What Is a Group of Cats Called? A Clowder, a Glaring, a Kindle?

Ok, what do you call this group other than freaking adorable? Edoma / Shutterstock

You might see a few cats lounging together and wonder, what is a group of cats called? While we often think of cats as solitary, they do sometimes form social groups. And yes, there’s a specific word for that.

The most common term is a clowder. When three or more cats form a group, they can be called a clowder of cats.

It sounds a bit unusual, but it’s a real word listed in English dictionaries. The word "clowder" likely originated from "clutter," which makes a certain kind of sense when you think about how cats pile up on couches or in sunbeams.

4 Other Terms for a Group of Cats

A group of kittens from the same mom is a litter, whereas a group of unrelated kittens is a kindle. Gerain0812 / Shutterstock

Clutter: Also used to describe a group of cats, this is especially applicable when they seem like a chaotic bundle
Glaring: This is typically used when the cats are unfamiliar or wary of each other.
Colony: This usually refers to feral cat colonies, where wild or semi-wild cats live together and rely on each other for food and survival.
Kindle: A group of young cats or kittens is sometimes called a kindle. It's distinct from a litter, which refers to a group of kittens born to the same mother.

Feral vs. Domestic Groups

In the wild or in urban settings, feral cat colonies can form in areas where food is readily available. These cats live in loose social groups with some hierarchy. Female cats often cooperate to raise kittens. Males may come and go, depending on food sources and dominance.

Domesticated cats don’t always get along in the same house, but with time and space, they can form small groups. These groups don’t follow the strict pack behavior of dogs or wolves, but some cats develop bonds and show social behaviors like grooming, playing, and sleeping together.

Cats and Social Behavior

While not as pack-oriented as dogs, cats are more social than many people think. They use body language, vocal sounds, and scent to communicate with other members of their group.

Whether it's a peaceful clowder or a tense glaring, cats are complex animals with layered social lives.

Cats may form groups for various reasons: proximity to food, safety in numbers, or the familiar scent of other cats they were raised with. And while they may not hunt in packs like wolves, groups of cats will band together to defend their territory.

So next time you see a cluster of felines relaxing in a yard or alley, you can confidently say it’s a clowder. Or maybe even a glaring, if they’re giving you the stink-eye.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.