Scared and Hissing cat

Question
HI, and thanks in advance for any input you may offer!. I just moved into my new apt. My grandmother begged me to take her 8month old cat because it runs around all night and wont let her sleep. The cat is an all grey Tabby born on 4/1/2007. After bringing the cat over to my house, it immedetely ran under the bed. It stayed there for hours until night came (round 11PM) and came out and very cautiously sniffed around the house and retired back under the bed. The next day, the EXACT same thing happened. All day under the bedm and around 11PM it came out and sniffed the exact same items in the EXACT same cautious way. The third day was EXACTLY the same too...does this cat have amnesia?? Just Kidding...when i say cautious, i mean it walks very slow, and not upright, kind of half upright and half laying down...I constantly lay down on the floor next to the bed and give it praise and treats but it refuses to come out until night. This happened for 4-5 days in a row and yesterday was the 6th. If i try to pick it up, it doesnt run away, because i think its too scared to run away. Ill put it on the couch and pet it (not in any sensitive areas) and then i will stop and watch tv...it will jump off the couch, turn around and HISS at me and tehn run away...It uses the litter box 100% and eats its food and water...

My question...what do i need to do to make the cat feel more comfortable and not so skitzy...i would love for it to come out from under the bed and just wander around its home...and not HISS at me for gently giving it affection...

THANKS!!

Answer
Micheal,

I know that you like this cat and want to be friends right away. Unfortunately the cat hasn't caught up to where you are at right now. Cats don't like change very much so they will be cautious and nervous for awhile after moving. Let the cat be cautious, let it hide (as long as it is making use of the food, water and litter). The cat will come to you when it is ready. Don't haul the cat out from under the bed, that is where your new cat has decided that it feels safe. Patience is key...They don't say "curiousity killed the cat" for no reason. Eventually the cat's curiousity should drive him/her out to investigate you. It is normal for a timid cat or an undersocialised cat to take some time to come around, but believe me it will happen sooner if you let the cat come to you. Reward the kitty passively, for instance you could try a treat trail that goes the places he has checked out as well as some places that he hasn't. Food is often a good motivater, but if your kitty is timid it won't matter what you do, what you don't do will bring the kitty closer to you in the long term. You have to remember, cats aren't crazy about change and this cat has had some huge changes lately. This cat is grieving the loss of a favorite human (your grandma), the loss of a familiar place (grandma's house) and now he has to cope with a new human (you) and a new environment (yours). He is understandably stressed out. I would recommend that you take him to the vet fairly soon (as soon as you can handle him without him being afraid or aggressive) just to make sure that there is no other reason for this behavior. It sounds to me like you just have a fairly timid kitty on your hands, but he could also be sick in which case treating whatever is bothering him should make a big difference. Anyhow, I hope that this information at least gives you a starting point to work from. Please do not hesitate to contact me again with any further questions or concerns. I will do my best to give you a prompt and accurate response. Enjoy your new kitty, but take it slow - for instance you wouldn't want to move into a new apartment with a roommate that you have had casual contact with and have that roommate try to cuddle you on the couch while you are watching TV would you?