- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
You’ve heard of a pride of lions and a pack of dogs, but what do you call a group of cats hanging out together?
… Give up? It’s called a “clowder.” If you didn’t guess it, don’t worry! The term “clowder” isn’t as common as other animal group names, and most people—even devoted pet parents—have probably never heard it before.
While the term clowder may sound like total nonsense at first, or possibly a typo for “chowder,” it turns out the term may have some historical reasoning behind it.
Below, discover why a group of domestic cats goes by the name clowder, and learn more fun group names for your favorite feline friends.
A Group Of Cats: Name and History Explained
Etymology experts don’t completely agree about where the term clowder comes from. But it probably doesn’t have anything to do with chowder. (Though Chowder might make a cute cat name.)
The first recorded use of the term dates back to 1795–1805, according to Dictionary.com. Some people believe the word is a variant of the term “clodder,” which means “a cluttered mass.” If you’ve ever considered how cats often gather together—especially in the middle of busy hallways or your favorite spot on the couch—the word might start to make sense.
Merriam-Webster has a slightly different take. They believe clowder might originate from the noun “clutter,” which means “a crowded or confused mass or collection.” If you’ve ever watched a group of cats mill around an empty alley, you might find this description fitting, too.
What Other Names Does A Group of Cats Go By?
Clowder isn’t the only thing you can call your cats. A more modern term (that some cat parents may find all too apt) is “a destruction of cats.”
Other terms you can use to describe a group of cats include:
- Cluster: A great descriptor for kitties who love to cuddle, this word dates back to the 1400s and means “a number of persons, animals, or things gathered in a close body.”
- Glaring: This term means “to stare fiercely,” so it may most fitting when your cats stare you down for treats.
- Nuisance: This word, which comes from the 1690s, means “a source of annoyance.” It’s a great term for those days when your cats won’t stop knocking water bottles off the table.
- Pounce: This word dates back to the 1680s. The modern definition, which means “to jump or fall upon suddenly,” might describe a few playful kittens or energetic adult cats.
What’s A Group of Kittens Called?
Groups of adult cats have a few different names. But most people usually just call a group of kittens a “litter,” though this term most often refers to newborn or very young kittens who still need their mother. (It also applies to puppies.)
This term has nothing to do with kitty litter. It dates back to the 1540s and comes from the verb “litter,” which refers to the “act of furnishing with bedding.” The word was later expanded to mean “straw used for bedding.”
When you consider that your cat’s ancestors likely gave birth in barns filled with straw, the association becomes a bit clearer.
What’s A Group of Feral Cats Called?
While many people believe cats prefer to fly solo, this is a misconception. Cats are actually social creatures who commonly live together in groups. Experts generally refer to a group of feral or stray cats living together outdoors as a “colony.”
The word colony dates back to the 14th century during the time of the Roman Empire. Just think of that group of stray cats as colonists settling into a quiet back alleyway or abandoned barn.
How Do Cats Behave In Groups?
When cats grow up together in the same colony, you’ll often see them hugging with their tails, rubbing their cheeks together, and cuddling, says Beth Brown, certified cat behavior consultant and owner of Ear to Tail.
However, stray cat colonies are insular and don’t take kindly to strangers. In short, the cat club is a very exclusive one. They’ll often drive away newcomers or respond to strange cats by hissing, chasing, or swatting them away.
Indoor cats may also show this behavior—which is why you’ll want to take things slow when you introduce a new cat or kitten to your resident cat(s).
As part of the gradual introduction, Brown says each cat should also have their own food bowls, litter boxes, beds, climbing spaces, and toys, preferably in separate locations. This allows every cat to have their own set of resources.
After all, would you want to share your dinner plate or your private bathroom with your little sibling? Probably not. So, try to give everyone in your clowder, destruction, or pounce their own space.
Who Comes Up With Animal Group Names?
No one! No, seriously. There’s no single official source for animal group names. The existing ones come from thousands of different text sources compiled over hundreds of years. Many of these terms have fallen completely out of use.
A 1400s text on hunting called the “Boke of Saint Albans” compiles several animal group names that people still use today, like a gaggle of geese and a school of fish. It also contains more fanciful and obscure terms like:
- A city of badgers
- A skulk of foxes
- A muster of peacocks
- An unkindness of ravens
The book even has an alternate term for a litter of kittens: a “kindle.” You probably won’t find that in your copy of Merriam-Webster, though. The words that make it into an official dictionary are those that are very frequently used.
But at the end of the day, English is constantly evolving. So, if you’re looking for a license to make up your own names for a group of cats—like a cuddle of kittens or a cacophony of cats—go for it! Who knows, maybe it’ll catch on, and you’ll be the one officially coming up with names for groups of animals.