New cat won't come out from under the couch!!

[Imzadi]

Make sure you keep the food bowls separated, away from the kitty litter box. Cats don't like to eat & go to the bathroom in the same place.

Have you tried a bit of canned cat food? Sometimes the smell will coax out even the most resistant cat.

I have certainly had my share of "interesting" cats.

One of my cats lived on top of my refrigerator. I know he came down to eat and use the litter box, but never when I was around.

When I met dh I had another cat. I pretty sure my future hubby didn't believe that I had a cat. He never actually got to see the cat, just a lump in my bed. The cat lived under the covers for years. Came out to eat, use the litter box and go back under the sheets.

Sorry, but this would drive me nuts. Any kitty that lives with me has to earn their keep. Meaning I get lots of cuddling, rubs, purring & sleeping next to me in exchange for room & board.

 

[SuperSteelerFan]

Gromit's behavior is not unusual - our 15 yo cat Gypsy hid in DD's room for 5 days when we brought him home 7 years ago. We left food and water and put a litter box in her room until he was good and ready to join the family. Funny thing about him behaving that way is that he was my MIL's cat since kittenhood (she passed away about 1 year before we took him to our home - FIL was getting remarried and kitty was too "destructive") so he knew my family well - obviously he wasn't afraid of us! He has since adjusted well to his new home and has become quite a pain in the butt following us around the house - he has even become a lapcat now and is never destructive.

 

[karynnix]

Thanks for all of the advice! I pulled the litter box out into the dining room and Gromit came out and used it during the night! It looks like he ate a little, too. I can breathe a lot easier now. He is back behind the couch this morning.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

I definitely agree with the others. Give the new kitty some time.

My youngest cat used to be a barn cat. We rescued him and he lived under my brothers bed for about 2 months. He would come out and eat if you completely ignored him. We made sure that when he was under the bed, only for a little bit, we'd try and pet him. He would stay under the bed and purr as you pet him. After those two months he started coming out into the rest of the house a little more. Now he is still a skiddish cat but he comes and goes as he pleases. He loves attention (and food). He is also the worlds biggest mush and lap cat.

 

[emmabelle]

Our older cat spent her first few days with us hiding behind some plywood in our basement, so I made a bed for her there and she eventually started coming out more and more. I remember being so concerned when we got her that maybe we had chosen the wrong adult cat to adopt but she became such a love. I'd have to say that the basement is still a favorite of hers, hence giving her the nickname of the basement dweller.