As a devoted cat owner, I often find myself pondering the big questions in life. Questions like, “Why does my cat stare at me as if I’m a space alien?” or “Can cats actually enjoy music?”
It turns out that our feline friends may have more sophisticated tastes than we give them credit for. So, let’s dive into the melodious world of cat music and see how it affects our whiskered companions.
The Science of Sound and Cats
By the way, let’s start with some fascinating science! Cats have an extraordinary sense of hearing—much better than ours. They can detect sounds at frequencies as high as 64 kHz, while humans max out around 20 kHz.
This means that when you’re blasting your favorite tunes, your cat might be picking up on notes and tones that are completely lost to you. Isn’t that wild?
Interestingly enough, researchers have found that certain types of music can elicit different reactions from cats.
For example, classical music tends to calm them down, much like it does for us humans. On the other hand, loud rock or pop tunes might send them scurrying under the couch faster than you can say “catnip.” It makes you wonder: do they prefer Beethoven over Beyoncé?
Moreover, studies suggest that specially composed music for cats—tailored to their unique auditory range—can lead to positive behaviors like purring and relaxed postures.
Imagine a concert hall filled with cats swaying gently to soothing melodies! It’s almost too adorable to handle.
What Do Cats Prefer?
Let’s look at how cats respond to different styles of music. Many cats appear to enjoy being treated with tenderness and not being screamed at.
Imagine a standard cat curled up in a sunbeam listening to a nice piano sonata instead of a heavy metal guitarist screaming solos at the top of their lungs (which I am sure is not true for all cats).
To be fair, each cat is a unique being and a cat has its own character, just like humans. Some migh enjoy soft tunes played on a harp while others may respond well to low frequency ambient noise that somewhat resembles nature.
Ever notice your feline friend’s ears perk up at the sound of birds chirping outside? It’s because they are naturally made to love such sound!
Playing music works for some cats when it’s thunderous or at the veterinary clinic, sounds slightly ironic doesn’t it? If only my cat could listen to some smooth jazz while taking a bath! Now that is a pleasing thought.
Constructing a Musical Environment
We’ve seen that cats do listen to and enjoy music, so how do we make it the best experience for them? First off, play it at low volume because nobody wants a window jumped through.
Next, the fun part – choosing sonic representation for your pet. For the majority of cats, classical music or subtle instrumental tracks are a good idea.
There are even playlists available specifically for cats! Who knew Spotify had such uncommon extremes? You could host an awesome little party that features Mozart that only your cat would enjoy.
But notwithstanding this, don’t be a one trick pony. Just like how we humans get worn out from hearing the same song on repeat (Ever so glad that’s not True about you “Baby Shark.”), so too do our furry friends.
If there are new tracks or genres that your playlists don’t have, make sure to add them every now and then to keep it engaging!
Emotional Music
This use of music widely supports and unifies the bond that the pet and the owner hold. The owner could picture or imagine himself sitting down on the couch watching the television, a couple of hours after work, while a plush pet sits next to him as mellowing tunes fill the room, calmness scarcely gets better than this!
Cats are able to read emotions very easily, thus they’re adept at reading human emotions and moods. When we sing and play smooth tunes together with the cat Or when we effortlessly hum the tune, it facilitates calmness and companionship making us nurture our bond even more.
All in all, exchanging moments by sound shares not only enhances their life but also ours! Who would like to miss those blissful cuddling moments with their favorite pet while listening to pleasant tunes?
Suggested External Resources:
Music Therapy for Cats
https://www.musictherapy.org/music-therapy-for-cats/
How Music Affects Pets
https://www.petmd.com/news/health/how-music-affects-pets-40077
The Benefits of Music for Cats
https://www.cattime.com/cat-facts/36429-benefits-of-music-for-cats