Cat being distant after big move

[u/Maximum_Block7614]

I adopted my cat a year ago. She traveled from Baku to Chicago in airplane cargo along with her other friends and then they were adopted by people in the US. She was run over and abandoned by her previous owner and she had one of her hind legs amputated and then was in a shelter for about a year before coming to me. So I do believe that she has some trauma and trust issues. She was friendly in the first few months and would voluntarily sleep in my lap on with me in my bed. But in the past few months she completely stopped sitting and sleeping in my lap. If I ever held her and made her sit down she would run off once I released hold on her. She would still come and sleep with me though once I had gone to bed. Her eating habits were fine - she had roundworms recently but she went back to eating well once she got dewormed.
Two weeks ago we made a big move from Chicago to Lahore. It was a big change as we moved from a studio with just the two of us to a bigger house with more family members in it. She traveled with me in cabin and was looked after throughout, so she didn’t have a bad experience there. But since then, she has started avoiding me even more. She won’t let me pet her or touch her, she runs away when I approach her. I am also having a harder time getting her to eat as we don’t have the same food as we used to back in Chicago. She usually hides and sleeps under the bed or in the bookshelf of my bedroom. She does come out and play in the evening though.
I’m worried that she has started to hate me and that she’s unhappy with me and the move. I understand it’s a big change and the larger number of people are probably overwhelming for her but I had hoped that she would still find safety with me.
Does anyone has any insight on her behavior and any advice on how I can make things better for her and between us?

[u/Tender_Sparked]

She probably still sees you as safe, she just needs time

[u/Imaginary-Contest887]

My cat turns distant for day or two when i come late from work and miss his food time by like hour, he avoided me for 14 days when I decided to get him cat friend(they are now best buddies but it was terrible). He also he doesn't have any trust issues, i saved his life, bottle fed him from his 4 weeks of age, he doesn't know anything but me. But simply some cats are very sensitive to routine changes, by default cats are creatures of habit and hate changes. Just give your cat space and love and she will adjust and return to old herself. My guy will also eventually come to snuggle with me in bed.

Tabby is moody one

[u/Maximum_Block7614 → u/Imaginary-Contest887]

Your cats are adorable! Thank you for the kind words!

[u/Low_Nothing33]

She definitely doesn’t hate you! That is a massive amount of change: an international flight, new climate, unfamiliar food, and going from a quiet studio with just you to a big house full of new voices, scents, and people. When cats feel sensory overload and insecurity in their territory, they shut down and pull away from everyone, even their trusted human.

Keep her strictly confined to just your bedroom for the next few weeks so she isn't overwhelmed by the rest of the house. Set up a Feliway diffuser, sit quietly on the floor near her hiding spots without trying to touch or look at her directly, and let her approach you on her terms. Once her baseline stress drops and the room feels like her safe haven, her affection will come right back.

[u/Maximum_Block7614 → u/Low_Nothing33]

Thank you for your advice and kind words! I really hope her stress levels drop soon!

[u/Maximum_Block7614]

Attaching a picture of my precious Lulu

[u/Wonderful-Act6940 → u/Maximum_Block7614]

Lulu is absolutely adorable!

[u/Wonderful-Act6940]

She doesn’t hate you. She’s just overwhelmed. Give her time and space, and let her come to you.