You know about packs of wolves, murders of crows, and colonies of ants. But what is a group of cats called? No, it's not a pride like lions, but rather a clowder of cats. And while this term might make you picture a bowl of clam chowder, it actually shares origins with other words you know.
A group of cats is called a clowder. And How Many cats do you need to make a Clowder? Well… Two cats are just a pair. Three or more cats are a clowder.
We've all heard of a pack of wolves and a herd of cattle, but did you know that the correct collective noun for a 'group' of cats is a clowder?
Cats are solitary animals and like to be left alone
While dogs descend from wolves which live in family groups, most wild cats live alone. However, domesticated cats can form very close bonds to people, as well as forming unlikely friendships with other animals such as dogs.
The actual name for a group of cats is a clowder.
A group of cats is called a clutter. It is also called as a clowder.
What is a group of cats called? A group of cats is called a clowder. It can also be called a glaring, particularly if the cats are uncertain of each other. A litter of kittens can also be called a kindle.
Pairs are Happier
Left alone, a cat can develop behavioral problems, and in some cases, even show signs of depression. Cats in bonded pairs, on the other hand, are more likely to be better adjusted.
Thus cats are not 'pack' animals but have the ability to adapt to form social groups. Where social groups of cats do exist, they appear only to work well when the members of the group are familiar and when there is no competition over food or other resources.
Almost all feline species live (mostly) solitary lives. However, some feral cats will live in colonies that loosely resemble lion prides. A colony consists of a group of (usually) related females and their offspring. The size of the colony depends on the availability of food and other resources.
Lions are the only big cats that live in groups, called prides. Lionesses hunt together, bringing down large prey like wildebeests and zebras. All other big cats live solitary lives, with the exception of mothers and cubs.
The Cat Pack are a group of cats formed by Wild in the preschool television series PAW Patrol. Wild formed the group so that they could help assist the PAW Patrol. Each of the Cat Pack members has their gear and vehicles inspired by a big cat (Cheetah, White Tiger, Jaguar, and Lion).
Other Words You May Hear for a Group of Cats
Clutter of cats. Destruction of cats. Dout of cats. Nuisance of cats.
Clowder Etymology: Why Is a Group of Cats Called a Clowder? According to Teresa Keiger, self-proclaimed word nerd and creative director of the Cat Fanciers' Association, the word clowder is English. Its origins trace back to the word "clotern," like other well-known words such as "clot," "clutter" and "cluster."
A group of kittens can be called a litter, kindle, or intrigue. A litter refers to kittens birthed by the same mother, while kindles or intrigues of kittens can be unrelated to one another.
Do Cats Have Alphas? Not really. The concept of an “alpha” comes from now-outdated research on wolves. In more recent years, researchers have come to understand that wolf packs are actually family groups and the adults that are “in charge” or “alpha” are the parents.
There is no linear hierarchy (social structure with clear ranking where each animal in the group is dominant over those below it and submissive to those above it) within these social groups but conflict over resources can occur. Cats recognise colony members vs. non-colony members.
The size of cat colonies can vary greatly, from as little as two cats up to about 15 cats. Within the cat colonies, feral cats are quite sociable, forming close friendships with other cats and collectively rearing their young. Related females and their young form the core of a feral cat colony.
Can Cats Get Jealous of Other Cats? Jealousy over the presence of another cat is very common. All cats have different personalities, and some will be made insecure and display jealousy more easily than others. It is important to watch your cat and observe their cues and triggers.
The number of cats you can humanely care for depends on your availability, energy, and resources. For most of us, having one or two cats is a full-time job, but some people may be able to balance caring for as many as four to six cats.
So, how many cats is too many cats? There is no magic number at which “how many” becomes “too many.” It's more like a magic threshold one crosses at which point life goes from being “feline-friendly” to “feline-unhealthy.” For some cat owners, “too many” means two cats. For others, it means nine.
A group of cats is usually called a clowder, but may also be called a cluster, clutter, glaring, or pounce. Unlike dogs, domestic cats do not have a pack mentality. As such, they do not follow a rigid hierarchy when living in groups. Male cats usually don't live in groups.
One of your cats may have “Alpha Cat” status, with other cats deferring to him. You may find pairs of your cats choosing to relax in proximity to each other to the exclusion of other cats, and each of your cats may have established her own “territory” however small it may be.
The term “molly” is a general term for a female cat of any age. Unlike male cats being called either “toms” or “tomcats,” a female cat would only be referred to as a “molly” and not a “molly cat.” This is the term used from the time a kitten is born and can technically be used her whole life.