NEW YORK, March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — More than 95 million cats live in U.S. households, and many experience behavioral stress driven in part by their exceptional sensitivity to sound. Cats hear across a much broader range than humans—reported to span roughly 40 Hz to 85,000 Hz—so everyday noises can be perceived as intense or disturbing. To help reduce stress in cats through targeted auditory intervention, Janet Marlow, Sound Behaviorist and founder of Pet Acoustics, developed science-based music specifically engineered for the feline auditory system. Pet Acoustics’ feline music has been used since 1997 and is designed to support calmer behavior by addressing the frequencies and patterns most relevant to cats.
Pet Acoustics Inc., an award-winning leader in species-specific animal music, launched a clinical study to evaluate whether its feline music produces measurable physiological and behavioral changes in cats. The three-month study monitored biometric markers and activity patterns to determine whether exposure to Pet Acoustics’ feline music would correspond with signs of reduced stress and greater physiological calm.
The study protocol included alternating periods with no music and periods during which the Pet Acoustics feline calming music was played. Each cat’s vital signs and behavior were recorded continuously, with key measures including pulse rate, overall activity levels and heart rate variability (HRV). HRV is an important indicator of autonomic nervous system balance: higher HRV is generally associated with a more relaxed state, while lower HRV corresponds with increased sympathetic (fight-or-flight) activation.
Data collection relied on a wearable monitoring solution. Each cat was fitted with a smart collar that measured pulse, activity and other physiological signals and transmitted them in real time to a cloud-based analysis engine. The feline music was played from a portable Pet Acoustics Pet Tunes speaker during the music periods, while no music was played during control periods. Study personnel then compared biometric and behavioral data between the no-music and music conditions.
After three months of monitoring, the study found consistent changes in the cats’ physiological and behavioral measures when the Pet Acoustics feline music was played. Across the studied group, average pulse and measured activity levels were lower during music exposure, while heart rate variability increased. These findings align with the hypothesis that the species-specific music produces a calming effect. In particular, the rise in HRV was a notable indicator of a shift toward a more relaxed autonomic state.
The analysis also included stress scoring derived from biometric and behavioral patterns. Stress scores were significantly lower when the cats listened to the music compared with the no-music condition. Importantly, the calming response was broadly consistent across the study population: the researchers reported no meaningful differences in response related to sex, age, breed, neuter status or whether cats were primarily indoor or outdoor. In other words, cats from diverse backgrounds and life situations showed positive responses to the music.
The practical implications of these results are relevant for everyday pet care. Pet Acoustics’ feline music may help reduce anxiety during common stressors such as introducing a newly adopted cat into a household, managing behavioral responses during veterinary visits, decreasing flight or hiding behavior during storms or fireworks, supporting post-operative recovery with lower physiological stress, and easing anxiety associated with crate travel. While individual animals may vary, the study indicates that species-specific auditory enrichment can be a useful non-pharmacological tool to support feline well-being.
Pet owners and professionals interested in learning more about the methods or the data from the Pet Acoustics study can request additional information via email: [email protected].
Media Contact:
Janet Marlow
[email protected]
+860.459.8000
PetAcoustics.com
P.O. Box 26 Washington Depot, CT 06794
SOURCE Pet Acoustics