The Soothing Symphony: How Music Therapy Can Transform Veterinary Care
- Dr. Zeke Zekoff
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
Veterinary neurologist Susan O. Wagner believes that music can indeed be a prescription for calmer animals. Sound, at its core, consists of energy waves that impact the nervous system. Understanding sound involves grasping its properties: frequency (measured in Hertz) and intensity (measured in decibels). For instance, while humans perceive frequencies between 20 and 20,000 Hz, dogs and cats have a wider range, hearing up to 45,000 Hz and 64,000 Hz, respectively.
It's important to recognize that sound can have negative effects on animals. Noise toxicity can go beyond just hearing damage. Studies have shown that noise can induce anxiety and physiological stress responses in animals. This underscores the importance of considering sound in animal environments. Historically, the study of sound in animals focused on bioacoustics, which looks at how animals communicate and the effects of their environment. However, this approach didn't fully consider psychoacoustics, the study of the perception of sound and its psychological impact on the nervous system. Integrating psychoacoustics allows us to explore how music can be used to soothe anxious animals.
Music therapy and sound enrichment are easy ways to improve the well-being of animals in captivity, like those in clinics, shelters, or zoos. Research has demonstrated that music can influence various species, from encouraging cows to enter the milking parlor to reducing stress and increasing growth in chickens. Different genres of music can elicit varied responses in animals, suggesting that they may have musical preferences.
Research indicates that simple piano music with low tones and a slow tempo can have a calming effect on dogs. In veterinary practice, identifying sources of noise-related stress in an animal's environment is crucial. Instrumental music is generally preferred to keep animals calm, as it removes the added stimulation of processing voices. Music can reduce an animal's orienting response, with the sound resonating with their brain waves and heart rate, producing a calming physiological effect. Studies have even shown that classical music can have a more positive effect on cats undergoing procedures compared to other genres.
Incorporating calming music for just 30 to 60 minutes daily can help alleviate nervous system stress in pets.
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