Timid cat and disruption to household routine

[RubyDarke]

We brought our 2 rescue cats home from the shelter 2 months ago. They've generally settled ok.

This weekend DD1 (their human) goes away for a few days and DD2 returns from university. They have never met her.

Timid girl is terrified when visitors come, even when we keep them in separate rooms (and we hardly have visitors). It really unsettles her and she hides for long periods and becomes obviously distressed. Bolder girl is better at bouncing back from new people in their space, but she is very attached to DD1 and will cry for her if she can't find her.

Any ideas on how to make it less stressful for them to cope with the changes in who is in the house?

They have both been in DD2's room and her belongings are all over the house - does that mean they will recognise her scent as being part of the household?

All advice and experiences welcome!

I would just crack on as usual , cats adjust you don't need to make any exceptions for them .

I would try and crack on as normal , DD2 should just try & ignore them until they come to her!

But as the owner of a very nervous rescue cat, who we have had for 2 years, who last week crammed himself between the raised beds & the fence in the garden because the window cleaner turned up (as he does every month) I understand your concerns!

They have both taken to DD2 like she has always been here - bolder girl is asking to be petted and timid girl has had a good sniff and tolerated a stroke. They don’t seem too bothered by DD1’s absence either. Heartless feline overlords!

They sound adorable, heartless but adorable! What will DD1 say when she learns her sister has usurped her?

They will reattach to DD1 when she is feeding them. One is currently following DD2 around demanding to be fed pretending she is starving and unloved.

I think they do recognise the people who 'belong'. Glad it's going well