Calming music for cats
Recent research confidently demonstrates that humans aren't the only ones who enjoy music. It turns out that animals can also perceive certain compositions, although they choose them based not on style, but on tempo and pitch. Above all, they value music that matches their heartbeat and is within the range of sounds they themselves produce.
The first study on this topic began about 10 years ago. Scientists began studying the musical preferences of monkeys, who were completely indifferent to any human music and were able to compose a unique song for them. This caused a sensation and inspired the researchers to conduct new research. Their next study subject was domestic cats.
Music for cats was created taking into account the peculiarities of their physiology and the range of their own sounds, which, as it turned out, is an octave higher than human sounds, resulting in a melody that mimics purring. But the scientists' goal was to create music that would not only please the cat's ear but also be pleasing to humans. The composers tried to avoid very high frequencies, as they can be associated with fear or aggression in cats, which are not conducive to relaxation.
The final stage of the study involved testing the musical composition on 47 cats. The results exceeded expectations. It was found that after listening to the melody, their heart rates returned to normal, they became more affectionate, and they approached their owners more often. Interestingly, younger cats showed greater interest in the music.
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