puppy-musicIf music be the food of love, Pet on

1st May 2015

Why not give Your Pets Some Ear Candy?   

Remember the old story about the Pied Piper of Hamlin?  The beautiful melodies he played on his flute entranced the rodents that had been troubling the village of Hamlin and led them out of town.  The rats loved the music so much that they couldn’t help blindly following the song.

Music has unquestionable power to soothe and comfort us.  According to Johnny Depp, “Music touches us emotionally where words alone can’t.”  And as any music lover knows, certain songs can have a profound effect on our memory--transporting us back to a particular time and place. 

Animals have the same abilities as humans when it comes to enjoying music.  I have noted that my house full of pets react to the music that I listen to.  If it happens to be loud rock music, they seem to get rowdy and out of control.  If it’s my son’s industrial music, everyone runs and hides.  But I discovered purely by accident when I played a CD called “Classical Music to Help You Unwind” to reap the promised benefits myself that I noticed something interesting.  Not only had this music brought ME to a state of total relaxation, but it had had the same effect on my animals.   It was then that I had the idea to use music as a special treat for them just as I do for myself.  Sometimes when they seem particularly upset by my leaving them alone, I’ll put that classical CD on for them before I leave to ease the stress of separation.

I was recently thrilled to read an article about some pet boarding businesses that play music for their guests.  I think I would be inclined to choose a boarding service that is enlightened enough to realize that music is superb therapy for dogs and cats alike.  It can be used for relaxation, but it’s also something for them to do.  Listening to music demands full attention.  If you pay close attention the next time you play music, you can see their little furry ears turning and jumping with the dynamics of the song.  This can effectively quiet dogs who have a bad habit of barking too much!  They become so enraptured with listening that they forget to make noise themselves!

If you haven’t tried music therapy for your pets, you really should.  If you prefer something other than classical, make sure your selection is low key.  Easy listening or smooth jazz might be nice.  When you find the right music, play it for them often.  Then the next time it’s necessary for them to visit a pet boarder, take that CD along and request that it be played for them in your absence.  Your animals will recognize the music and it will remind them of home and of you, giving them comfort and soothing their anxieties. 

Johnny Depp’s feeling about music seems right on target here.  We can’t use language to communicate with animals because we don’t speak the same language.  Music is a language that humans and animals share.  It’s just one more wonderful thing for you to enjoy with your pampered pets!

Until next week, play on! :)

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