So, youâve written the perfect song to honor your pet. Youâve found every word that rhymes with âFluffy,â workshopped the bridge, and sounded out a catchy tune to tie it all together. But do our pets really appreciate when we sing to them, or do these little songs we make up fall into the âmore for us than for themâ column of pet care?
If youâre convinced your dog pricks their ears up in excited anticipation when you sing or that your cat seems calmer when they hear that special tune, you might be right. Although the research on pets and singing is spotty, the information we do have indicates that our familiars do, at least, seem to appreciate a certain kind of music. If anything, we might want to tweak our original songs (or covers) to better suit their tastes. Hereâs what science says (and what it doesnât) about how pets process our personalized power ballads.
Ever find yourself belting out your favorite tune to your furry friend and wonder if they’re genuinely enjoying your musical talents or just tolerating you? You’re not alone! As a dog owner who regularly serenades my pup with everything from made-up songs to pop hits (with lyrics changed to include his name, of course), I’ve often wondered: do dogs like when you sing to them?
Let’s dig into what research and experts have to say about our canine companions’ musical preferences and whether your impromptu concerts are actually appreciated.
The Science Behind Dogs and Music
Dogs Can Actually Enjoy Music
Good news! Research confirms that dogs can indeed enjoy music However, just like humans, not all dogs enjoy the same types of music According to Charles Snowden, an animal psychologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, dogs have “species-specific” music tastes.
While we humans tend to enjoy music with tempos similar to our heart rate, dogs prefer music with:
- Tempos that match their own heart rates (slower for large breeds, faster for small breeds)
- Notes in registers similar to their own vocalizations (barks, whines, and yelps)
What Types of Music Do Dogs Prefer?
Dogs can be surprisingly discerning when it comes to their musical preferences Research by psychologist Deborah Wells at Queens University in Belfast found that dogs react differently to various music genres
- Classical music: Often has a calming effect on many dogs
- Heavy metal: Can be agitating or stressful for dogs
- Reggae and soft rock: Some studies suggest these genres might be particularly effective at soothing dogs
Interestingly, one study found that audiobooks sometimes performed even better than music at calming shelter dogs! And rotating between different music genres seems to provide the best results.
Do Dogs Like When You Sing to Them?
The Surprising Answer: Yes!
A study from the University of York found that speaking (or singing) in a sing-songy “baby talk” voice to your dog “can fulfill a dual function of improving attention and increasing social bonding.”
In other words, your potentially embarrassing “doggie speak” and singing actually makes your dog pay more attention to you and strengthens your bond. Whew!
Why Your Dog Might Like Your Singing
Zachary Silver, psychology professor and director of the Canine Intelligence Lab at Occidental College, explains that singing shares many properties with the “pet voice” we naturally use with our dogs. While we don’t know for sure if dogs appreciate melodies the way humans do, they are “more likely to pay attention to a human singing than they are to a human just speaking normally.”
Several reasons your dog might enjoy your singing:
- Familiar voice: They recognize and respond to their owner’s voice
- The “baby voice” effect: Dogs respond well to higher pitches that mimic how we talk to infants
- Bonding experience: Singing provides interaction and attention
- Emotional connection: Your happy singing voice signals positive emotions
Why Do Some Dogs Howl When You Sing?
Ever notice your dog joining in with a howl when you start singing? This behavior is actually rooted in their wolf ancestry. Wolves use howling to:
- Assemble the pack
- Assert their identities
- Communicate over long distances
When your dog howls during your singing, they’re not necessarily critiquing your vocal talents! Dogs have a sense of pitch and may howl at a different pitch to individualize themselves. According to the American Kennel Club, dogs often howl when they hear:
- Wind instruments
- Violins
- Humans holding long notes while singing
Rather than being offended by your dog’s howling response, consider it as them wanting to join in with the “pack” activity!
How to Tell If Your Dog Enjoys Your Singing
Since dogs can’t exactly tell us their musical preferences, we need to look for behavioral cues to determine if they’re enjoying our singing or would prefer us to stop:
Signs Your Dog Likes Your Singing:
- Attentive ears pointed toward you
- Relaxed body posture
- Tail wagging
- Moving closer to you
- “Happy smile” or relaxed mouth
- Staying in the room (not trying to escape!)
Signs Your Dog Doesn’t Like Your Singing:
- Leaving the room
- Flattened ears
- Tucked tail
- Panting or showing signs of stress
- Barking (not in a playful way)
- Hiding
Common Questions About Dogs and Singing
Will my dog get annoyed if I sing to them?
Some dogs might get annoyed if they’re not in the mood or if they prefer quiet. Pay attention to your dog’s body language to determine if they’re enjoying your performance or would rather you stop.
Can singing to my dog help with anxiety?
Yes! Singing to your dog can provide comfort and companionship, potentially helping with separation anxiety. Calm singing before leaving the house might create a more relaxing environment for your pup.
Does my dog judge my singing abilities?
Good news – dogs are non-judgmental creatures who love their owners unconditionally. They’re likely to enjoy your singing regardless of your vocal talents, as long as you’re giving them attention and affection.
How often should I sing to my dog?
There’s no set rule. You can incorporate singing into your daily routine as a bonding activity and for mental stimulation. Just be mindful of your dog’s reactions to determine the right amount.
Should I sing to my dog if they’re sleeping?
Probably not the best idea. It’s better to avoid disturbing your dog’s rest and save the serenading for when they’re awake and alert.
Tips for Singing to Your Dog
Want to make your singing more enjoyable for your furry friend? Try these tips:
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Pay attention to their reaction: If they seem stressed or try to leave, take the hint!
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Use a higher, melodic voice: Dogs often respond better to higher pitches and sing-song tones.
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Include their name: Personalize your songs by incorporating your dog’s name.
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Keep it positive: Use happy, upbeat tones since dogs are sensitive to emotions.
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Try different genres: Experiment to see what your dog responds to best.
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Combine singing with positive activities: Sing during playtime or before meals to create positive associations.
The Bottom Line
The good news is that most dogs do seem to enjoy when their owners sing to them! Your singing likely creates a positive bonding experience that your dog appreciates, even if they’re not necessarily evaluating your musical talents.
Remember that every dog is unique, with individual preferences and personalities. Some may love your singing sessions, while others might prefer quieter interactions. The key is to pay attention to your dog’s cues and adapt accordingly.
So go ahead and belt out those dog-themed parodies or croon those lullabies to your furry friend – chances are they’re enjoying the special attention from their favorite human. And if they do howl along? Consider it a doggy duet rather than a critique!
What about you? Does your dog have any funny reactions when you sing to them? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
Do dogs like music?
OK, so weâve gone over whether your dog likes the music you make (still up for debate), but do they like music in general? Silver notes that most rigorous, empirical research on canine cognition began only 25 to 30 years ago. Because of this, our science-based understanding of dogsâ inner workings is limited. But while the Beethovens of the dog world might be better known for their drool than for their dazzling compositions, studies do seem to indicate that your little genius can appreciate a good concerto.
Research suggestsopens in new tab that dogs have a sense of pitch and may behave differently when listening to one genre of music versus another. One 2012 studyopens in new tab, for instance, found that classical music seemed to calm shelter dogs more than pop or heavy metal based on physiological factors, like heart rate and cortisol levels found in saliva. Fascinatingly, however, audiobooks performed even better â so while your dog might prefer Chopin to Chappell Roan, War and Peace could be an even better choice of background noise to play at home while you run errands. Even more interesting, a more recent studyopens in new tab found that reggae and soft rock produced more profound effects than classical music and that rotating between genres helped boost results as well.
Do cats like it when you sing to them?
Although there isnât much research examining how cats feel about their parents singing, there is reason to believe that they can recognize when their parents are speaking to them.Â
A 2022 study opens in new tab found thatopens in new tab cats responded distinctly to the sound of their parents using cat-directed speech. They did not respond when their parents used adult-directed speech (in other words, when they used the voice they normally use when speaking with fellow human adults) or to strangers, regardless of which voice they used. The study also found that cats respond better to a baby voice, specifically. So, when you say, âHey, buddy, come get your dinnerâ in your cutesy voice, they pay attention.
That said, Silver notes that evolutionarily, cats never had the same incentive to form working relationships with human communities the way that dogs did â so cats are generally thought to pay less attention to human activities than dogs do. âDogs are significantly more likely to engage with human speech than cats,â Silver says. âSo, I think it is plausible that dogs also are more likely to have a preference toward music than cats.âÂ
Once again, however, Silver cautions that that idea is mere conjecture based on what we know about animalsâ relationships with speech. âTo really answer that question fully, we would need to do experiments that we deliberately look at dogs and cats responding to singing, in particular.â But for now, hereâs the takeaway: If your furry mob boss responds to your singing, they may just be responding to a vocalization that sounds like the baby voice you do. In other words, they may tune in because they think youâre going to feed or do something else that will please them immeasurably.