When should I worry?

[Navratilover]

Hello, I brought 2 rescue cats home yesterday - 3 year old sisters.

We knew they were timid but they have been hiding under the sofa/chairs since yesterday - came out briefly at 11 pm last night but went straight back into their hiding places. We've had to disconnect the recliner function of the armchairs in case it injures them accidentally.

They've used the litter tray once each but eaten nothing. Put a Feliway plug in on to try and relax the nerves. Tried tempting them with various normal and luxury foods. Nothing.

Any advice please? I don't mind waiting it out but I'm starting to worry.

I’ve known it take a week or so - best thing is to keep them in their own room where it’s quiet and for you to just go in and sit with them.

Take a book etc, and get them used to your presence and gently talk to them.

No that's totally normal, unless very confident, new cats usually take anything from a few days to a few weeks to settle into a new home. It's best to keep them in one room with the door closed rather than the whole house as too much space can be overwhelming.

Not eating/drinking/using a litter tray for the first 24-48 hrs is also totally normal and almost all new cats we get at the cat rescue do this.

Two whole weeks for our rescue car to come out from under the sofa! The kids didn't believe we'd really got a cat!

Oops, cat!

Ah, thanks, that's good to know. I just wish they'd eat something! but I guess they will in their own time.

Aw, bless yours, RolyPolyPie! I'm thinking ours might be a case of playing the long game too...

totally normal! I had my cat since a kitten, when we moved house he hid for 2 weeks!

Completely normal, If you're worried about their food intake feed them where they feel safe and slowly bring it further and further out. Also try some calming treats .

www.ebay.co.uk/p/Beaphar-Calming-Cat-Treats-35g-11088/1042079511?iid=183085677844&chn=ps

They can easily go 48 hours without eating, drinking or peeing in a new environment. And can hide for at least a couple of weeks, often longer. Don't worry.

Ours made herself the size of a mouse and hid under the sofa on the first night. The gap is tiny. She would poke her head out for treats, so we knew she’d come good, and we left a litter tray and food and water in the living room in case she didn’t fancy going out to the hall or kitchen where they are now kept.

After my DP went to bed, I sat up reading until late - I was on holiday - and about 2am she crept out and hopped into my lap. Within a week she was boss of the house, and once we started letting her into the garden a few weeks later I realised we were essentially her slaves between the endless door opening, the climbing on our heads at 6am because she thinks it’s time to get up, and having to shift from whichever seat she decided was “hers”.

Just you wait, OP!

One of mine took 8 days to come out. Fortunately I'd been warned by the foster carer.

My daughter spent a week on the sofa because Charlie was scared he would sneak out and sleep in her hair

Our record (we’ve rescued 12 cats) is 3 weeks before one came out from under the bed (then another 2 before he’d let us go anywhere near him without spitting and hissing).

He’s the soppiest of all our cats now.

Keep them quiet, and don’t worry too much about the food. Pop it somewhere so they don’t have to venture too far out of their hiding place to eat, and they will do.

Good luck!

As of this morning, one cat has come out and gone so far as to jump on to my armchair beside me .

The other has only poked her face out for half a minute but that's fine as long as she's OK. Thanks again for the reassurance.