Dog Music: Music to Soothe Your Pooch

by Kate Barrington

Published: January 28th, 2019

What’s the soundtrack to your dog’s life? If your dog is anxious, there’s benefits to playing music. Turn on the dog music and let your pooch chill out.

Nothing is more soothing at the end of a long day than relaxing with your favorite music playing in the background. A good song can change your mood and your perspective, taking you from feeling stressed and overwhelmed to calm and at-peace. Not only is music great for your own stress levels, but it can be good for your dog as well! Keep reading to learn more about music to soothe your dog.

Related: How Pets Help with Depression

What Kind of Music Do Dogs Like?

If you listen to music a lot, you may notice that your dog reacts to it from time to time. Dogs have much more sensitive hearing than humans, so it only makes sense that they might respond to music. What you may not realize, however, is that a specific type of music actually has the power to soothe your dog. American singer, songwriter, and rapper Garrett Charles Nash recently made an effort to create music specifically designed to calm dogs. Gnash (his stage name) started the project to help his poodle Daisy who had trouble with anxiety and anger but for whom mediation didn’t work.

Through the process of trial and error, Gnash tested different types of music to see how Daisy responded. He started with reggae and fiddled around with different styles and arrangements. Eventually, he came to discover a few particular elements that seemed to provide a soothing effect:

Simple arrangements
Repetitive themes
Lower frequencies
Slow speed (40 to 60 bpm)

By piecing together the results of his trial and error experiment, Gnash developed a piece of music he titled, “Song for Daisy.” The piece spans over 15 minutes and it utilizes the elements listed above. It features a simple arrangement with repetitive themes and the frequency is low which has been shown to calm the canine nervous system. The speed is also slower, about 40 to 60 beats per minute which helps slow the dog’s heart rate for a calming effect.

Tips for Soothing Your Dog with Dog Music

Not only has “Song for Daisy” helped Gnash’s own dog, but it has inspired other organizations to use music to sooth pets. Rescue organizations, for example, have begun to use music to help keep dogs calm. The calmer the dogs, the quieter and less stressful the environment becomes on the whole. Not only are the dogs calmer, but visitors tend to stay longer, and adoptions rates increase as a result.

Here are some simple ways to use music to soothe your own dog:

Place a small stereo or boombox near your dog’s crate or playpen when he is home alone to keep him calm.
Play a soothing music station on your television or stereo during the day to prevent your dog from becoming overexcited.
When you are anticipating a stressful event for your dog (such as strangers coming to the house), play soothing music to help keep him calm.
Use a rotation of different types of soothing music to make sure that the calming effects last.

Music has the power to make you feel things in a way that nothing else can. If you’re looking for a simple and effective way to help your dog with anxiety issues, music could be the solution!

Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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Music to soothe the anxious beast… for when your dog is home alone. Research has already shown that classical music is calming for dogs. Now, a Grammy-winning musician is teaming up with a new dog-centric TV channel in the hopes that they can create a soothing home-alone experience for latchkey pooches. We all hate leaving our canine companions home alone. If we could bring our dogs to work every day here at the PetGuide offices, believe us, we would. You can also believe us when we say that no computer cable would go un-chewed and no co-workers’ lunch would go un-snatched (from right off their desks) if our pooches had their way. So alas, they stay at home while we’re working, as most doggies do. But still — don’t you wish there was a way to keep them happy and calm until you get home? With 12 million dogs in America suffering from separation anxiety, we sure do! Related: How To Handle Separation Anxiety Well, that’s exactly what DogTV, a new channel specifically targeted to dogs, is hoping to accomplish. DogTV has also found an unlikely partner in Andrew Dost, pianist for the Grammy award-winning band FUN (“We Are Young”). Dost has signed on to compose music for the dogs who tune into programming on DogTV, with an aim towards creating relaxing tunes to sooth your pup while you’re gone. The songs, which incorporate actual dog panting noises and the sound of pooches running through snow, have a classical, mostly keyboard-based (with a little harp and vibraphone thrown in for good measure) sound to them. DogTV even researched and produced guidelines for Dost so he’d know how to compose dog-friendly tunes. Having listened to the songs ourselves, we’ve gotta say: They’re pretty darned relaxing. In fact, we’re feeling … very … sleepy… Uhhh, just kidding — we think. But if you’re having trouble falling asleep at night, this might just be a good place to start. To learn more about DogTV and the creative process behind Dost’s songs for pooches, check out the story from ABC News below.

Spotify’s New Pet Playlists Stream Tail-Wagging Music

Spotify has released a new study that suggests pet parents think there is a connection between their pets and music. And, to celebrate that connection, Spotify has released a new Pet Playlist created just for you and your pet. They say music soothes the savage beast, and Spotify released a study that shows a majority of pet-owners believe music is important to their pets’ quality of life too. Their online survey found that 73% of U.S. pet owners play music for their pets. Additionally, 8 in 10 pet parents believe that their pets like music. Most surveyed believe that music can help their pets be happier and relieve stress as well as to keep them company when they’re gone.

Tricks of the Trade: Fear-Free Veterinary Strategies

A trip to the vet? No thank you! If your dog hates going to see the veterinarian, there are things you can do to ensure a less stressful visit. Kids learn about “stranger danger” when they’re young and similarly, our pets learn early on that those people in white coats that speak a language they don’t understand and then poke, prod and sometimes hurt them, are something they want to avoid. And while my cats couldn’t give a toss about the actual check-up, they run for cover each time the dreaded carrier is brought up from the basement. Of course, once in the car, the deep howling takes place along with stress-messing that leaves me apologizing to the vet as we attempt to extract a stinky kitty from an enclosure that she now deems her safe space. (More on what we can do to help de-stress our pets prior to leaving home, is included below.) 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But while you’ll see that many of these steps are easy to do and relatively inexpensive to put in place, not all clinics offer this type of support service. In fact, a Fear Free certified veterinary clinic will have had to complete 9 hours of related education with testing and annual updates via a continuing education program. So, you can rest assured that those handling your pet will always be on top of the latest research and calming techniques. Now, you’ll be wondering what some of these strategies are so here are just a few: Non-slip floor surfaces. That, or well-placed entry mats so your pet doesn’t do the splits the moment he enters the clinic. This is particularly important if you have a pooch that tends to tug and pull when on his lead. When he falls, he feels out of control and this is an instant stressor for dogs – particularly when in unfamiliar surroundings.Pheromones. These pleasing aromas (typically plug-ins) can help to neutralize the many scents your pet is picking up as soon as he walks through the clinic door. From the stress of other animals to antiseptics and various cleaning solutions. Any of these smells can cause your pet to become highly reactive as he tries to make sense of it all.Calming music. Dogs yipping in the back and cats howling from their carriers can cause unnecessary anxiety for your pet. Calming music that is specifically suited – and sometimes even created – for animals can be instantly soothing. Sounds such as a piano, cello or any single instrument that delivers a soft, lower tone will prove particularly relaxing.Distractions during the examination process can go a long way in accomplishing the task at hand and prevent undue stress on your pet. I’ve never met a dog that won’t respond positively to a treat or maybe a little brushing behind the ears or along his favorite spot. It’s all about creating more positive than negative moments during your pet’s visit. Related: Dog Music: Music to Soothe Your Pooch And here are some tips for pet owners to help make the journey to the vet, more enjoyable. Ensure your pet is hungry when you head out for his visit to the vet. No brekkie in the morning means that when you arrive at the clinic and he is handed his favorite treat (either by you or the vet), he’s connecting the visit with something positive and, dare I say, something he can look forward to?If on arrival you have to wait, why not have your pet stay in the car (temperatures permitting) or ask to sit in the examination room with him so that unfamiliar stimuli are no longer present. For me, it also allows me a little one-on-one time with my pet to help reassure her that she’s safe as she sniffs and explores.Space permitting, it can be a good idea to leave your pet carrier out for them to enjoy year-round. Especially felines, who consider it a safe, cozy place where they can snooze and watch the world go by. By making it available to them for pleasant past-times, you eliminate the negative association when it is suddenly appears from storage.If your pet has to stay over night or for a longer period of time where you won’t be present, be sure to bring along his favorite blanket or even an unwashed t-shirt you have recently worn. His superior sense of smell will pick up on your scent and this will deliver that comforting, familiar smell of home that helps him feel safe. For my crew, the veterinarian kisses the top of their head just prior to picking them up and taking them away for blood-work or x-rays. He does this for any procedure that will take them out of my sight (or me, from their sight). This simple gesture seems to bring them great comfort as they willingly disappear to places behind closed doors. My super-skittish Schnoodle – who was shaking uncontrollably while she sat on the examination table – was relaxed and wagging her tail on return from having tests done. Go figure. Does your vet use fear-free practices when interacting with your pet? If not, it may be time to shop around.

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Survey Finds America’s Most Dog-Friendly Cities, You May Be Surprise

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Cat Chattering: What Is It and What Does It Mean?

Cats communicate with each other and their humans in a variety of ways through vocalizations and body language. While you may be able to figure out what your cat is saying when they meow or hiss, you might be at a loss for an explanation when you see them chatter for the first time, especially if you’ve never seen cats do this before.What does it mean when cats chatter? Check out the information below to learn all about it so you’ll be able to figure out what your kitty is thinking and feeling the next time you see them exhibit this odd behavior.What Is Chattering in Cats?Chattering usually happens when a kitty sees something that they want to get their paws on. Many times, they’ll be looking out the window when a prey animal, like a chipmunk or bird, comes into view. Or, if your kitty spends time in a catio or outdoor enclosure, they might start chattering when they see small wildlife. As soon as your cat sees their intended prey, they may be ready to go on the hunt, and might express this feeling by chattering.This behavior doesn’t only happen when your kitty sees wildlife, though. It can also happen when you’re using a toy to play with them. The movement of the toy can get them excited and ready to pounce on their “prey,” and they might chatter as a result.Once you know what cat chattering looks like, you’ll be able to recognize it right away. But if you’ve never seen it before, it can be described simply as your cat making quick movements with their jaw, showing their teeth while staring intently at their target. Sometimes, no sounds will come out, but other times, they’ll make chirping sounds or even little meows. Some people even describe chattering as “ekekek”.To see what it looks like, here’s a compilation of cats chattering:

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The Latest Pet Industry Trends from Global Pet Expo 2024

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Once-Abused Dog Celebrates First Christmas With Vet Who Saved Him

A puppy who survived a terrible beating has celebrated his ‘first proper’ Christmas with a veterinarian nurse who provided a loving furever home for him.A whippet named Terry was only 12 weeks old when he was viciously attacked by his owner and left with severe trauma injuries after he urinated inside. The injured pup was taken to the Hull PDSA Animal Hospital in East Yorks, England, where he was treated by the veterinary nurse Rachel Coombes. During the initial exam, the hospital’s staff discovered that Terry had a bruised eye and lips. The pup was also missing three of his upper incisors, and another tooth was broken.For nurse Coombes, this was love at first sight! She told her colleagues that if Terry survived, she would adopt him, and that’s exactly what she did.Although Terry celebrated Christmas with Rachel and her son Stanley last year, this year was their ‘first proper’ Christmas together since Terry is now fully settled in with the family.“I just felt a connection as soon as he was brought in as he was in such a state we actually thought initially that he hadn’t made it,” said nurse Rachel according to Talker. “Then when we spotted gentle breathing I did say ‘if he survives this I’m going to give him home’ which is exactly what I did.”From that moment on, Terry’s life changed completely! “He hasn’t looked back since - he loves life and is having the best of life right now.” According to his new owner, Terry likes to run around the garden and enjoys going to the beach. The pooch has also formed a strong bond with Rachel’s son, Stanley, and is always by his side. “Last year, we got him around Christmas, but it was such a hectic time for him, and he was learning to settle then.” But this year, the family planned a festive celebration for Terry and did everything to make him feel special during the holiday season. Due to the suspicious nature of Terry’s injuries, RSPCA Inspector Laura Barber was asked to investigate. The inspector said that despite the severity of his injuries and his overall state, Terry had put his head on her and was so trusting. “He was in such a sad state and was really quiet and withdrawn when he was with people. He was so lovable, and it is great to see he has a home he deserves with such a lovely family.”“I know Terry will have the best first proper Christmas with his lovely new family and one he thoroughly deserves,” the inspector added. Terry’s extensive injuries were enough to build a case against his former owner. After appearing in court and admitting to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog, the person was handed a five-year ban on keeping animals. Emily Lomas, an animal care assistant at RSPCA’s Hull branch, said she was thrilled when she learned that Rachel had adopted Terry. “He was very traumatized and overwhelmed when he came to us, we had to really show him there was nothing to be scared of and that he was now safe. We took him to the socialization room, and I remember him falling asleep on my legs,” said Lomas.“We were all thrilled when he was adopted and knew he was going to a special home,” she added.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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Are you the next champion kitten cuddler? Because ACANA™ is looking for one! Their latest campaign is aimed at supporting  cat shelters, which can be overwhelmed with newborn kittens during increased birth rates amongst cats. In a bid to help, ACANA™ will help both shelters and kittens in the critical stages – from arrival to adoption. ACANA™, the pet food specialists, are preparing for the upcoming “kitten season”, attempting to increase public awareness of just how much work shelters could have during this time. In their latest effort, not only will they be donating cat food to the shelters, but they will also be offering $10,000 to one lucky cat lover to do nothing more but cuddle with kittens at a  Best Friends Animal Society center. They do this in hopes of encouraging others to volunteer as “kitten cuddlers”. Hopefully, their efforts will lead to increased adoptions of kittens, and completely eliminate the killing of unadopted cats and dogs in America, a goal to which Best Friends Animal Society is wholly dedicated to. And now, the help is needed the most. The so-called “ kitten season” spans from May to November, and it is the time of the year when female cats have most of their kittens. During this period, many animal shelters report a great influx of kittens that need care and adoption. It goes without saying that caring for a large number of gentle and fragile kitties is a labor-consuming and very challenging job. A shelter’s resources and staff can be very strained in this period, so all the help they can get is more than welcome. The ACANA™ pet food team is well aware of this and is donating 5,000 cases of wet kitten food in Apri. This is equivalent to about $250,000 at retail prices and comes to roughly 120,000 meals for kittens. Not only this, but the team also encourages everyone to volunteer at their local shelters and help with the many tasks surrounding kitten care. And a very important task is, of course, cuddling! Kitties are fragile and require constant care and all the love and warmth they can get. It is because of this need that ACANA™ will reward one person with $10,000 to cuddle kittens! The lucky winner will spend half a day at a Best Friends Animal Society lifesaving center, or a chosen network partner shelter this June. For their cuddling efforts, they will receive $10,000. "We believe in the total well-being of cats," said Billy Frey, Vice President, Marketing for Champion Petfoods. "ACANA™ pet food helps cats thrive through every stage of life, and a cat's earliest days set the tone for everything that follows. This program demonstrates our commitment to taking care of both the emotional and nutritional needs of kittens."The rules of the contest are straightforward. The prospective kitten cuddlers must be U.S. residents, and aged 18 or over. Needless to say, they must love kittens and have four hours available over one weekend in June 2024. Easy, yes? Additionally, contestants must pass a background check and cannot be in a partnership with a competing pet food brand. For a chance to be selected, you can enter the contest between March 27th through April 10th, 2024. Cuddlers, good luck!

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World’s Oldest Dog Posthumously Stripped of His Title

Last year, the world’s oldest dog was thought to be Bobi – who was reportedly  31 years old. However, a recent investigation into this claim led to him being posthumously stripped of the title by none other than Guinness World Records. The lofty title was suspended this January, as doubts rose about the dog’s reported age. Bobi lived in Portugal and sadly passed away last fall, and according to his owner, at a grand age of 31 years. However, a recent review by Guinness World Records revealed that they didn’t have the necessary evidence to support that claim."Without any conclusive evidence available to us right now, we simply can't retain Bobi as the record holder and honestly claim to maintain the high standards we set ourselves," Guinness Director of Records Mark McKinley said. "Of course, as with any record, we'll gladly assess any new evidence should we receive any."Before Guinness World Records actually grants a world record, they require ample evidence of a claim. Pictures, videos, statements from witnesses, documents, and anything similar are all required. And when pets are concerned, microchip data can also be examined. "Central to Bobi's evidence was microchip data sourced from the Portuguese government database, the SIAC, which it transpires, when chipped in 2022, did not require proof of age for dogs born before 2008," McKinley said. "With the additional veterinary statement provided as evidence for Bobi's age also citing this microchip data, we're left with no conclusive evidence which can definitively prove Bobi's date of birth."So, who is the real oldest dog in the world? Well, before Bobi’s lofty claim, there was the famous Bluey, an Australian cattle dog who held the record, being 29 years and 5 months old. But with these recent events, the future of this record will certainly change. McKinley claims that microchips need to be widely adopted around the world for serious claims to be made."Until that time, we'll require documentary evidence for all years of a pet's life, we'll continue to ask for vet and witness statements and we'll also consider microchip data as well where available," he added. "It's for this reason that we're not yet in a position to confirm a new holder for the record, although we certainly hope that the publicity around the record title encourages pet owners from around the world to get in touch."Sadly, Bobi died in October 2023, just months after celebrating what was reportedly his 31st birthday. He was a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a native Portuguese dog breed that is known for its ability to protect livestock. These magnificent dogs have an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, and it was thought that Bobbi managed to live twice the time expected – but we’ll never know if that’s actually true or not.

New Bill Will Eliminate Housing Barriers for Pet Owners In California

California tenants with pets rejoice - a new bill that stops landlords from denying housing to pet owners is in the works!The chair of the California Legislative Renters Caucus, Matt Haney, has introduced legislation that would compel landlords to accept tenants with pets. The bill, AB 2216, will insist that landlords have reasonable reason(s) for not allowing a pet in the rental unit. The biggest change, however, is that the bill prevents property owners from asking about pet ownership before the tenant’s application has been approved.The new bill, which is sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, aims to solve a big problem in the rental world - a surplus of tenants with pets and a lack of landlords willing to rent to them.California has one of the highest number of tenants in the country, and close to 70% of them are pet owners. Alas, under current law, only around 30% of all rentals are pet-friendly. The lack of pet-friendly housing is causing almost a million tenants to keep pets in their rentals hidden from their landlords. This solves nothing. On one hand, landlords are left without adequate coverage for potential damages. On the other hand, pet owners are left living in constant fear of being kicked out of their homes. Andrea Amavisca, a senior legislative advocate at the California Immigration Policy Center, told the LA Times that she and her partner spent over a month looking for a two-bedroom rental in Sacramento that would allow for a small cattle dog mix.“Landlords that initially liked our application would suddenly stop answering our calls once they found out we had a dog. Or others would require a pet deposit close to $1,000 that would put the unit totally out of our budget.”Amavisca added it felt unfair that almost every landlord had a different pet policy with varying fees they could change as they pleased. Some landlords charged only $20 a month while others asked for four-figure cleaning deposits. The new bill doesn’t address fees and doesn’t prevent landlords from excluding certain types of pets. Haney’s legislation defines a common household pet as a domesticated animal, such as a cat or dog, that is kept in the home for pleasure rather than commercial uses. While pet owners are relieved to hear about the legislation, property owners are already expressing their concerns. The biggest issue is that landlords will be forced to take on pets, and the increased risk of potential property damage that comes with pets, without a pet deposit as a safeguard. Haney explained that exceptions would be made for landlords with reasonable excuses for not allowing pets on their property. “What we see too often is just these blanket prohibitions of pets with no good reason for it, with no required justification for it and no protection of pet owners, who represent the majority of California’s renters, to be able to access housing just like anyone else,” said Haney.According to Jenny Berg, California director for the Humane Society of the United States, extra fees and bans add to the overcrowding crisis in animal shelters nationwide. “One of the reasons why people relinquish their pets is because they can’t find affordable housing or housing at all that can accommodate their pets,” she said. Haney’s bill could make a massive change, as it would remove the barriers tenants face when looking for housing for them and their four-legged companions.“We want a renter to be considered first and decision made about whether they meet the requirements for the apartment,” said Haney. “And then, after that fact, they disclose that they have a pet. And only if there’s a reasonable rationale to deny them, that would be allowed.” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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