Rescue kittens in hiding

[Randommother]

We adopted a couple of beautiful black rescue kittens on Monday and they are still in hiding under the sofa! They were feral, but have been with a foster who’s has been socialising them since they were about 5 weeks old, they are now around 4 months. We are being patient with them, and have plugged in a feliway and put their food, water and litter tray behind the sofa so they can access it all as needed. I am fully expecting them to stay in hiding for a while longer, but does anyone have any other tips on how we can make them feel safe enough to come out?

I am not a cat person so only have experience the 2 I got late last year. We were given a pair of farm kittens by a farmer friend as we had a rodent problem. We had them shut in the yard feed room for a fortnight, and they rarely came out from under their pallet. I had bought them a nice cat bed, but they preferred to be under the pallet more. This was a couple of months ago. Now we cannot walk about in the yard without them being under our feet - they realise we are the source of food and as soon as they see us they come running meowing like mad. The kids can pick them up and they purr when they are stroked. I did wonder in that first week if they would spend their entire lives under a pallet, but they are out and about all over the place now and definitely not shy! I’d be waiting a bit longer for yours to settle in.

You've had them for less than 2 full days! Give them a chance. They will probably take weeks, possibly months, to settle in. The litter tray needs to be away from their food (would you like to eat next to your toilet?). Don't go trying to encourage them to come out from their safe hiding place. They will come when they feel ready. Until then, try not to make loud or sudden noises/movements. Sit quietly in the evenings, that's when they might be more likely to venture out.

Had cats for 41 years

@IsItTooHotInHere don’t worry, I’m not trying to force them out, I know it will be a slow process, just wondering if there is anything else we can do to help make them feel safe. Also, their food is not next to their litter - it’s all behind the sofa, but it’s a large 3 seater so there’s a fair amount of separation. I’ve had cats all my life but not ferals, so I’m more concerned about them feeling safe then I would be if they were domestic kittens. I’ve been working in there, but taking calls in the kitchen (work calls can get heated, and I don’t want to give off that vibe!), and sitting on the other sofa reading / talking to my husband in the evening.

We have a feliway plug in, are there any other things that could help settle them?

Just carry on as you are, maybe leave interesting things around for them to explore when you're not there (toys, boxes, treats).

We thought our semi-feral cat would forever be in hiding - you can probably find my posts earlier on...

She took a good couple of weeks before she came out with us in the room although ate/toileted etc after the second night, at night... We let her out of her safe room after about five weeks (many will say this is too long but it really wasn't for her).

Two months on and she has the run of the house - she is usually out in the hallway or sleeping in a basket (a cat carrier with towel in it?? She ignores her purpose-bought igloo, obviously!) or otherwise does still like to hide away in what was her safe room, even though the door to that room is now open to the house.

The vets trip was a nightmare, however!!

We thought we'd never get there, and there's still a way to go - she's not ready for the outside world for example.

I'd say, spend time in the same room, don't force her - as hard and as frustrating as that is - and just assume it's going to take a while - tiny steps forward are big for them.

The important and hardest bit is to act like it's no big deal when they come out. So no screaming through the house 'the kittens are out' or grabbing for big cuddles as soon as a little pawsy wassy appears. Just pretend like you aren't interested and gentle pets if they come within arms reach.

I would move the food of a night when you go to bed just away from the couch this will encourage them to venture from under the couch and get used to the new room. It will take a few days before they are comfortable to come out when your their then few more to get used to you.

We’ve made some great progress with them! They will now come out to play while we are in the room, although they still sleep under the sofa, and dart back under there at any sound or sudden movement from us. They are still very unsure of us, but getting braver every day. We haven’t tried to touch them yet, we are waiting for them to come to us first (although DH keeps trying to tempt them with Dreamies!). Pic of the gorgeous scaredy-cats attached

Oh they are so gorgeous! I hope they turn into cuddle monsters!

What are their names. We have an ink black cat called 'Orion' because my hubby is into astronomy. Unfortunately I didn't link Orion ('the hunter') with hunting....and he is very good at it! His sister is a star in his belt, Bellatrix. If we ever get a totally black cat again we are going to call him 'Zealand', as in 'New Zealand' who have the All Black rugby team.

They’re great names @Theoldwrinkley! These 2 are called Merlin and Luna, I love Zealand though! I was trying to find things associated with black, but the best I came up with was Edmund (Blackadder) which was overruled by the kids!!