Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/cats and music

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/29/2009


Question
I was wondering if cats were affects by different genres of music and it would help them in a maze like situation.

Answer
Sarah,

Soothing music is recommended for cats that are stressed, left alone alot, and/or have age related stress like losing their eyesight or hearing. For a deaf and/or blind cat they are soothed by the vibrations of music when people are gone or sleeping so things are not completely still for them. The vibrations also help them have a reference point of where they are which may help in a maze like situation.

Scientists the School Of Psychology Of Queens University in Northern Ireland did a study of music on shelter dogs in which they found that classical music was attributed to relaxation in the dogs, more rest periods, and their barking was reduced. Heavy metal music was found to increase agitation, barking, and pacing. Pop music had no affect on them. I'm not sure if the genres would apply to cats.

Numerous CD's are now put out with soothing music just for cats, dogs, and even rabbits. You can Google Amazon for a list of CDs, and types of music that is offered for pets.

Here is an article that may be of interest to you for reference:
(copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.pets.ca/pettips/pet-tip-129.htm

I this information has been of some help to you.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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