19/04/2026
KITTENS - Part Three: Archer
Archer was a highly unusual and interesting “kitten case” in our cattery. At barely 8 months old, presented with completely unexpected and quite curious aggressive behaviours, which required us to put a special “programme” together for him.
THIS IS A LONG POST, SO MAKE YOURSELF A CUP OF COFFEE, SIT BACK AND READ!
It is not unusual that new guests need time to settle in and become comfortable with the cattery environment and with us as their new carer. Cats, that are particularly sensitive/emotional and/or are particularly closely bonded with their owners/family, can initially have a hard time adjusting to being here.
When a cat feels like that, it can manifest in hostile or even semi-aggressive behaviours, ranging from the typical tail flickering, ears back, strained face, growling, snorting, hissing, to lashing out at us, and making pretence lunging type attacks.
Whilst we obviously take such behaviours seriously, and also take measures to protect ourselves, we always approach our guests’ behaviour with understanding; typically, this is a cat who either desperately misses his/her family, or who feels seriously frustrated because they have been deprived of their freedom, or both.
Archer seemed a little more complex, and we suspected that a whole range of factors played in. In his case, we had observed a very close bond between him and his human parents; he had a confident and strong personality, was super intelligent, but was also a very young, immature and relatively inexperienced little cat. All kittens like to play and they need to spend energy. Archer had very high levels of energy that easily could become pent up.
According to his owners, Archer had previously been staying in another cattery. The people, who had looked after him there, reported back that he had been “okay”. But his owners suspected that Archer had not had a lot of interaction with his carers during his stay. Given his reaction to us, when he realised that we too represented a cattery, did indeed make us wonder what he expected would happen to him.
We always ask owners to help us settle their cat(s) in with us. Owners are invited to come to the pen with us, and spend some time whilst our new guest becomes familiar with the pen. Their cat will socially reference with them and look for clues to tell him/her if this place is safe and okay. The more relaxed and at ease the owner is, the greater the likelihood that the cat will become familiar with and accept his/her new surroundings, -and also come to recognise us as safe and friendly humans.
This was also the case with Archer. His mum and dad gave generously of their time, helping him to settle in and they got him to play with several toys. Archer responded very favourably to me, rubbing up against my legs and happily allowing strokes and cuddles.
That changed dramatically, once Archer’s mum and dad had left. At first, he quietly disappeared into the bedroom and settled on his bed. Not unusual. But when he then came back out to the front pen after a little sleep, he had flipped. He was clearly unsettled, meowing and calling. However, when I then came to spend time with him, he greeted me with unease and a range of seemingly fearless aggressive behaviours, including lashing out both from sitting high up and whilst on the floor, and attacking my feet and legs, climbing half way up, looking very angry.
We were perplexed. What to do?
We started from the premise that every behaviour is a communication. So, to try and get a better understanding of Archer’s communication, I filmed two separate visits to his pen, where I caught his attacks and other behaviours on film. This allowed us to analyse every bit of movement, body and facial expressions, frame by frame. Among other things, we could see attempts at being friendly and at marking my legs almost immediately after an attack. We also saw apologetic behaviours and subtle attempts at making amends after I had told him “No! or called “Ah -ah!”. We got a clear impression that Archer, despite his hostile behaviour, actually desperately needed human company and love. We have never experienced such conflicted behaviour from a kitten before. He was in a bad place emotionally, clearly terribly vulnerable, probably missing his family desperately and feeling very frustrated at having to stay with us.
Archer was going to stay with us for 2 weeks, so we had good time to work with him and try to put him at ease, and become a relaxed and happy cat with us. We needed to help him adjust to us and our presence, and to trust us being around him in the pen. His aggressive behaviour needed correcting. He needed to be mentally stimulated and helped to use lots of energy. Most of all, he needed experiences with us that would help him to bond with us and allow him to feel loved.
So, we put together a special programme, starting with getting Archer to associate us with something pleasant and to teach him to feel relaxed in our company. Initially, I would be his main carer, so as not to overwhelm him and to maintain consistency.
At first, I sat in an armchair in the corridor outside Archer’s pen. When he showed interest in me, I would talk to him gently and “stroke him with words”. Later, I sat on the floor by his door. Slowly, he began to appear more relaxed and content
Every time I visited Archer’s pen, I made sure that I arrived with a gift for him; either treats, some tasty wet food or a toy with cat nip. I would not attempt physical touch; physically reaching out to him put him on edge. Instead, I talked gently with him and praised any good behaviour with, “Good boy!”. If Archer showed any undesirable behaviour, I would first say, “Ah, ah – NO!” as a warning for him to stop, and if he continued or repeated, I would leave the pen, effectively taking away what Archie most of all desired: company, love and attention. I would then return a couple of minutes later, and start afresh. This process also taught me about Archer’s triggers; when and how he became unsettled. Knowing his triggers, allowed me to help him get it right more of the time. After 3-4 days, I could begin to safely enter and also sit with Archer on the floor of his pen without any hostile behaviour.
Archer was given plenty of interactive toys to help keep him active and stimulated. Eventually, I could play with him “at a distance”, using a toy on a string or a feather stick, or throwing a small toy for him. Every time he engaged, he was praised. He began to climb over me on the floor whilst playing. When he needed a rest, he began to sit and sometimes lie down next to me on the floor. Eventually, he started climbing up onto my legs for cuddles.
We were so pleased that we eventually managed to see the REAL kitten Archer; the trusting, loving, charming, personable and affectionate, the engaged, curious, playful, comical, and super smart little Archer!
Little man, we are sorry that you had such a difficult start with us. You don’t know it yet, but we will be seeing you very soon again. We hope that we will be able to start with you, where we left off.
At Wolds Retreat Cattery, we operate with a 100% honesty policy, whether it is good or bad news. Throughout Archer's stay, we kept his mum and dad informed of his progress.
