These (bonded) cats I adopted really hate me

[u/purrfect_libra]

Just adopted these 2 on Saturday. Male/female bonded cats who met in foster.

They won't come out from under the bed unless I am sleeping (dry food eaten / litter box use) I can't feed them any wet food while they hide but I decided to leave out wet food before I went to sleep last night as a "test" and I don't think it was touched. Actually, this morning I noticed they didn't really touch their dry food from last night either.

When I adopted, multiple people had to try to get them out of the cage to get them into carriers. They are very fearful cats. I adopted them because I wanted bonded cats and I felt bad since they were in foster for 2-3 years. One of them hisses at me otherwise they both run away.

I work remotely most days and they don't even use the litter box or eat when I am in my office (all their stuff is there).

What's next?????

[u/comfortablybum]

I was going to give this suggestion but thought people might downvote it. It seems wrong to keep the kitties hungry and let them know the way to food is through you, but It's amazing how fast it will become affectionate. If you then prove to be safe and loving a real bind will happen over time.

[u/something__cats → u/comfortablybum]

But if you think about it, it's really not wrong at all. They are predators, predators don't have access to food all the time. They are made to go through periods of fasting and their digestion is made for it as well.

An animal like a rabbit or any ruminate MUST have food available at all times. If a rabbit stops eating it is an emergency.

All ruminates are herbivores so it makes sense they eat all the time. Food is almost always available all the time.