"Cat-lypso" Music – Does Music Mellow your Cat?

Articles on Cats | Topics: cats, cat, kitten, kitty

by Karita Atkinson

"Cat-lypso" Music – Does Music Mellow your Cat?

Much has been written about the power of music to sooth the soul, aid relaxation, and improves developmental brain functions. But did you know that music might also help soothe your frazzled kitty? Musicians and music publishers have even composed and released compilations of mood music, specifically designed to help mellow your favorite feline friend.

If you're skeptical as to what music can do to help mellow your cat, consider this: a cat's sense of hearing is remarkably sharper than human's. Research shows that cats have a much more expansive hearing range than humans, ranging between 45 to 64,000 Hz. Compare that with the average hearing range of a human, which are 23 to 64,000 Hz. Cats are particularly adept at sensing sounds at the low and high end of the spectrum. This may explain why cats are prone to their infamous "caterwauling" at the sound of discordant music or sounds.

Cat's ears are physiologically designed to capture a variety of sounds, even those that occur at a far distance. The design of their ear canals allows cats to receive and magnify sounds, even at a far away distance. Cats have been shown to be able to detect relatively quiet sounds at distances of up to 30 feet away.

Since cats have shown to have a very good sense of hearing, it makes sense that the right music can help mellow your cat. For instance, consider the sweet, slow strain of a violin featured in a classical composition. The sound is high enough to capture your cat's attention, and may prove to have a sedative effect on him or her.

But how do you know what kind of music to play for your cat? Some cats are incredibly expressive. Cat owners have told stories about pets who scurry out of the room at the sound of loud music or a blaring TV set. The best way to see what your cat prefers is to experiment. Try playing a soothing classical piece and see what happens. If you note no perceptible reaction, try experimenting with more upbeat jazz tempo pieces. Some animal behavior researchers claim that loud rock or heavy metal music can disrupt your pet's relaxation patterns.

Historical Quote

The surprise of animals... in and out, cats and dogs and a milk goat and chickens and guinea hens, all taken for granted, as if man was intended to live on terms of friendly intercourse with the rest of creation instead of huddling in isolation on the fourteenth floor of an apartment house in a city where animals occurred behind bars in the zoo.

—Elizabeth Janeway (b. 1913)

If you would like to promote your cat's relaxation, and are considering making an investment in your cat's sonic experience, you may want to consider purchasing one of several musical compilations designed specifically for your pet's listening appreciation. Professor Hermann Bubna-Littitz is an animal behaviorist at the Veterinary University of Vienna. He has studied the effects of music on cats and has asserted that fussy or nervous cats can benefit from a little mood music. He even put together a compilation of songs designed to mellow out your cat, titled Music for Cats and Friends.

According to Professor Bubna-Littitz, his research shows that cats specifically sought out the music speakers while the soothing songs were being played. The cats became notably relaxed, and aggressive tendencies became subdued. Included in Professor Bubna-Littitz's CD is electronically synthesized versions of popular tunes such as 'Endless Time,' 'Moonlight Walk,' 'Coming Home,' and appropriately enough, 'Memories,' from the popular Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, Cats.

Another popular song compilation aimed to keep your feline friend content and relaxed is Relaxation Music for Dogs and Cats. Relaxation Music for Dogs and Cats contains an hour of music designed to keep your dog relaxed at home, in the car, or when going to the vet. The music is described as an environmental soundscape, created through the use of synthesized orchestrations. The music on this compilation was scored specifically for the hearing ranges of dogs and cats.

If you or your cat grows tired of the synthesized classical tunes, you may want to experiment with another very popular song compilation. Music for Cats…and People Too! It is just what it sounds like. The songs were compiled to soothe both you and your kitty. This compilation includes a variety of musical styles, including ambient, classical, jazz, and includes natural sounds from the environment, as well. A variety of musical instruments were used, including saxophone, guitar, and keyboards. All 18 selections on Music for Cats…and People Too are original compositions that were written specifically for the hearing ranges of most cats.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the ""Cat-lypso" Music – Does Music Mellow your Cat?" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by DogsPetsCats.com.

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