Why does my cat meow when I start a video call?

Your cat usually meows during video calls because you’re suddenly talking, focused elsewhere, and sounding different. Cats often treat your voice like a cue to interact, and the strange voices from speakers can make them curious or uneasy.

Common reasons:

• They think you’re talking to them
• They want your attention because you’re sitting still but not engaging
• They react to the speaker audio or unfamiliar voices
• Your tone and body language change when you’re in “meeting mode”

How to reduce it:

• Use headphones to cut confusing speaker noise
• Do playtime or feeding before the call
• Set up a nearby cat bed or perch
• Don’t reward meowing with attention during the call, or they’ll learn it works

In short: your cat is usually asking, “Why are you talking to other people instead of me?”