You have saved him already so this will never be a defeat. Never! I know that to you it seems he has been there a long time but cat time is different from human time. Have you ever noticed how many hours a cat can sit or lay still? We could never do that! They have a different perception of time. As for pain, cats don’t show pain if they can avoid it. As an outside kitty it would have been dangerous to show any weakness. Predators seek out the weak or injured as easier prey. Cats instinctively know this and hide pain if possible. I hope Arthur is not in pain but keep that in mind as you go forward. I really think he needs a lot more time. Laying on your back near him is a very good way to encourage him to approach and even to rub on you or even climb onto you at some point. A friend here had a very traumatized and abused kitty that was given up on by all rescuers. He would not eat and remained sort of frozen. It was worst case scenario! The friend took him from the rescuers and to his home to spend his “final” days in a quieter place. He was not expected to live much longer. The friend did not want to give up on him. This cat was an amputee and had survived a lot but seemed to have given up on humans. Over the first days we talked a lot about this kitty. Laying on the back with kitty and giving him a place to hide beside his new human was first. We came up with a plan together. He tented a sheet over the bed and over the edge of the bed where the kitty could remain hidden but still lay near the human. I felt that if the human gave him some of the comfort a mom cat would offer, it might help. Using a tiny brush or even the corner of a warm washcloth to do short lick type strokes on his ears and later across his eyes and face would imitate a mother washing her baby. Love licks to a cat. The cat responded after a bit with purring and seeming to relax his muscles. (All this while under hiding and human laying on his back on the floor) Then it progressed to the human curving his body slightly to partially encircle the kitty but not close him in. This done while offering warm , Gerber second foods all meat baby food to be licked from humans fingers. The cat did lick the food! Progress with this kitty was very slow. We did know the history of severe abuse, abandonment and horrible injuries so we knew the kitty was scared. I felt he was basically paralyzed by fear and depression. Each day the laying, feeding and droppers of water were given. Then I got a message one morning. The cat had gotten under the sheet and climbed into bed with the human! Still hidden by the sheet but beginning to feel secure. This continued for awhile. Then the kitty started hiding in a closet instead of under the bed or sheet! Steps back? No! He was becoming brave! He slowly progressed and began sleeping in the closet instead of under the bed or sheet. He started coming out to potty and finally back to being petted. He began eating and drinking normally. He is now living with his house mate kitties and his human in a very good way. He plays! He eats and drinks and cuddles! This took a lot of patience for the human and time. We don’t know the whole history on Arthur. We do know he has been through some scary times. Trauma is something that comes with fear. My point is, Arthur is far ahead of where this cat was and he is progressing in a very good way. You can try what was done with that cat and use mom cat behavior to make him feel more comforted but he needs time. Don’t pursue him, bring him to you. He’s doing really well even though it seems painfully slow to you. Love, care and patience. You’re getting there! I would not grab him for holding. Enticing him to rub against you or to climb onto your leg while sitting on the floor would be the way I would lead him into being held when he is ready. Let him show you what he is ready for as things move along.
Maine Coon cats tend to be vocal. If he calls out as he is in a room, that’s normal and you can respond and encourage him by calling back to him. Watching him and listening to him can show you what he wants and needs. Tail straight up is a more confident posture. Tail in a question mark position? He may be wondering about things. Tail tucked under? Scared, unsure or even hurting. Switching tail? Agitated, scared, uncomfortable or excited. Ears back? Not happy or stalking something. Ears at an angle? Questioning or displeased. Ears flattened to the head? Possible swat coming. Ears straight up? Everything okay. Slow blinks? Telling you that peace is offered. Rolling onto his back? Showing he is offering his most vulnerable spot to you as a show of trust and surrender. Body language can help you to understand what is going on with him. The different sounds of his meows are something you can learn too. Sometimes they just meow to find you and sometimes they are lonely, hungry, curious or scared. Watch and listen and you will start to notice patterns with him. Cat speak is the language of cats.
So sorry I was away for awhile. Dealing with some issues here but I will be checking in.
Maine Coon cats tend to be vocal. If he calls out as he is in a room, that’s normal and you can respond and encourage him by calling back to him. Watching him and listening to him can show you what he wants and needs. Tail straight up is a more confident posture. Tail in a question mark position? He may be wondering about things. Tail tucked under? Scared, unsure or even hurting. Switching tail? Agitated, scared, uncomfortable or excited. Ears back? Not happy or stalking something. Ears at an angle? Questioning or displeased. Ears flattened to the head? Possible swat coming. Ears straight up? Everything okay. Slow blinks? Telling you that peace is offered. Rolling onto his back? Showing he is offering his most vulnerable spot to you as a show of trust and surrender. Body language can help you to understand what is going on with him. The different sounds of his meows are something you can learn too. Sometimes they just meow to find you and sometimes they are lonely, hungry, curious or scared. Watch and listen and you will start to notice patterns with him. Cat speak is the language of cats.
So sorry I was away for awhile. Dealing with some issues here but I will be checking in.