn't go for  it though

[ginge66]

Hi, three weeks ago we took possesion of two scardey cats, Leo and Lawrence. For the first couple of days they didn't want to eat and when they did eventually start to it was only at night and never in front of us. Three weeks later and things are improving slowly, Leo will take treats from our hands and has started to explore the house but still runs away if we get too close, if foods not involved

Lawrence is still very scardey and every morning I have to endure the daily spitting and hissing routine if I get too close with his food Today he has spent hiding behind the television as he did yesterday. The last couple of nights though he has started to follow Leo and explore the house and he has found a new curtain to hide behind.
I hope this has not disheartened you but as others have said I suppose you have got to be patient. Please keep me informed of your cats progress, perhaps we can swap ideas and tips.

Good luck ginge66

[Bazsmum]

I always have some background noise going.....a tv turned on not too loud or music etc......it does help to relax them abit....well as long as its not a prog about wildlife fighting   

Patience is the way forward 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Agree this is very early and like Desley has said , its best to leave food down all the time for her. Also a tray nearby and some water.

I would just leave her to come out by herself and talk to her gently when you are in the room.

She must be very scared at the moment and another useful thing is a box with a blanket in it where she can hide. Its important that they had a hiding place where they feel secure and where they are not bothered by anyone. At least if you provide her with places to hide, it means you can get to her easily if needed and you can see whether she is OK.

Misa hid under my recliner for 6 weeks when he first arrived and I used to put the food behind it! Now he is lying on my his desk while I type and he is a big purrrrrrball 

[Desley (booktigger)]

It is still very early, it could take a while, so you will need to be patient, and I would leave some food down all the time, as MM says, she might be a nighttime creeper, a lot seem to. Make sure there is a tray available close, and maybe just sit quietly in the same room as her ignoring her, she will realise you aren't a threat then. Good luck with her.

[clarenmax]

My friend's cat Frank was very nervous for the first few weeks, used to stay tucked away behind the computer, then one day, he came out and jumped on her lap. 

Patience is most definitely the key, wait for her to come to you, and let her build her confidence gradually.  I would imagine if you can hand feed her a few tasty morsals that may help, bribary 

[Dawn F]

I agree with millys mum, let her come to you in her own time, I'm sure it won't take long

[lisa77]

ahh bless her. I don't have answers but good luck with the little one 

[Millys Mum]

Yep let her come out in her own time, dont force yourself on her. It took my cat Milly a month to stop hiding under the bed so patience is important.
Laying on the floor so your at her level and reading can help.

Has she a litter tray near by too? You'll probably find she will be a nightime creeper at first.

and well done on taking on a nervy cat. 

[bluecat]

Furbabe home today but bit of scaredy cat mo . Shes hid behind the shelf unit right now she hasn't eaten today yet the lady who brought her told me she only picked at little dry.
She was fine when the lady who brought here was here though as soon as she found the hole she more or less stayed their.  I'm the told by the previous owner she was bullied a bit by the other cats so was kept in the bedroom. 
 I put food down by the hole and went out for about 2 hours but she hasn't eaten any thing i have removed the food for now and will put fresh down by the hole later
I am cooking fresh chicken at the moment hopeing the smell will tempt her     

Should i leave her come out on her own  just worried a bit ?