While there are several ways to help ease these feelings in your furry friend, one lesser-known method that has shown positive results is music.

As humans, we know how music can brighten our day, calm us down, or even take us back to a certain memory.

So, when I discovered that music can have a similar effect on dogs and cats, I was pretty intrigued.

In this article, we will explore what type of music can help your dog relax and feel at ease.

What Kind Of Music Do Dogs Like?

When we think of calming music, we often think of what helps us relax, but this doesn't necessarily work for animals.

Dogs have different brain structures than we do, so what appeals to them may be different from what we enjoy.

Also, keep in mind that their hearing is much sharper than ours, meaning certain high-pitched sounds might not be enjoyable for them.

According to research, many shelter dogs seem to respond positively to soft rock, reggae, and classical music.[1]

However, playing loud genres like hard rock can increase their anxiety or stress, so it's best to avoid it.

It's important to remember that dogs can get bored if they listen to the same music over and over.

To avoid this, be sure to change up the tunes from time to time to keep them engaged and relaxed.

How Music Affects Older Dogs

When it comes to senior dogs, things are a bit different. Some older dogs experience hearing loss, which makes them more sensitive to certain sounds.

So, music that works for younger dogs might bother or irritate older ones.

If you’re hoping to comfort an elderly dog, it’s a good idea to stick with low-pitched music that won’t hurt their ears.

One suggestion is to try the YouTube channel 'Relax My Dog – Relaxing Music for Dogs,' which offers soothing music for canines, including tracks specifically designed for senior dogs.

When Should I Play Music For My Dog?

If this is your first time hearing about playing music for dogs, you might be wondering when the best times are to give it a try.

There are plenty of moments when music can help your dog feel more at ease.

Some ideal times include:

• During thunderstorms or heavy rain.
• When fireworks are going off during big events.
• While your dog is resting or relaxing.
• If your dog is home alone.
• At the vet to ease anxiety.
• If they’re having trouble falling asleep.
• To reduce barking.
• While traveling to lower their stress levels.

As you can see, there are many opportunities to play some calming music for your dog.

Just keep an eye on how they’re feeling, and whenever you notice them getting stressed, try putting on some music to help them relax.

References: [1] Lindig A, McGreevy P, Crean A. (2020, January 13), Musical Dogs: A Review of the Influence of Auditory Enrichment on Canine Health and Behavior. National Library of Medicine.