The Unexpected Reason Your Cat Keeps Interrupting Your Work Calls

Ever since the frequency of video calls increased dramatically in 2020, cats have been the undisputed megastars of Zoom, Teams, and FaceTime meetings in virtual workplaces around the globe. Their adorably fuzzy faces and spirited feline antics have livened up many a dull discussion of annual reports and quarterly spreadsheets. But why are cats so intent on interrupting strategic planning sessions and project status updates? They just want to enjoy your attention.

One explanation is that your cat hears your voice, thinks you're talking to them, and — like any polite feline — answers with a friendly meow or a chirp. Cats are attuned to your tone of voice and body language, so if you conscientiously maintain an upbeat demeanor in meetings, your cat may find that especially appealing. When you continue with your work call and don't adequately respond to your feline friend, more bids for attention inevitably ensue, everything from adorable bunting against your arm and prancing across your keyboard to putting a butt in your face. Whenever you respond to your cat's attention-seeking behavior in any way, whether positive or negative, you inadvertently teach the cat that this is a successful way to gain your attention.

Cats can hear much better than people and most other mammals. While humans can hear sounds as high-frequency as 20,000 Hertz, feline hearing goes to at least 64,000 Hertz, which helps cats detect high-pitched sounds such as a frightened mouse's squeak. Cats can also pinpoint where sounds are coming from with impressive precision. All of this means cats can hear high-pitched noises emanating from headphones or laptop speakers and, being curious creatures, feel compelled to investigate. If your cat perceives the noise as threatening, they may insert themselves into your call out of a desire to alert you to the danger.

Onscreen movements can entice cats, as can the warmth emanating from laptops and tablets. Your cat may be drawn to your keyboard and mouse in particular because these devices are covered in your scent, which conveys a feeling of security to your pet, and your cat may be trying to mingle their scent with yours to strengthen the social bond between you two. 

It's possible that boredom might be the cause of a cat's interrupting behavior. Your bored cat sees you interacting with something other than them — possibly for many hours in a row — and wants to redirect your attention and be entertained by you. After all, cats do tend to believe they're in charge of every aspect of our lives. Fortunately, kitty coworkers are the best coworkers of all.