Classical music has a soothing effect on our souls, guess what, it has a calming effect on your four-legged pals too
We, as humans, seek refuge in rhythm and melody, turning to playlists to mend a bad mood or mark a moment of triumph. However, what if this profound connection to music is not exclusively ours? A recent viral video on YouTube shows a herd of cows standing absolutely still in the meadows, transfixed by a man playing the bagpipes. Music appears to be a vital, non-invasive agent of calm for our canine companions as well. From neutralising the jarring clamour of the city to tapping into primal vibrations, the right notes are proving to be essential for canine welfare.
The Scary Hustle-Bustle of the City
For Medha Sharma, discovering music as a balm for her dog, Tara, was an act born of necessity. Tara, a young dog with a fractured hind leg, was overwhelmed by the sudden, intense noises of her new urban environment. Medha vividly recalls that the puppy "used to get very restless, very scared, like she was very on edge all the time." When a traditional ghazal failed to soothe her, Medha turned to something she uses to soothe herself: a 40-minute mantra recitation. She started playing it "at a very low volume on the laptop, and then Tara slept really peacefully."
As Medha notes, this was the exact music she relies on to calm her own nerves when sleep is elusive. This profound observation illustrates a transference of energy, turning a personal anxiety remedy into a shared, comforting ritual that established a foundation of safety for her pet.
Paw-some Tunes
A similar, profound realization unfolded for Nishant Rai, a colossal music fanatic who owns hundreds of vinyl records. He describes the magic of music on his dog. “The restlessness suddenly melts away. His ears perk up. His breathing slows. He lies down near the speaker, like he’s choosing the best seat in a theatre." Nishant observes that if the bass is deep and warm, he can actually see his dog relax, with the tail giving slow, deliberate taps on the floor.
He believes his dog listens for the fundamental energy and emotion embedded in the sound, especially in Indian classical and old melodies. For Nishant, the smooth melodies and low bass resonate directly with his dog's soul, leading him to the conviction that music belongs to every creature that possesses a heartbeat.
The Science Behind It
To understand why a simple melody can wield such influence, we use the science offered by Dr. Urfeya Mirza, an American College of Animal Welfare resident specializing in pain management, who elaborates. The bedrock of this effect is the dog's astonishing auditory sensitivity. Dogs can hear frequencies up to 60,000 Hz, three times the human range, and perceive sounds at much lower volumes. Dr. Mirza explains: “This heightened auditory sensitivity means their acoustic environment profoundly shapes their emotional state," and that "What seems like background noise to us can be quite prominent to a dog." The solution lies in choosing acoustic properties that counteract environmental stress, such as slow tempos that mirror a resting heart rate and predictable patterns that deny the dog a source of hyper-focus. She also highlights the importance of minimizing percussive sounds, which can easily be mistaken for sudden, threatening noises.
Mirza's clinical perspective reveals that calming music activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the body's core ‘rest and digest’ response.
This mechanism directly opposes the sympathetic ‘fight or flight’ system, initiating a cascade of calming effects: decreased heart rate, lower blood pressure, and a reduction in the stress hormone cortisol. Her practical experience confirms this in the veterinary setting, where incorporating soothing music in recovery rooms helps dogs settle faster and wake more peacefully post-anaesthesia. This integration of sound is now a standard part of her approach to creating a supportive, calm environment for animal recovery.
However, Dr. Mirza stresses that music is not a standalone ‘cure’ but a powerful component within a multimodal welfare strategy, and should never be used to mask guilt over an anxious dog. The key to success is establishing the music as a conditioned safety signal, like the Pavlov effect. Dr. Mirza advises owners to "incorporate it into the daily routine first," associating the music with positive experiences like meals or gentle petting sessions when the dog is already calm. After several weeks, the music itself becomes a predictor of safety. She warns that if music is only deployed during fearful episodes, the dog may instead learn that the sound signals an imminent stressful event.
Finally, successful implementation demands mindful observation. Dr. Mirza cautions that individual variation is huge, and some dogs may simply not benefit, indicating a need to investigate underlying medical issues. She identifies a major misconception: volume. Owners must remember that "Sometimes pleasant background music to us might be uncomfortable for them," given the dog's sensitive hearing. Instead of blasting the music, owners should look for subtle signs of relaxation: softer eyes, neutral ear positioning, a reduction in stress signals like lip licking or paw lifting, and the simple ability to lie down and stay down. Music, when applied thoughtfully and consistently, offers a profound gift, a way of peace and joy.
