Cats tend to be seen as solitary animals, often preferring their own company and hunting by themselves. In the wild, one major exception to the rule is the lion, who most often lives and hunts in groups called prides. However, it’s not uncommon to see domestic cats in groups, either living together in a home or as groups of stray and alley cats. This begs the question: What is a group of cats called?
Of course, you could just call them a group of cats; you’re technically not wrong, but if you’re looking for the more technical term, ‘colony’ or ‘clowder’ work best. Colony is most often used when referring to a community of stray or feral cats, so what about clowder? Let’s take a closer look at this unusual term to discover its origins and how it came to be used to describe cats.
What Is a Clowder?
A flock of sheep, a pack of wolves, a herd of cows, and a clowder of cats? Where on earth did this term originate?
Clowder is a derivative of the word “clodder,” which means to clot or coagulate. This is an archaic, late 17th-century term that referred to a clotted mass of a substance. Over the years, the term evolved to become “clowder,” which is pronounced almost the same as “chowder.”
Back in the day, cats were often valued more for pest control than as household companions. Instead, they stayed in barns and shelters where they kept farms clear of rodents and pests. This formed the ideal environment for cat socialization. Unlike modern homes in the 21st century, cats weren’t secluded in their homes but would interact freely in barns and farms, like the cats we see in our back alleys.
The exact reason why a gathering of cats was called a clodder or clowder is unknown, but it would be easy to imagine someone likening cats swarming together to a clot forming! Cats move almost as though they are liquid, so a group of felines coming together could certainly be compared to coagulation.
What Other Terms Mean the Same as Clowder?
There are a few other terms you can use to refer to a group of cats that are sometimes listed in fun word collections, though not widely recognized, and most of which are not particularly complimentary! They include:
- Destruction
- Cluster
- Glaring
- Nuisance
- Pounce
A cluster of cats certainly fits seamlessly into a sentence compared to a clowder of cats. Either way, you can use any of the above terms to refer to a group of cats without breaking the sacred rules of English grammar.
How Do Cats Relate With Each Other?
Cats aren’t widely known for their social nature, which raises the question of how often you are likely to spot a group of cats. If you only own a single cat, then your best bet for seeing a clowder of cats is by walking through back alleys and peeking inside garbage bins on the street.
If you have several cats or just a handful of them, you’ve probably noticed a little grouping. Although solitary creatures, cats can form pretty strong bonds with each other. If you notice one of your cats rubbing against another, it means they trust each other. By allowing their scents to mingle, they can become bosom buddies. Over time, these bonds grow, and before you know it, you have a clowder of cats looking to overthrow your household.
In the wild, feral females might form smaller groups, while others prefer to live alone. Even if they live together, they still hunt individually and live separate lives.
Conclusion
Now that you know what a group of cats is called, feel free to use the term at your discretion. Drop it into social media captions, or score points at your local trivia night! You can even use it during conversations with your dinner guests to sound smart.
So, what’s better than an adorable cat? A clowder of adorable cats, of course!
Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
