What Do You Call a Group of Cats?

The Main Word

A group of cats is most commonly called a clowder.

You may also hear older or less common terms, but "clowder" is the one most readers recognize.

Other Useful Terms

In real-world cat care, different words are useful in different settings:

| Term | Typical use | |---|---| | Clowder | General collective noun for cats | | Colony | Free-roaming or feral cats sharing a territory | | Kindle | A group of kittens | | Litter | Kittens born in one birth to one queen |

For shelters, TNR programs, and wildlife management, colony is often the most practical term.

Why "Colony" Matters in Cat Welfare

Free-living cats are not always solitary. Research on domestic cat social organization shows that cats can form structured groups when resources are concentrated, especially around predictable food and shelter.

That is why animal welfare teams use terms like:

• "community cat colony"
• "managed colony"
• "feral colony caretaker"

These terms help describe both the cats and the management plan (feeding, sterilization, vaccination, monitoring).

Are Cat Groups Random?

Not usually. In many colonies:

• Related females may stay near each other
• Social bonds are stronger between preferred associates
• Access to food and resting spots shapes spacing and behavior

So while "clowder" is the language fact, "colony" often reflects the biology and management reality.

Bottom Line

If you want one answer: call a group of cats a clowder.
If you are talking about outdoor free-roaming populations, colony is usually the clearer and more scientific term.