Cats are known for their mysterious and sometimes aloof personalities, but did you know that some cats have a love for music? It may seem strange to imagine a furry feline grooving to a tune, but there are many cats out there that enjoy listening to music just as much as their human counterparts.
"While we have no way to determine if cats actually 'like' music, studies have shown that certain types of music lowers cats' stress (classical) while certain types raise it (heavy metal)," says Samantha Bell, cat behavior expert at Best Friends Animal Society. "So, we can say that classical music … makes cats feel happier."
In fact, some cats have even become famous for their musical inclinations. One such cat is Nora, a talented musician who has been featured on national TV programs and even performed at the famous Carnegie Hall. Nora's owner, Betsy Alexander, noticed her cat's affinity for music early on and began playing the piano for her. To Betsy's surprise, Nora began to mimic her playing and eventually started creating her own compositions.
So, what is it about music that some cats find so appealing? It's likely that music's rhythmic patterns and vibrations resonate with cats in a similar way that they do with humans. In fact, some cats may even be able to detect pitches and tones that humans cannot.
If you're a cat owner and want to see if your furry friend has a musical side, there are a few things you can do. First, try playing different types of music for your cat and see if they show any interest. You may even notice your cat tapping their paws or swaying their head to the beat.
Cats have different personalities and preferences when it comes to music, just like humans. However, studies have shown that cats tend to respond more positively to music that is specifically composed for them. This music is often created using sounds and tempos that are similar to the natural sounds that cats hear in their environment, such as chirping birds, rustling leaves, and purring.
Some musicologists are exploring this concept even more. For example, composer David Teie created Music for Cats, a series of "cat-specific selections" featuring a classical music base with an added layer of pleasing, feline-familiar sounds, such as purring and suckling, to prompt relaxation.
Other tracks include a smattering of bird chirps, whirring noises, and euphoric tones that might help energize even the most reclined feline. In addition to Music for Cats, Teie also worked with the streaming music service Spotify to create a playlist for kitties featuring some of his principles called Mellow Meowsic
Additionally some classical music, particularly pieces with slower rhythms and lower pitches, may also be soothing to cats. It's important to note that loud or abrupt sounds can startle or upset cats, so it's best to keep the volume low and observe your cat's behavior to determine if they are enjoying the music or not.
In conclusion, while not all cats may have a love for music, there are certainly some out there that do. If you're a cat owner and want to explore this side of your furry friend's personality, try playing different types of music for them and see how they respond. You may be surprised at just how much your cat enjoys a good tune!