inherited a mean cat

Question
Hello,
   I have recently inherited a cat (over 1 month ago). She is about 10 years old and is a grey Tiger cat. I have never been a cat person (infact i am slightly allergic to them) so I am unsure of the breed.
   My uncle passed away about a month ago and I took Maxi in. She has always been a mean cat. She would never let anyone touch her except for my uncle. My sister was at his house EVERY DAY and maxi would hiss at her. My Nana was also at his house every day and was only able to pet her with her foot. When my uncle passed Maxi ran up to my Nana and allowed her to pet her.
   So now I took her in because I didn't want a shelter to put mean Maxi cat to sleep. She usually stays under the bed. After 2 weeks she would come downstairs as long as my boyfriend and I were sitting still and not looking at her. If we said her name she would hiss and approach us as if she was going to attack us. After a little while she would let us say hello and if we looked away she would go about her buisiness. We have provided her with a feeding schedule that we stick to. Plenty of toys, a window perch (all of which she rarely touches)and I place treats in her hiding spaces throughout the house.
    Just when I felt as if we were developing a relationship with her a house guest from afar started staying with us in our small 2 room studio apt. Since then Maxi rarely comes out,(even though before when visitors were over she would come out as long as no one bothered her) she started hissing at me again and has gone through fazes of not eating and vomiting. At this moment her eating seems to have stabilized but I am very concerned for her health and emotional happiness. She was sleeping on the windowsill at the end of my bed at nite but now I cannot walk into my bedroom if she is in there. She hisses and seems like she is going to attack me. I just purchased some Feliway spray after reading reviews that said it may make her feel more comfortable. Any advice you could offer would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

Answer
Hi there!  Yes, Feliway is a good start.  I think you will find that helps some.

You say Maxi was always mean.  About 15% of cats do become antisocial and would rather be admired from afar than to be petted or doted on.  That's just something that has to be accepted.

However, I'm betting that Maxi is probably a one-person cat.  There are lots of those out there.  She has just lost the only person she was really tied to, and that's causing her serious grief.  She isn't likely to be over grieving for your uncle for another 4-5 months.  During this time, you can expect her to be somewhat emotionally reactive.

I think once Maxi realizes you are her new provider, she'll start to tolerate you better and may actually begin to like you!  You were making progress - that's a good thing.  The house guest has upset her just when she thought she was secure.  If the guest is permanent, Maxi should learn to tolerate him or her as she was beginning to warm up to you.  If the guest will be leaving, you can continue to work on your relationship with Maxi once the guest is gone.  You're doing perfectly by leaving her treats.  The way to a cat's heart is through her stomach.  One thing I find that really wins over just about any cat is to hand-feed her some boiled chicken breast or tuna.  Very rarely, they'll be extremely nervous and may slap it out of your hand.  If that happens, make sure she sees you put the treat down, and then move away.  Usually, though, they approach timidly and will take the food in their mouths right from your hand.

Another thing you're doing perfectly is looking away from her after glancing at her shortly.  A direct stare is body language to cats that basically says, "I'm going to kill you."  So don't make much direct eye contact with her until she really feels comfortable in the house and is freely walking about without hiding.  Glance at her when you call her name so she knows you're talking to her, but look away, then look back at her, etc., so you're not intently staring.

Cats are very sensitive creatures, and often, you just need to allow them time to adjust at their own pace.

As for the vomiting and loss of appetite, this can be from nerves.  But if it continues for two days, she should see a vet promptly.

Thank you for sparing this kitty from the shelter!  She would certainly have been put to sleep.  I'm so happy she was lucky enough to have a family member like you.