New rescue cat hiding all day - litter box issues?

Hey everyone, just adopted a 2-year-old rescue cat yesterday. She's been hiding under the bed since we got home and hasn't used her litter box at all. I'm worried she's not eating/drinking either. The shelter said she was shy but this seems extreme. Should I move the litter box closer to her hiding spot? Any advice for helping her adjust?

First off, THANK YOU for rescuing! With senior dogs I foster, the 3-3-3 rule applies to cats too: 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn routine, 3 months to feel at home. Keep her in one quiet room with litter box, food/water, and a cozy bed. Don't force interaction - let her come to you. Maybe try a different litter? Some rescues hate scented stuff.

Agree with Alice! My rescue terrier took 5 days to pee outside when we first got him. For cats, make sure the box is in a low-traffic area. NO covered boxes at first - they can feel trapped. Put some of her poop (if you have any from shelter) in the new box so it smells familiar. And CONGRATS on your new baby!

Not a cat person but with my reptiles, environmental stress causes refusal to eat/eliminate. Ensure the litter is unscented and fine-grained (like sand). Keep the box SPOTLESS - cats are clean creatures. Maybe add a pheromone diffuser near her hiding area? They work for anxious beardies too.

lol Bill comparing cats to reptiles 😂 But seriously OP, think of it like acclimating new fish to a tank. Sudden changes = stress. Keep everything consistent. Maybe try a second litter box in a different location so she has options? And use the same litter brand the shelter used if possible. Give it time - she'll come around!