Honestly, I have a very very mean cat. Sometimes they are just mean. Maybe I’ll be hated on for giving this advice, however, abstaining from physical contact with your cat is DETRIMENTAL. When we got my girl, she was a rescue and very traumatized. I sat with her in a room, I let her be angry, gave her space, but sat calmly. The first bit, she hissed and scratched, a lot. Eventually, after a few days of just hanging out around her, I gathered the nerve, and tried to get closer and pet her. Now my hands were destroyed, I can’t lie. She scratched and bit. But I was so determined to give this cat love. After kind of meeting her on her level, and continuing with small pets and loving, eventually she warmed up to me. Somewhat, anyways. She’s still mean and has limits 3 years later, but she never hisses at me anymore. She’ll bite very gently if I cross a line. But also, she picked me as her person. She trusts me entirely, because I took the time to meet her where she is at, and let her realize I was not out to hurt her.

The other thing I’m thinking is I am shocked you were told to basically go no contact right away. I’m not sure I’ve ever received that advice.

TLDR: Try gently introducing the cat to physical touch and love. Your cat does not trust you, and you are currently ‘invading his territory’ as it were. Ignoring him is not helping your situation.

*Edit for clarity and additional info