Ever catch your dog tilting their head while you’re blasting The Beatles or chilling to Bob Marley? Turns out, your pup might actually have musical taste—and science backs it up!
Dogs & Their Musical Ears 🎧
A study from the University of Glasgow found that dogs react differently to various types of music. Researchers played reggae, soft rock, and classical tunes for a group of shelter dogs and noticed something amazing—their stress levels dropped, and they became more relaxed. But here’s the kicker: reggae and soft rock had the most calming effects on dogs. So if your pup loves Bob Marley, they’re basically a furry little island soul.
Dr. Neil Evans, a researcher involved in the study, explained:
“We were able to measure positive changes in heart rate and behavior, showing that certain types of music really do have an effect on dogs.”
But Wait… Some Dogs Are Headbangers!
Not every dog is into spa-day vibes. A study from Colorado State University found that while classical music relaxed dogs, heavy metal made them more agitated (so maybe don’t introduce your Chihuahua to Slayer just yet). Meanwhile, dogs exposed to pop music didn’t show much change at all—which probably explains why your pup sleeps through your Taylor Swift playlists.
Animal behaviorist Deborah Wells also found that dogs exposed to classical music rested more and barked less, but when heavy metal came on, they started pacing and acting restless.
Musical Dogs Through History
Music-loving dogs aren’t just a recent discovery. Pablo Picasso’s dachshund, Lump, was known to enjoy the sounds of classical guitar. And let’s not forget the time when Mozart composed music specifically for his pet starling—so maybe classical composers were onto something all along!
And in 2017, Spotify teamed up with animal psychologists to create Pet Playlists, specially curated for different animals. (Yes, your dog can now stream music just like you do. Welcome to the future.)
So… What Should You Play for Your Pup?
If you want to keep your dog happy and relaxed, go for:
✔️ Reggae (Bob Marley, UB40, Toots & The Maytals)
✔️ Soft Rock (Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, James Taylor)
✔️ Classical (Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin)
If your dog prefers chaos, well… maybe test some Metallica and see what happens (just don’t say we didn’t warn you).
Final Verdict: Dogs Love Music! 🐶❤️🎶
Not only do dogs enjoy music, but the right kind of tunes can actually improve their mood and well-being. So the next time you’re making a playlist, don’t forget to add a few dog-approved bangers—because let’s be honest, your furry best friend deserves good vibes only.
