Have you ever wondered what your cat enjoys listening to in terms of music? You may have turned on your favorite music to comfort your cat before leaving the house. Some people believe that relaxing tunes can soothe their cats when they’re alone in the house. While certain music can do this, in other cases, it could cause more anxiety for your cat. What’s the real deal with cats and music? Which sounds calm them and which ones stress them out?
Cats and Music
So, do cats like music? The short answer is yes. The longer answer is they like very cat-friendly tunes, but not most human music. Cats have extremely sensitive ears and can hear sounds that humans cannot. Because of this, many kinds of human music are too loud and stressful for cats’ ears. Music with a lot of noise or abrupt sounds can actually cause significant stress for our feline friends. Pay attention to body language for signs of anxiety when you’re playing different types of music.
Cat-Friendly Music
Cats are attracted to music that mimics the sounds they make to communicate. This means tempos and frequencies that are pleasing to a cat’s ears. Cat-friendly music will often have the addition of sounds like purring, suckling, or even birds chirping. These sounds provide a serene environment for a cat, which allows them to feel calmer and more relaxed. If your cat suffers from anxiety, consider looking for cat-specific music to help soothe them.
Classical Music
Like many animals, cats tend to enjoy most classical music. The soft sounds provide a relaxing atmosphere for cats. Other kinds of soft music, like instrumental or even certain kinds of jazz, can also create a calming effect for a nervous kitty. If you plan to leave music on when you leave the house, consider looking for something in this genre.
Nature Sounds
If you’ve ever watched your cat glued to the window to explore the world outside, it probably isn’t a surprise that nature sounds are pleasant for cats. Calming sounds that feature birds, the sound of wind, or even light rain can be helpful for keeping cats calm. Try to avoid anything with extra loud noises (like thunder) that could cause anxiety, and instead stick to quiet and soothing sounds.
Cats and Music to Avoid
While there are plenty of music options that are helpful for cats, there are also plenty of genres that can stress them out. When choosing music for cats, try to avoid:
- Anything with loud, abrupt sounds
- Rock music
- Heavy metal music
- Loud country music
- Rap music with a lot of different sounds
When it comes to providing premium care for the pets of Waterford and the surrounding areas, no one does it better than Union Lake Veterinary Hospital. From helpful pet topics like cats and music to exemplary veterinary services, we have what you need to give your pets the lives they deserve. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call (248) 363-1508.