What Is a Group of Kittens Called?
The everyday term for a litter, and the older, more playful word reserved just for kittens.
Quick answer: A group of kittens is most commonly called a litter of kittens — the everyday term for kittens born together to the same mother. The older, more traditional collective noun is a kindle of kittens, a term specific to young cats rather than adults.
What Is a Group of Kittens Called?
A group of kittens is most commonly called a litter — the plain, widely understood term for a set of kittens born together to one mother in a single pregnancy. Kindle is the older, more decorative collective noun specific to kittens, distinct from clowder, which is the traditional term for a group of adult cats.
Where Does “Kindle” Come From?
“Kindle” traces back to Middle English “kindelen,” meaning to give birth (related to the modern word “kin”), and was historically applied to the offspring of several animals, not just cats — rabbits were also said to “kindle” a litter. Like many of English’s more ornate animal-group terms, it appears in collective-noun lists dating back centuries but has largely been replaced by “litter” in everyday speech.
Kitten Facts
- A typical litter has 3 to 5 kittens, though litters can range from 1 to as many as 8 or more.
- Kittens are born with their eyes closed and typically open them around 7 to 10 days after birth.
- A mother cat can begin weaning her litter around 4 weeks old, with kittens usually fully weaned by 8 to 10 weeks.
- Cat gestation lasts about 63 to 65 days, meaning a mother cat can potentially have more than one litter per year.
- Once kittens mature into adult cats, the group term traditionally shifts from litter/kindle to clowder.
Examples in a Sentence
“The shelter took in an entire litter of kittens found in a barn.”
“A kindle of kittens tumbled over each other, chasing a piece of string across the porch.”
Other Names for a Group of Kittens
Litter is the standard, most widely used term for kittens born together. Kindle is the more traditional, historical alternate specific to young cats. Once kittens grow into adults, clowder becomes the more accurate term — a helpful distinction, since clowder is often mistakenly applied to kittens too.
Test Your Knowledge
1. What is a group of kittens most commonly called?
- Litter
- Pack
- Colony
- Herd
2. What is the term for a group of adult cats?
- Kindle
- Litter
- Clowder
- Cast
3. About how big is a typical litter of kittens?
- 1–2 kittens
- 3–5 kittens
- 10–12 kittens
- 15+ kittens
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a group of kittens called?
A group of kittens is most commonly called a litter. Kindle is an older, more traditional term specific to young cats.
What is the difference between a litter and a kindle?
They refer to the same thing — kittens born together to one mother. Litter is the modern, everyday term, while kindle is the older, more historical collective noun.
What is a group of adult cats called?
A group of adult cats is called a clowder, distinct from the litter/kindle terms used for kittens specifically.
How many kittens are in a typical litter?
A typical litter has three to five kittens, though litters can range from one to eight or more.
When do kittens open their eyes?
Kittens are born with their eyes closed and typically open them around seven to ten days after birth.