A growing body of scientific research and real-world evidence suggests that classical and specially designed instrumental music can help reduce anxiety and stress in household pets.
The potential benefits of sound therapy are illustrated by Serenity Strull, a photo editor at the BBC, who rescued Margot, a three-year-old pitbull mix suffering from severe separation anxiety.
The shelter described Margot as “shy and good with kids, but nervous and unsure about other dogs”. Medication with Prozac was discontinued after it caused seizures. Strull then consulted trainers and doctors and tried several calming techniques, but none proved effective, reports BBC.
She eventually began playing classical or instrumental music without intense percussion. Neighbours who had previously complained about Margot barking when left alone reported that the noise had stopped. Security camera footage also showed Margot peacefully sleeping while Strull was away, even until 4am, with music by Brahms or Beethoven playing.
Strull later turned to Through a Dog’s Ear, a collection of slow-tempo compositions consisting predominantly of piano music and designed to reduce stress in dogs.
The series was created by psychoacoustic expert Joshua Leeds and Dr Susan Wagner, a veterinary neurologist. Their music was tested on more than 150 dogs in private homes and kennels. They found that more than 70 per cent of dogs in kennels and 80 per cent of dogs in homes showed fewer signs of anxiety, including pacing, trembling and panting, after listening to predominantly piano music.
Research at Queen’s University Belfast has also provided evidence of the calming effects of music on dogs.
A study examining the effects of classical music, audiobooks and silence on dogs in kennels and homes found that classical music had a notable calming effect during “acutely stressful situations”, including veterinary visits and long car journeys.
Deborah Wells, an animal behaviour researcher at Queen’s University Belfast and co-author of the study, said slow-tempo compositions of 50–60 beats per minute or fewer, with simple structures and minimal percussion, can reduce cortisol levels in dogs. Cortisol is a hormone associated with stress.
Wells explained that the genre appears to have an inherently relaxing effect and may trigger the release of chemicals associated with a pleasurable state of mind.
Her research has also examined the impact of classical music on zoo animals, including elephants and gorillas. The studies found welfare benefits, with animals spending less time displaying stereotypic behaviour or aggression. They also showed improved eating and sleeping patterns, stronger immune systems and enhanced fertility.
The potential effect of music on animals is also linked to their hearing abilities. Dogs can hear frequencies of up to 65,000 Hz, around three times the upper range of human hearing. This allows them to detect higher-pitched and more distant sounds.
Cats can detect frequencies of up to 79,000 Hz, which may help explain their reactions to sudden everyday noises such as car horns and the crinkling of tin foil.
Research has also examined how different types of music affect cats. In one sedation study involving 12 cats undergoing neutering, researchers played three tracks through headphones: Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn, Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings and AC/DC’s Thunderstruck.
Barber’s Adagio for Strings produced the slowest breathing rate, the lowest heart rate and the greatest pupil dilation among the three selections, all physiological indicators associated with a calming response.
Another study involving 35 hospitalised cats found that instrumental music featuring piano, flute and strings reduced respiratory rates, provided extremely high or low frequencies were avoided.
Classical music is not the only genre that may have a calming effect on animals. Reggae and soft rock with simple rhythms, slower tempos and no heavy percussion have also been found to relax dogs in shelters.
Audiobooks, however, have shown little benefit. A 2022 study co-authored by Wells involving 60 dogs found that audiobooks had little to no calming effect during short periods when owners were away. Instead of settling down, the dogs tended to stare at the speaker.
Sound behaviourist and composer Janet Marlow has also developed music specifically for the auditory biology of dogs, cats, horses and other species. Her Pet Acoustics catalogue covers multiple genres and is designed by removing potentially agitating frequencies while adjusting harmonics and tempos. The catalogue is backed by peer-reviewed studies.
Experts caution that the effects of music can vary from one animal to another. Most studies remain small in scale, cover relatively short periods and have focused mainly on animals in shelters or hospitals.
Still, pet owners can use trial and error to identify what works for their animals, whether through Through a Dog’s Ear, Marlow’s compositions or a carefully selected classical playlist.
