This is my silly boy Safiiri. He had a very difficult life before I adopteded him. He comes from a hoarder situation involving a house with over 200 neglected cats, underfed, malnourished, and sick. When I adopted him the shelter told me he's not a "normal cat" but I promised them I'd cherish him anyway.
So that was about three years ago and he still hasn't warmed up to me. In that time he's had to get surgeries, go on antibiotics, change his diet several times. He had to get a full teeth extraction because of gum disease. I've done so much to give him a comfy happy life despite his health problems because I really do think he deserves a better life than he had.
But he's just so terrified of me. If I come near him he starts flinching as if I'm going to hit him. He hisses, but never attacks me. He's just afraid. He spent a full year hiding in my closet after he was first adopted. On rare occasions he'll allow me to sit near him and I'll pet him super gently, but he seems conflicted. He'll purr, but also flinch in terror, then eventually bolt away.
He's not scared all the time though. If I'm not paying him any attention he's clearly a normal, happy cat and I'm really glad for that. He's overcome his worst health issues and will play with the other cat, with his toys, or he'll lounge around on his bed. Don't get it twisted, he's a very chill happy cat so long as I don't get near him. But I just don't understand.
Does anyone have any advice? :(
Are there any foods he absolutely loves? My greyhound was similar when I got him but I built trust by throwing a piece of cheese or sausage near him a couple of times a day until he got used to me as a snack dispenser, then serving the snacks from my hand and giving him one or two light, brief strokes, and slowly built up over a year or two until he loves cuddling now.
edit: also, this bit
probably won't ever completely go away. It's a trauma reaction (mine's a former racer, so you can imagine what types he'll have) and even if they manage to mostly overcome it there will be times where it bubbles back to the surface. My grey still can't stand to have his belly touched, even though we've had him nearly 5 years now.
Yeah he loves salmon, just like my other cat. If it really is trauma that's kinda heartbreaking because I just can't imagine anyone treating him so poorly. He's such a sweet and docile cat.