Rescue kitten remaining hidden and not eating

[pinotnow]

I have just adopted a pair of siblings who are around 4/5 months old. They were well-bonded so had to be taken as a pair. I brought them home yesterday lunchtime and by early evening the tom was running around, climbing up on shoulders - completely at home. The girl has yet to come out from behind the sofa and i'm pretty sure she has had nothing to eat or drink whatsoever, which is now worrying me. I thought him being there would give her confidence. They are in the playroom which opens directly onto the sitting room and it's just me and ds2 so very quiet and we're mainly staying in the sitting room.

Do I need to take direct action to get her to eat - more coaxing or even moving the sofa?

My 3rd stayed hidden for about a week. I put food and drink next to their hiding place then gradually moved a little further away. When they came it I wa sable to move the. Ok case they’d chosen to hide behind so he had no choice but to say hello to the other 2 cats.

Hopefully by now she's been out to explore .
Our bro/sis young adults came to lord over us 6 years ago . The female very confident , the male shy .
I got DS to sleep on the sofa that night to keep an eye on them (DS was the only one not going out the next day). He said the male did venture out for water for a second .

It's all very new for your kittens . If you sit in the room with them and read maybe out loud ?

She might only come out while the house is empty or everyone is in bed and that might go on for some time so don't worry yet. Place a litter tray and a small amount of dry food and water where she can get to them without leaving her hiding place and be patient. The good news is her brother is out and about and this will be the best encouragement for her.

I rehomed two cats years ago. They stayed behind the couch for a week until they felt confident enough to venture out. Your little cat just needs time.

Ah bless her. Hope she’s okay. When we brought our kitten home we lost her several times. Once she was inside our new sofa which we had to rip open to get her out! She will find her confidence soon.

My last boy stayed hidden for the best part of two weeks. He didn't even use his tray for about three days - I was getting really worried - I have never been so glad in my life to find a cat poo as I was when he finally used it. He started by coming out at night only, to eat, and hiding during the day. I worked from home three days a week so I spent them in his room, just quietly getting on with things, and this built his trust so he eventually emerged in daylight.

Six years on he is very confident around us, but still hates strangers and will hide if anyone unknown comes into the house (not often, I don't much like people in my house either 😄).

Thanks everyone. She came out for the first time later that evening and is currently exploring. She's definitely eating and will approach my hand and sniff it but no cwtches yet, which is fine. She did just climb up and balance on the rim of a wide glass bowl with glass beads in it so I had to approach her to move her and she didn't like that and flew away, but she has been back for a sniff of my hand since so hopefully not too much of a setback!

Sounds like she is getting there and will soon be bombing about!

Have you tried having a treat in your hand for her to take?