New adoptive cat - behind washing machine

[Naranjo]

I adopted a 4 year old cat on Wednesday. She is very shy and quiet, a re-home rather than a stray or feral.

The problem is she is all day behind the washing machine. I know it's natural to hide for a few days, but what worries me is it is freezing behind there, and she has a history of cat flu. She does come out at night when I'm upstairs, to use the litter tray, eat and drink, and explore a bit.

She did venture out in daylight yesterday, for about 3 seconds. She looked at me from the kitchen doorway (open plan living room and kitchen) then went back to the washing machine. I didn't approach her, just spoke to her from the couch.

I also need to use the washing machine at some point! I did set up an area under the living room stairs with boxes to hide in, 2 igloos, scratching post and toys - she spent about 10 minutes there on arrival then slunk off to the joys of the freezing washing machine.

Any advice? I'm worried about her getting ill but not sure what else I can do. I plant dreamies just outside the washing machine to lure her out but she doesn't really take the bait. I speak to her when I go in there, but most of the time I am keeping things very quiet, TV on low if I have it on.

Mine had three days behind the sofa. I think he likes it because he could get used to all our sounds from a safe place. I kept life (noises) as usual apart from no hoovering. I also would talk and sing so dcat would get used to my voice. In the evening DH would stay on the sofa with a book. Dcat would venture out, eat and litter tray but then could allow cuddles from DH. After a few days dcat came out in the day although would go back there if visitors came. He turned into the most wonderful sociable cat with time. It sounds like it is going well. It just is a lot of newness to get used to. Maybe a blanket next to you on one on a sofa for the evenings

Could you move the igloo to bedside the washing machine with some dreamies and maybe a wrapped hot water bottle in it? Did she come with any of her own toys or blankets?

Be patient, it can take weeks or even months with a very nervous cat. You're doing the right things, using a soft voice and keeping the noise levels down where you can and creating a temptingly comfortable, covered safe space as an alternative to where it's currently hiding. I'm wary about Dreamies and that sort of packet cat treat - our cats became addictively and actually aggressively obsessed with them, so maybe try something natural but that smells really good like a bit of roast chicken.

Thanks all. I've now moved the igloo she came with next to the radiator that is next to the washing machine. I'll try and shift the drier and washer over a bit so she has a straight route from the igloo to go back behind the drier and washer.

I've heard about the dreamies aggression danger! She doesn't seem massively fussed about them but I'll look for something more natural.

She's a sweetie, I can take a lot of time to build up her confidence, it's just her health I'm worried about.

That's exactly what one of mine did. She was coming out at night. She eventually came out after dark one night, and ruled the roost from that moment onwards.

She's out from the washing machine today, boldly walking to the couch to stare at me and making herself comfy on a chair. I'm relieved!

So pleased she's ventured out! Our rescue kitten is now 2 and a half and very recently approached my dad (who visits every week) for a stroke :-) DCat still heavily mistrusts my mum and won't come in the house when she (also a weekly visitor) is present. Probably a good judge of character as mum loathes cats!
Sometimes patience really is a virtue.

The room temp behind the washer must be satisfactory or she wouldn't stay there. She would seek out a warmer hiding place. Cats HATE the cold and will always move to somewhere warmer, away from draughts

She's out in the room quite a lot now, even chilled for a while in her igloo today (until I had to walk past to get to the kitchen, then she went back to hiding behind the washing machine).

The problem is when she smells my hands. She's smelt them a couple of times now - last night she came over of her own accord, sniffed, then backed off growling. Today wasn't as bad, again she trotted over, but she still sniffed then backed off and huffed in disgust.

My hand soap is pretty plain and I don't use hand cream. I've resorted to spraying feliway on my hands but that's not a long term solution! And I think I've had my one chance of the day for a hand sniff, I don't want to pressure her.