How do I get my shy, newly adopted cat to eat during the day?

Congrats on the new cat! Unfortunately, this is going to take some time as a lot of cats can be nervous in new surroundings during the day and tend to feel more comfortable during the night. You can try to some feliway diffusers to help calm her during the day to see if this helps. I would also try to feed her her favorite treats or canned food during the day to get her to come out so you can love on her. With time, she should start to come around. I hope this helps!

Hello, and thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that Sheeba has been unwell since arriving home. It is possible her behaviour is related to stress and anxiety. However, it could also be related to a medical problem. Whatever the cause, when a cat does not eat or drink for several days, this can lead to dehydration, weakness, and secondary liver problems, especially for a kitten. Because of this, I would recommend taking Sheeba to the vet within the next 24 hours. They can perform a full physical exam and run some tests to rule out a medical issue. They can also provide supportive medications to improve her hydration, appetite, and comfort. If the vet confirms she is in good physical health, you can try using Feliway, a feline pheromone spray designed to reduce stress in cats. Also ensure she has easy access to food and water in the place where she is hiding. You can gradually try interacting with her more and more, through offering treats, and speaking to her softly and gently. With time, she should start to open up and learn to trust you and be comfortable in her environment. I hope this helps, and that Sheeba feels better soon!

I recommend to try a different food. Offer both canned and dried options. Cats can be very finicky about their food. Also call the shelter and ask what food she was eating and if she was eating well. Some brands that cats tend to like (although do know that some of these are more like fast food but first it's important just to get Owl eating): Royal Canin, Purina ProPlan, Fancy Feast and Frsikies. Food purchased from a larger retailer like Petco may be able to be returned if she won't eat it but do check the policy first. Also place the food where she is hiding. Try hand feeding her versus leaving her alone. If she does not eat by tomorrow, have her examined by the veterinarian to make sure she is ok. Congratulations of adding Owl to your family. Most cats will be comfortable within 1-2 weeks. I hope this helps.

Hello. Most people find it easier to just leave dry food out, especially for growing kittens, but if you wish to train Artemis to eat at specific times, then 4 times a day would be fine. To bolster her confidence around people, make sure everyone who comes to your home enters the house quietly. Everyone should try to offer her a very tasty treat, not a lot, but enough that she associates new people with a special treat. Have people pet her gently, & if she does not want to be held, don't chase her. Over time she will become more self-assured. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

He may be annoyed you wiped him off, cats don't like any kind of baths! I'd just leave him be for now, and leave out some canned food with water added. He should come out in a bit, once he's done being annoyed.

Offer her a carboard box or a cat condo with a hiding place in it. It may entice her from under the bed. That she is coming out to sit with you is a good sign and I think, as she settles in to her new home, she will come out more and more. If you can entice her from under the bed and then limit her access to that room it may force her to seek a new hiding place of your choosing, but don't make a big deal out of it or it may make her want to hide more. Take your time and be patient, it may take some time for her to acclimate and get braver. She may be timid by nature. Move her food out of that room if it is practical to do so so that she needs to come out to eat. Even if no one is awake when she comes out to eat, it will still give her a chance to explore while everything is calm. Provide her with plenty of toys and see if she likes treats, you can use these to entice her out and reward her for getting braver. Make sure she has plenty of places to hide around the house, places to scratch and perch to look out the window. I had a very timid cat that hide for weeks when we moved but she eventually came out of her shell and ended up being even more playful and social that she had ever been before so it can be done. Good luck with your new friend!

Best let her settle in. Imagine going to a new place that smells different, has different sounds, without mommy aand the siblings. This is terribly scary. So best let her hide, put food and water in the bedroom where she is. She will likely come out at night to eat and drink and go to the litter box. She will get more courageous every day. If you manage to catch her outside of the hiding place after a few days, you can try to pick her up and hold her quietly and pet her provided she does not panic. But time will help...over time she will feel secure and come to you. Talk to her when you enter the room, Say her name and don't make scary noises. She will get used to you not being someone who wants to eat her.. Time and patience.