What Does Herding Cats Mean?

Co-authored by Tristen Bonacci and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: February 1, 2024

You’ve probably “herd” of herding sheep and cattle, but what about herding cats? This popular idiom doesn’t make a whole lot of sense at first, especially if you have a cat of your own at home. No worries, though—you’ve come to the right article. We’ve taken a deep dive into the definition and history of this idiom, so you can understand it and use it on your own.

Section 1 of 3:

What does “herding cats” mean?

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“Herding cats” refers to an extremely difficult or impossible task of leading other people. Cats are very independent animals—they do what they want, when they want. They definitely can’t be herded into a unified group/flock. So, when someone is managing an uncooperative and independent group of people, they compare the experience to “herding cats.”^{[1]
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- Person 1: “Tough day?”
  Person 2: “You bet. Handling my students is about as easy as herding cats!”
- The popular Discovery Channel series MythBusters actually tested the “herding cats” myth by trying (unsuccessfully) to herd 8 cats into a smaller pen. Needless to say, they proved that the “herding cats” idiom is very accurate!^{[2]
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Use “Herding Cats”

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1
Describe an incredibly difficult, group-oriented task you’re struggling with. Maybe your co-workers are refusing to work together on a group project, or your students aren’t willing to stay seated. While you’re venting to a friend or loved one about the tough situation, you can use the idiom “herding cats” to show how difficult things are.^{[3]
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- “Dealing with other attorneys is like herding cats.”
- “Managing a nursing home is about as easy as herding cats.”
2
Use “herding cats” as an analogy. People use the word “like” or “as” to compare a difficult group task to the prospect of “herding cats.” For example:
- “Rounding up the toddlers at daycare is like herding cats.”
- “Being a field trip chaperone is exhausting. It’s like herding cats!”
- “Getting my family in one room is about as easy as herding cats.”

Section 3 of 3:

Where does “herding cats” come from?

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During the TV episode, a group of shepherds is chatting about their flocks. They eventually start talking about “herds of cats” instead, and what they would be like.
IT professional Platt famously said that “Managing senior programmers is like herding cats,” since programmers are so independent. That quote might have inspired other people to use the idiom more frequently.^{[4]
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The commercial (titled “Cat Herding”) featured a group of cowboys on horseback herding a large group of cats. This well-televised commercial might have inspired more people to use the phrase “herding cats” in their day-to-day conversations.^{[5]
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