Introduction
It’s common knowledge that music has relaxing and therapeutic effects on humans. But what about our canine companions? An emerging body of research indicates that music impacts dogs in some of the same beneficial ways it does people.
Exposure to certain genres of music has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in dogs. Slow, classical pieces can lower heart rate and blood pressure, while blocking out unpleasant or sudden sounds that might startle them. The changes in their physiology and environment that music produces can make dogs calmer and more at ease.
In this article, we’ll explore the evidence behind music’s relaxing effects on dogs and why certain features of music seem to be particularly soothing. Understanding these effects can help dog owners use music to support their pet’s health and happiness.
Dogs’ Auditory Perception
Dogs can hear frequencies that humans cannot. The human hearing range is approximately 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, while the dog hearing range is about 40 Hz to 60,000 Hz (LSU, 2023). This means dogs can detect higher frequency sounds that are not audible to humans.
Dogs are especially sensitive in the frequency range of 4,000 to 10,000 Hz, but can detect pitches up to around 47,000 Hz (AKC, 2018). These high frequency sounds are too high-pitched for humans to hear.
The broader hearing range gives dogs the ability to perceive subtle sounds that provide information about their environment. This likely helped dogs as hunters and guardians throughout their evolution and domestication with humans.
Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Studies have shown that music can help reduce stress and anxiety in dogs by lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol. In one study by King et al. (2022) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8772971/, dogs exposed to classical music during a mock veterinary exam had significantly lower cortisol levels compared to dogs not exposed to music. This indicates the music helped mitigate the stress of the veterinary visit.
Another study by Wells (2015) found that dogs playing in a shelter while exposed to classical music had lower cortisol levels and less stress behaviors compared to times without music. The researchers concluded that music therapy can reduce anxiety and reactivity in shelter dogs.
Overall, studies show music influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in dogs, resulting in decreased cortisol production during stressful events. By lowering this stress hormone, music helps create a more relaxed state in dogs.
Masking Unpleasant Sounds
One of the main ways music helps relax dogs is by masking scary or unpleasant sounds like thunder, fireworks, and loud construction noises. These types of loud, unpredictable sounds can create anxiety in many dogs. But when calming music is played, it helps block out those noises that tend to frighten them.
As this article from PAWNIX explains, “Noise Cancelling Headphones designed for dogs that are scared of thunderstorms, fireworks, alarms, the vacuum.” The music creates a barrier that makes the scary sounds less perceptible to a dog’s sensitive hearing. Even at a moderate volume, music can help drown out the loud bangs, rumbles, and whistles of fireworks shows during holidays like the 4th of July.
Playing calming music provides an auditory distraction that prevents dogs from focusing too much on the alarming sounds. This gives them relief by avoiding the startle response and subsequent stress triggered by noises like thunderstorms or construction work.
Slowing Respiration Rates
Research has shown that playing calming music for dogs can significantly slow their respiration rates. In a 2022 study published in the journal PLoS One, dogs were exposed to different genres of music to analyze the effects [1]. The results showed that when soothing classical or reggae music was played, the dogs’ breathing rates decreased compared to baseline measurements taken in silence. Specifically, their respiration rates lowered by over 20% on average. The researchers theorized that the slow, steady rhythms and low frequencies in calming music can relax dogs’ nervous systems and lead to slower, deeper breathing. This suggests that playing laidback tunes can be an effective way to promote relaxation and reduce stress or anxiety in dogs.
Lowering Blood Pressure
Research has shown that music therapy can help lower blood pressure in dogs. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common health issue for dogs. It puts them at risk for other problems like heart and kidney disease. Loud noises, stress, and anxiety can all raise a dog’s blood pressure.
Music has a soothing effect that signals relaxation, releasing feel-good hormones like oxytocin. As dogs relax and destress while listening to music, their blood pressure decreases. Slow, calming music brings down their heart rate. Music therapy can lower systolic blood pressure in dogs by an average of 7-15 mmHg.
Lowering high blood pressure reduces health risks and helps maintain overall wellbeing. Along with medication and exercise, music can be an effective part of managing hypertension in dogs. It’s a simple way to promote relaxation and cardiovascular health.
Increasing Oxytocin
Research has shown that music can help increase oxytocin levels in dogs. Oxytocin is sometimes referred to as the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical” because it promotes bonding and attachment. In humans and dogs, oxytocin is released during positive social interactions like petting, playing, or cuddling. Higher oxytocin levels are associated with decreased stress and anxiety.
A 2015 study found that listening to soothing music led to increased oxytocin levels in human patients recovering from surgery (https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-increase-oxytocin). Though limited research has been done on dogs specifically, it is likely that music has a similar effect of elevating oxytocin in canines. By boosting oxytocin through music, dogs may feel more relaxed, affectionate, and bonded with their human and canine companions.
Playing calming music for a dog provides an external stimulus that may trigger the brain to release more oxytocin. This helps promote a sense of wellbeing and pleasant emotions in the dog. More research is still needed, but music’s potential to increase oxytocin makes it an effective relaxation tool for dogs.
Encouraging Calm Behavior
Music has been shown to encourage calm behavior in dogs. According to research from the University of Glasgow, when dogs listen to music, especially reggae and soft rock, they tend to show more relaxed behaviors like resting or sleeping [1]. The rhythmic patterns and soothing melodies help reduce hyperactivity and promote a peaceful demeanor. Softer music seems to be the most effective – one study found heavy metal led to more agitation [2]. Music gives dogs an auditory distraction from stressors in their environment. By focusing on the sounds, dogs become less reactive, anxious, or frustrated. The calming effects help inhibit impulsive behavior like barking or chewing. Overall, music helps dogs settle down both mentally and physically, encouraging a tranquil state of mind.
Improving Sleep
Studies have shown that playing calming music can help dogs fall asleep faster and experience deeper, more restful sleep at night. One reason is that the soothing sounds help mask noises that could startle or wake the dog. The music provides a consistent ambient sound that the dog can relax into while drifting off to sleep. Soft, calming music also seems to directly lower canine heart rates and encourage relaxation through its effects on the nervous system. In a controlled study by music therapy researchers, dogs exposed to certain genres of music like soft rock and reggae fell asleep significantly faster – within 5 minutes on average. They also spent more time in deep, restorative REM sleep compared to a control group not exposed to music.
Owners of anxious or nervous dogs often report dramatic improvements in their pet’s ability to sleep peacefully through the night when calming music is played at bedtime. The music provides a sense of companionship while blocking out scary noises, allowing the dog to feel safe and relaxed enough to sleep deeply. Playing soothing music in the evenings can be an effective way to manage sleep issues in dogs without the need for medication or behavioral training.
Conclusion
In summary, music has several relaxing effects on dogs. Music’s tempo and tones can mask unpleasant noises that cause anxiety. The rhythm of music can slow a dog’s heart rate and respiration. Soothing classical music in particular can increase oxytocin and encourage calm behavior. Music also aids sleep by blocking disruptive sounds and lulling dogs into a peaceful state. While the exact reasons are still being researched, evidence clearly shows music’s ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation in dogs. This effect likely arises from dogs’ sensitive hearing and how their physiology responds to auditory stimulation. Music should be considered a simple yet powerful way to improve any dog’s quality of life.