What Kind of Music Calms Dogs?

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?

Can You Use Music to Soothe Dogs?

There has not been a ton of research in this area, but there is enough to suggest that music can be used to increase relaxed behaviors in dogs.

According to Dr. Susan Wagner, a veterinary neurologist and co-author of Through a Dog’s Ear: Using Sound to Improve the Health and Behavior of Your Canine Companion, the everyday noises in the average American household can have a big effect on our pets’ health and well-being.

She also says that we can counteract this noise pollution and enrich their environment through certain types of music that have had a relaxing effect on dogs in previous studies.

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.

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. 

When to Play Calming Music for Dogs

Your dog may appreciate soothing music in the following situations:

• If they are a new puppy or dog adjusting and settling in after being brought to your home.

• Dogs with separation anxiety, when they are left alone. While the sound of music may be comforting, be sure you also play the same music when you are home with them so they don’t associate the music with being home alone. 

• When your dog spends time in their crate or safe space. 

• Traveling in a car can cause anxiety, so playing some familiar music that you have previously played at home might help them relax