Rehomed cat miserable!

[Peony99]

SIL's 8 year old cat came to live with us on Friday. She has large dogs that the cat wasn't coping with, so she's best off out of there.

But since arriving here she's sat in a tight corner and hardly eaten or drunk (this is the bit that worries me).

I've had cats before but always from kittens, so I've not seen this before.

We have her favourite food, lots of familiar bedding and Feliway- any other advice?

Thank you!

I think it can take cats a few days to get used to their new surrounds. Just try and sit in the same room, reading a book etc so she can chill with you.

Aw bless her!

Yes give her a few days to get used to her new environment. Some cats take longer than others. Just leave her be, make sure the room she is in is quiet and give her some time alone in there with the door closed so she can feel safe and explore in her own time.

Also any chance of a picture?

She will settle in time . Whatever you do keep her indoors.

I adopted an adult cat andit took him a few weeks to settle. The first few days he was terrified and bewildered
After a few months it was like living with a teenager

It's still very early days. I'm sure she will settle in time. Make sure she has access to her food and water in the room where she gas chosen to spend her time.

..and a cardboard box to hide in

That is totally normal behaviour. It can take a few weeks to adjust. Make sure she can't get out for at least three weeks. She'll be fine.

That's so reassuring - thank you! Fingers crossed she cheers up.

I cat sit a lot for friends and all of them hide and don’t eat properly for the first couple of days. It’s totally normal.

It's a huge change for the cat, you have to give them a chance to settle.

Is she in a room on her own so has time to be by herself and explore?

Leave her too it. She probably comes out after dark.

Yes, it's totally normal. If possible, it's best to give her a quiet room to herself rather than let her have access to the whole house at this point - it's a lot to adjust to, with all new sounds, smells etc. that us humans aren't even aware of.

And please be very careful about windows and doors - no window should be open more than 2 inches in a locked position to avoid escapes, a newly homed cat is always at a risk of panicking and bolting out if given the chance.

Put her food and litter nearby (but not too close to each other) and make sure she has somewhere to go that feels secure. We used a blanket over a chair for a while.

It is normal and she will gradually get braver.

My rehomed girl hid behind the boiler. We didn't see her for a good week: we knew she was alive because small amounts of food would vanish overnight. 22 months on and she is a very happy, loved and loving cat who has totally embraced outdoors space (she'd previously been an indoors cat) and knows exactly who runs the household. The local shrew population is not so happy about this.
This settling in period is horrible but it does pass. I used to go and talk to her, even when I couldn't see her so she could start learning my voice ready to welcome her when she did finally begin to explore which I think helped her.

Zylkene capsules might help but like everyone said it’s so soon?.

CharlieAlphaTango was rehomed without him knowing about it first.
He was taken away in that nasty plastic box he gets taken to the vet's by a strange woman, into a strange house that smelt funny. Of course he was bewildered.
He has since realised that it was a stroke of luck. His new human is a pushover.