How to coax a scared kitty out of hiding all day?

[derby378]

Long story short, there was an accident, and our new kitty got seriously spooked and has been hiding out in my bedroom ever since. She finally came out and cuddled with me last night, but otherwise she's reluctant to get out much. Your thoughts on how to handle cats with something amounting to PTSD?

[Roon]

1. Let her be

She'll come around eventually. Just make sure she has access to her food, water,and litter box.

[derby378]

4. We are definitely trying that

There's food and water in my bedroom, and the litter box is only a few steps away. No longer keeping the box on my bed, however - I'm tired of sleeping in kitty litter.

[mike_c]

2. time will do the trick....

Give her time. Don't push. She'll be snuggling on your lap before you know it.

[wartrace]

3. She'll come out when she's convinced there will be no more "accidents".

Give her time. You must be new to cats, you do not "coax" a cat. She ONLY came out last night because she was chilly and you were a handy heat source.

[derby378]

5. Well, yeah, there's that...

She's a doll. The good news is that we caught her and Axl sleeping on the same bed, so I think some of these dominance issues are finally sorting out.

[Skittles]

6. just let her be

cats deal with their spookdom fine on their own :D

[Inchworm]

7. Body slams on the bad?

Wrestle in the living room?

Biscuits?

No.. wait, that's dogs :)

She'll come around.

:hug:

[skooooo]

8. T-U-N-A

[crispini]

9. I'd definitely get some Feliway.

Most vets have it and you can order it online. Doesn't work on all cats, but the ones that it works on, it really helps to calm them down.