Relaxing music for dogs: calming down through musical notes
Many dog owners consider the topic of music for dogs to be a myth. However, several studies have already shown that animals generally react positively to music: Not only in cats, but also in sharks, for example, the stress level decreases when music is played.
Too Researchers from the University of Glasgow together with the Scottish Animal Welfare found out that dogs also like to listen to music. Different genres were played to dogs in animal shelters - including classical music, reggae, soft rock and pop - while an ECG was used to measure the heartbeat and thus the stress level of the dogs. In this way, the researchers were able to determine that the dogs became calmer while the music played.
So if you have an anxious dog or want to do something good for your pet, you can turn on your favorite playlist and watch how your dog reacts - but beware: Not all dogs like all music genres equally. Read on to learn more about relaxation music for dogs.
What music relaxes dogs?
If you want to calm your stressed or anxious dog, you can play music for him. Did you know that dogs also have a taste in music? Regardless of the genre, the dogs in the University of Glasgow study reacted very positively to music - but they preferred to listen to the music genres reggae and soft rock, as the scientists found.
The dogs' taste in music could be recognized in the study by the fact that their stress level dropped significantly. Not all dogs reacted in the same way. As confirmed by the researchers, the results of the study suggest that dogs, like us humans, prefer to listen to certain types of music and others less.
Finding out your dog's taste in music
Whether your dog also prefers to listen to reggae, soft rock or pop music, you can easily find out for yourself. Just play different music for him and observe his behavior closely: Does he seem calmer or suddenly restless?
If your dog seems calm to you and sits down or lies down, for example, this is a good sign that the music playing will help him relax. However, if he fidgets around or even makes whiny sounds, you should try a different song or genre of music. In the best case, your dog likes the same music as you and you can share a playlist with each other.
Sleep music for dogs? Calm down with gentle notes
Sleep music for dogs is particularly popular with owners if their own pet has problems falling asleep and resting. Sleep and relaxation music for stressed dogs, for example, can also help with thunderstorms, or when your dog is sick.
There are now playlists, CDs and even apps especially for dog ears. This is usually relaxation music for dogs. So if your dog is nervous, you can try to calm him down with music. Music is not only good for dogs in stressful situations. You can also play music for your dog when he falls asleep so that he can relax even better. Puppies in particular can benefit from music, as they need between 15 and 22 hours of sleep a day in the first few weeks. And the more active your little puppy is, the more sleep he needs.
You can find good relaxation music for dogs not only on YouTube, but also on apps like Spotify. Here you will find a Sample playlist with relaxing music especially for dogs.
Do dogs hear louder than humans?
You may be wondering if your dog perceives the music playing differently than you do. In fact, dogs hear louder and more intensely than humans. Your pet is able to hear more sounds than you do. For us humans, the frequency range audible to us is between 20 and 20,000 hertz – that of dogs is about 15 to 50,000 hertz. Your dog can therefore perceive high-pitched sounds better than you can - so the dog's hearing is much finer than ours. So when listening to music with your dog, always make sure that the music is not too loud. Loud music can be not only disturbing for dogs, but also harmful.
So just give it a try and observe how your dog reacts to different genres of music. Your dog will be happy about this special wellness program! Here at PURINA you can also learn more about your dog's behavior and about his dog language.