AUDIO: CAT MUSIC CALMS KITTIES
A study published in this month’s issue of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery has shown that playing cat-specific music to cats during a visit to the veterinarian can help calm them. Previous research has shown that cats appear to be in a more relaxed state when played classical music, compared with pop and heavy metal. In this latest study from Louisiana State University, 20 pet cats at the vet were played 20 minutes of different kinds of music:
1. A classical piece, a cello concerto called ‘Élégie’ by Gabriel Fauré (see clip below)
2. A cat-specific song, something called ‘Scooter Bere’s Aria’ by David Teie, from an album made for cats. The songs are slow, calm, and contain the sounds of cat purring and suckling sounds. (see clip below)
3. No music, just silence
The music – or no music – was played in a random order at each of three physical examinations at a veterinary clinic, 2 weeks apart. The study found that the cats appeared to be less stressed during the examination when played the cat-specific music, compared with both classical music and no music.
* Is there ANYTHING cats aren’t finicky about?
* “I only like certain kinds of music, and by the way, I’m also not crazy about the color you picked for these walls.”
* I’ve always heard that EDM was the music for pussies.
* Cool cats listen to jazz.
* Although they hate scat.
* That’s good – get the cat to associate being poked and stuck with needles with “Scooter Bere’s Aria”. The next time they come to the vet and he puts on that song, look out.
CLIP: The classical cello piece: ‘Élégie’ by Gabriel Fauré
CLIP: The cat-specific music, ‘Scooter Bere’s Aria’ by David Teie. Listen for the purrs.
