When it comes to our beloved four-legged friends, we all want them to be healthy and happy. Unfortunately, some dogs can suffer from anxiety caused by changes in their environment or due to a lack of stimulation. To help reduce their stress levels, many pet owners turn to music as a means of comfort.
In this article we will explore the ideal playlist that is designed to soothe anxious dogs. We will discuss how calming melodies can help to ease your pup's worries, as well as provide tips on how you can create the perfect playlist to suit your canine's needs.
How Can Music Help Reduce Anxiety in Dogs?
It has been scientifically proven that playing certain types of music can have a calming effect on both humans and animals alike. This is why music therapy has become increasingly popular with both professional and amateur dog trainers. Studies have shown that playing classical music or specially composed pieces with slow tempos and low frequencies can help to reduce stress levels in dogs.
For example, one study conducted by Dr. Joshua Leeds at The Institute for Neuroacoustic Research found that when exposed to “Fathom,” an acoustic piece composed by Leeds himself, dogs experienced an almost immediate reduction in barking, panting, and pacing associated with anxiety.
This same research also discovered that musical stimuli had the same effect on cats, leading to similar reductions in vocalization and agitation. So if you find yourself struggling to keep your furry friend calm during stressful situations, then it may be worth giving music a try.
Creating the Perfect Playlist
Now that we know what types of music can help to reduce stress in pets, let's look at how you can create the perfect playlist to effectively soothe your anxious pup. Here are a few things to consider:
- Choose songs with slower tempos and lower frequencies: As mentioned earlier, slower-paced songs with lower frequencies such as classical music or specially composed pieces like “Fathom” can have a very soothing effect on pets.
- Mix up genres: While instrumental tracks tend to work best for relaxation, you don't have to limit yourself to just one genre. Consider mixing up the playlist by adding some gentle folk tunes or even ambient electronic music.
- Keep it short: If you're playing the music during a stressful situation, then you should aim to keep the track list relatively short. Longer compositions may be too overwhelming for anxious pups, so aim for around five to seven songs per session.
Where to Find Calming Music for Dogs?
Fortunately, there are now several resources available online where you can download calming music specifically designed for dogs. For example, Meditation Galaxy offers a selection of relaxing sounds and music tailored specifically to help dogs manage their emotions, while Gravitatus provides a number of calming tracks inspired by nature to aid in pet stress reduction.
You can also find plenty of free sources of calming music for dogs, such as YouTube and SoundCloud. There are countless channels dedicated to providing pet owners with soothing soundtracks to help their furry friends relax, including those created by popular musicians like David Helpling and Hennie Bekker.
Using music to help reduce stress levels in dogs is becoming increasingly popular. Introducing a carefully crafted playlist of calming tunes can help to soothe anxious pups in times of distress, as studies have shown that certain types of music can have a positive effect on their behavior. By following the tips outlined above, you can create the perfect playlist to keep your pup relaxed and ensure they lead a happy, stress-free life.
