Listening to certain songs can help soothe and calm you during stressful times. While research has documented the therapeutic effects of sound and music on the human brain, could listening to music calm dogs, too?
And if so, what type of music do dogs like? Is there a particular type of music, for example, that can help your dog be less stressed around loud noises like construction, thunderstorms, and fireworks, or just when they are home alone?
Ever come home to find your dog looking sad and bored? As a pet parent, I know that guilty feeling when you have to leave your furry friend home alone. But what if there was a simple way to make their alone time more comfortable? That’s where music comes in!
Dogs actually enjoy listening to certain types of music when they’re alone, and it can have some amazing benefits for their wellbeing. Let’s dive into why your pooch might appreciate some tunes while you’re away.
Do Dogs Actually Enjoy Music When Left Alone?
The short answer is Yes! Dogs generally like hearing soothing music when they’re by themselves
Music in the background helps them feel less isolated and can create a calming atmosphere in your home, Research shows that dogs respond positively to music with
- Repetitive patterns
- Slow, gentle sounds
- Steady tempos
- Constant harmony
- Ambient noise
These musical elements can change your dog’s mood and create a more tranquil environment while you’re away. In fact, many studies have confirmed that music influences behavioral and physical changes in dogs, improving their overall wellbeing.
Why Music Works for Dogs Left Alone
When we leave our dogs alone, they can experience a range of emotions, including:
- Loneliness
- Boredom
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Fear of strange noises
Music can help address these issues by providing a consistent, comforting background sound. It masks potentially frightening noises like thunderstorms, fireworks, or even just the neighbor’s lawn mower that might otherwise trigger anxiety.
5 Amazing Benefits of Playing Music for Your Dog
#1: Reduces Loneliness
Like us humans, dogs experience various emotions, including loneliness. When left alone, they might show:
- Depression
- Destructive behavior
- Unusual sleeping patterns
- Poor eating habits
- Disinterest in toys or activities
Playing your dog’s favorite playlist can help them feel more at ease while you’re gone. According to research, listening to music effectively reduces stress in both humans and dogs. Dr. Ann Hohenhaus has confirmed that our four-legged friends enjoy the same therapeutic benefits from music that we do.
#2: Increases Social Interactions
Believe it or not, music can improve your dog’s social skills! Dogs interact with others using their scent, posture, vocalizations, and body language. Music relates to these social bonds because it has structure and acoustics similar to language.
When dogs are stress-free, their brains release “feel-good hormones” like:
- Oxytocin
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
- Endorphins
Music helps increase these positive hormones, leading to a more relaxed and social dog, even when you return home.
#3: Heightens Empathy
While you might think dogs can’t experience complex emotions, research shows they can match our emotional behaviors through “emotional contagion.” This means they pick up on how we feel about certain things.
If you seem to love listening to Bon Jovi, your dog might associate those songs with positive feelings too! Playing music they’re familiar with can help them feel connected to you even when you’re not there.
#4: Modifies Mood and Emotions
Different types of music create different emotional reactions in dogs:
- Loud, chaotic music can trigger anxiety and fear
- Soft, gentle music tends to be relaxing and soothing
If listening to classical pieces is part of your daily routine with your dog, playing Mozart when you leave won’t feel strange to them. They’ll associate it with normal, happy times rather than your departure.
#5: Stimulates Mental Health
Music has been proven to benefit dogs’ overall wellbeing, promoting:
- Better quality sleep
- Reduced anxiety
- Masking of frightening sounds
Since dogs have super sensitive hearing, they can be disturbed by sounds we might not even notice. Playing background music helps cover these anxiety-causing noises and creates a more peaceful environment.
What Kind of Music Do Dogs Prefer?
Not all music is created equal when it comes to canine preferences! Studies have shown that dogs respond best to certain genres:
Best Music Genres for Dogs
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Classical Music – The clear winner! Studies have shown that dogs who listen to classical music display fewer stress behaviors like barking, panting, and pacing. The slower tempo, lower pitch, and fewer dynamic changes have a calming effect on their nervous system.
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Reggae – This genre has a similar tempo and rhythm to classical music, but its distinctive sound can have an effective impact on dogs. Research from the University of Glasgow found that dogs who listened to reggae music showed decreased stress behaviors.
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Soft Rock – Another great choice! Research published by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found that playing soft rock music had a calming effect on shelter dogs, significantly decreasing stress-related behaviors like barking and pacing.
What to Avoid
Heavy metal, hard rock, and music with sudden dynamic changes tend to make dogs more anxious rather than relaxed. These types of music can actually increase stress-related behaviors in dogs.
Tips for Using Music to Calm Your Dog When Alone
Ready to create a playlist for your pooch? Here are some practical tips:
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Create a calming playlist – Make a collection of classical, reggae, or soft rock songs that your dog can listen to when you’re away.
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Start the music before leaving – Play calming music about 30 minutes before you leave the house. This helps your dog associate the music with relaxation rather than your departure.
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Keep the volume appropriate – Make sure the music isn’t too loud! Keep the volume lower than 85 decibels (about the noise level of a hair dryer) to protect your dog’s sensitive hearing.
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Be consistent – Play the music every time you leave to create a routine and sense of familiarity for your dog.
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Consider combining with scents – Some pet parents find that using calming scents like lavender along with music creates an even more relaxing environment.
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Observe your dog’s preferences – Pay attention to how your dog responds to different types of music and adjust your playlist accordingly.
What Veterinarians Think About Music for Dogs
The good news is that veterinary professionals widely support using music to help dogs with anxiety and stress. Many veterinary clinics now play classical music in their waiting rooms and treatment areas because it helps keep dogs calmer during visits.
Studies have shown that in high-stress environments like animal hospitals, music can help relax canine patients. Hospitalized dogs often show calmer behavior when classical music is playing during their treatment.
Can Music Cure Separation Anxiety?
While music is beneficial, it’s important to understand its limitations. For dogs with true separation anxiety (which can manifest as excessive barking, destructive chewing, inappropriate elimination, and escape attempts), music alone isn’t a complete solution.
According to experts, music should be part of a comprehensive approach that might include:
- Behavioral training
- Desensitization techniques
- Possibly medication for severe cases
- Proper exercise before you leave
- Brain games and puzzle toys
If your dog shows signs of severe separation anxiety, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian or a certified dog behaviorist for guidance.
How Long Can Dogs Safely Stay Home Alone?
Even with music playing, there are limits to how long dogs should be left alone:
| Dog’s Age | Maximum Time Alone |
|---|---|
| Puppies under 5 months | Should not be left alone for long periods |
| 5-18 month adolescent dogs | Gradually build up to 4 hours |
| Adult dogs (18+ months) | Up to 4 hours during the day |
Remember that every dog is different! Some breeds are more independent, while others need more companionship. A dog’s breed impacts their sociability, fearfulness, and how well they handle being alone.
Final Thoughts
Music isn’t a magic solution that will fix all your dog’s alone-time issues, but it can definitely help create a more comfortable environment while you’re away. By choosing the right type of music and following the tips above, you can help your furry friend feel more relaxed and less lonely when left alone.
I’ve tried this with my own dog, and the difference in his behavior when I return home is noticeable! He’s calmer, less clingy, and doesn’t greet me with that frantic “I thought you’d never come back!” energy.
Have you tried playing music for your dog when you leave? What songs seem to work best for your furry friend? We’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
Is There Music Made to Soothe Dogs?
Here are some options for relaxing music for dogs:
- Follow Preventive Vet on Spotify for different pet-friendly playlists.
- Try the Pet Acoustics® Pet Tunes calming music dog speaker, which features 90 minutes of calming sounds for dogs.
- Canine Lullabies and Through a Dog’s Ear are both popular recordings.
- Do a search on YouTube for the top relaxing dog music videos.
- There are also apps devoted to calming music for dogs.
Some music is produced specifically for dogs and has frequencies that dogs, and not humans, can hear.
While each dog may have their own music preferences, the tempo, length of the musical notes, simplicity of tones, and regular rhythms are the most important calming qualities.
What Types of Music Are Calming for Dogs?
A 2002 study conducted by animal behaviorist Dr. Deborah Wells confirmed the relaxing effect on dogs of classical music. In this study, the dogs spent more time resting and being quiet, and less time standing when exposed to classical music compared to heavy metal music, pop music, or conversation.
In 2005, Dr. Susan Wagner, a board-certified veterinary neurologist, found that solo piano music created according to psychoacoustic principles—with slower tempos and simple arrangements and sounds—was more effective in reducing anxietythan popular classic music. While both calmed the dogs in the study enough to make them lie down, the solo piano was even more effective.
A later study done in 2012 by Dr. Lori Kogan from Colorado State College of Veterinary Medicine also investigated the effects of classical music, heavy metal, and specifically designed music on 117 dogs in a kennel environment. She found that while listening to classical music, the dogs spent more time sleeping and less time vocalizing than when listening to other music or no music.
More recently, a study done in 2017 showed that soft rock and reggae, especially, led to more relaxed behaviors and increased heart rate variability, which indicates less stress.
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FAQ
Do dogs like music?
There have been plenty of people studying this over the years, and the truth of the matter is that dogs do like certain types of music. But while music certainly affects their mood, it doesn’t do so in the same way that it affects us, as they’re entirely different creatures. That said, there are a few genres that they seem to prefer.
Can music help a dog overcome loneliness?
By stimulating their brain in a positive way, music can help alleviate loneliness and make their time alone more enjoyable. Just like humans, dogs require mental stimulation to lead fulfilling lives. Leaving them alone with no mental engagement can lead to boredom and behavioral issues.
What happens if a dog listens to music?
Dogs who listene to loud, chaotic music like grunge or heavy metal displayed signs of agitation, stress, exhaustion, and anxiety. Exposing your dog too long periods of music that causes him stress and anxiety can have a harmful effect on him and even cause aggression and depression.
Does music make a dog agitated?
Studies have shown that dogs typically calm down when listening to classical music, while louder music like hard rock can make them agitated or anxious. 1 Remember that it’s not about personal preference; your dog responds to the beat and tempo of the music, and they don’t necessarily care about the rifts or vocals.
Does music affect dogs?
Research has shown that specific types of music can have a positive effect on dogs. The right music engages their auditory senses and can help reduce their stress levels. When dogs listen to music that they find enjoyable, it releases dopamine in their brains, which is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.
Should I Leave my Dog in silence if music comes on?
It is worth noting, though, that this effect might eventually be lost if your dog becomes desensitized to the music. Also, if you decide to leave the music on shuffle and loud rock-n-roll songs come on, you could be making them anxious, meaning it would be better to leave them in silence.
Do dogs like music when you leave?
Yes, they do. A study conducted by the University of Glasgow revealed that dogs like music, especially soft rock and reggae help to keep them calm. Music can lead to dogs having lower levels of stress hormone.
Do dogs prefer music over silence?
Research exploring how dogs feel about music remains limited, but some evidence suggests classical music can help calm some dogs. Experts found that dogs spent more time resting and sleeping and less time vocalizing when classical music played in the background.
How long does 1 hour feel to a dog?
Can I leave music on for my dog all day?
Rather than just turning them on just before a fearful experience, play music all day. If you only have it on before you leave or fireworks then it will be a trigger of anxiety. Play it when your pet rests and then it becomes the comforter.