Do Cats Like Music? Exploring Feline Preferences and Science

Species-specific rhythms can soothe sensitive ears and create a serene environment.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 15, 2025

Species-specific rhythms can soothe sensitive ears and create a serene environment.

Do Cats Like Music? Understanding Feline Musical Responsiveness

Music is an integral part of human life, but does it strike a chord with our feline companions? While you might have noticed your catâs ambivalence or curiosity when you play your favorite tunes, research suggests a fascinating story about what cats actually hear, how music impacts them, and how specially composed ‘cat music’ may be the key to truly connecting with our pets through sound.

How Sensitive Is a Catâs Hearing?

Cats have remarkably sensitive hearing, far surpassing that of humans. The average human range spans from 20Hz to 20,000Hz, but cats can detect sounds from 48Hz up to 85,000Hz. This heightened sensitivity is part of their evolutionary advantage for detecting prey and environmental cues.

Frequency matters: Many musical pieces composed for people simply do not register in a way that is interesting or comforting to cats because they fall outside this preferred range.
Pitch recognition: Cats vocalize at pitches around one octave higher than people, and they communicate with a different rhythm and tempo than human speech or song.

Do Cats Actually Like Music?

Scientific studies show that cats may enjoy musicâif it is tailored to their specific needs. Dr. Charles Snowdon and colleagues found that cats in their experiments showed significant interest in music engineered with feline-centric elements. While individual preferences exist (as with humans), most cats responded more quickly and with positive behaviors to music composed for felines than to human songs or silence.

Individual differences: Just as humans vary in musical taste, not all cats will universally enjoy the same music.
Quiet is normal: Many cats prefer quiet, especially during times of rest or stress.
Positive reactions: In studies, positive behaviors include rubbing against the speaker, purring, and orienting towards the sound source.

Human Music vs. Cat Music: Whatâs the Difference?

Human music usually features tempos, beats, and frequency ranges comfortable for human ears and hearts, but doesnât align with the sensory world of cats. For example, classical music, pop, or even heavy metal generally utilizes rhythms and tones that feel familiar to humans but foreign to cats.

Cat music, pioneered by composer David Teie and researchers, is structured using the biological rhythms and sounds that are natural to cats.

Utilizes frequencies two octaves higher than average human music.
Incorporates species-specific sounds such as purring and suckling.
Features tempos mimicking a catâs typical resting heart rate or vocal cues.

Comparative Table: Human Music vs Cat Music

Feature	Human Music	Cat Music
Pitch/Frequency	20Hz â 20kHz	Almost two octaves higher: up to 85 kHz
Tempo	Similar to human heartbeat (60â100 bpm)	Matches purring or suckling rates
Elements	Melody, lyrics, instruments	Cat vocalizations, purrs, sliding frequencies
Cat Response	Indifferent or neutral	Often positive: purring, rubbing, head orientation

Scientific Studies: Testing Cat Reactions to Music

Two landmark studies help us understand how cats perceive and respond to music:

1. 2015: Applied Animal Behaviour Science Study

Researchers tested cats with two styles: classical human music and cat-specific music by David Teie.
In home settings, positive responses (purring, rubbing, orientation) occurred more often and faster with cat musicâon average cats responded after 110 seconds to cat music, versus 171 seconds to human tunes.
Both types of music elicited a similar, low number of negative (fear or avoidance) behaviors such as hissing or leaving the room.
The cats essentially ignored human music, but showed clear engagement and curiosity toward cat music.

2. 2019: Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Study

Tested the impact of music in a stressful context: veterinary clinics.
Cats exposed to silence, classical music, or Scooter Bereâs Aria (cat music)
Results: Cat music significantly reduced stress scores compared to both silence and classical music, suggesting practical benefits for feline welfare â especially during potentially anxiety-inducing events.

Summary of Study Findings

Cats are not indifferent to sound, but their preferences depend heavily on the characteristics of the music.
Younger and older cats may be more responsive to cat-specific music than middle-aged cats.
Positive effects include reduced stress, increased approach behaviors, and greater interaction with the sound source.

Why Donât Cats Respond to Human Music?

The main reason cats do not respond to human music is due to biological differences in hearing and communication:

Vocal Range Misalignment: Human music centers on vocal and instrumental frequencies that do not overlap with those cats use with one another.
Lack of Species-Specific Cues: Cats rely on purring, chirrups, and certain rhythmic patterns absent from human songs.
Tempo Issues: Human music often has tempos that do not mimic a catâs natural heartbeat or vocalization rates.

Examples of Cat Music: How Is It Made?

David Teie, a composer and one of the pioneers in this field, crafts ‘cat music’ using a careful blend of:

Digital recordings of purring and kitten suckling
High-pitched sliding tones that appeal to feline hearing sensitivity
Harmonies that align with feline vocalization pitches

The best-known examples, “Cozmoâs Air” and “Rustyâs Ballad,” use a tempo mapped to purring or nursing, making these tracks fundamentally more relatable to cats than even the most soothing Mozart piece.

Therapeutic and Welfare Benefits of Cat Music

Beyond simple curiosity, ‘cat music’ has growing evidence as a tool for reducing feline stress and supporting well-being, particularly in high-anxiety environments such as animal shelters and veterinary offices. Anecdotal evidence and preliminary studies indicate that cat-specific compositions can:

Help newly-adopted or rescued cats acclimate to their environments more easily
Ease separation anxiety, loneliness, and even coping with grief
Reduce negative or avoidant behaviors during stressful situations

Since its rise in popularity, ‘cat music’ has also found a commercial home thanks to crowdfunded projects, allowing pet owners everywhere to support their feline friends with specialized playlists shaped by science.

Should You Play Music for Your Cat?

The answer depends on your catâs personality, environment, and needs. While many cats show indifference or mild curiosity to standard human songs, cat music may prove enriching, comforting, or even therapeutic, especially during potentially stressful times.

Observe your cat: Not every feline will react the same way. Monitor your petâs reaction when new music is played at home.
Start with softer, species-specific tracks: These are more likely to be well received, especially for nervous or elderly cats.
Avoid very loud or discordant sounds: These may startle or upset sensitive pets.
Use music proactively: To calm your pet before a vet visit or during times of change in the household.

Tips for Introducing Your Cat to Music

Play cat-specific music softly through speakers in a familiar room.
Watch for signs of engagement (approaching speaker, purring, rubbing) or stress (hiding, flattened ears).
Allow your cat to choose; never force them to remain in the room with music they dislike.
Use positive reinforcement to associate music with calm times, treats, or affection.
Try different compositions; some cats prefer purr-based tracks, others gentle melodies or ambient nature sounds that remind them of the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cats and Music

Q: Do cats like any human music genres?

A: Most cats are indifferent to traditional human genres, such as pop, rock, or classical. Some anecdotal reports suggest a preference for classical music due to its mellow tones, but scientific studies show cats respond most consistently to species-appropriate compositions.

Q: Is it safe to leave music on for my cat when Iâm not home?

A: Yes, as long as the volume is low and the music is calming or cat-specific. Avoid playing loud or discordant tracks for extended periods, as these can stress sensitive cats.

Q: Can cat-specific music help with feline anxiety?

A: Research suggests that cat-specific music can reduce observable stress behaviors, especially in challenging settings like veterinary clinics. Many owners use it to help their pets during travel, home changes, or illness.

Q: Is there any harm in playing human music for cats?

A: Thereâs little evidence that most human music harms cats, but indifference or even mild stress is common if the sound is too loud or contains frequencies that are aversive. Always observe your catâs behavior and adjust as needed.

Q: Where can I find cat-specific music?

A: Dedicated albums and streaming playlists are available online. Some renowned examples were created by David Teie, whose work is backed by scientific research and cat-owner testimonials.

Try Cat Music at Home: A Practical Guide

Start with short sessions during calm moments, such as evening relaxation or while grooming your cat.
Consider using cat-specific music ahead of potentially stressful events (e.g., car rides, house guests, thunder storms).
Keep environmental sounds low and avoid introducing unfamiliar noises at the same time as new music.
Make music part of your routine to see whether repeated exposure strengthens the calming response.

Conclusion: The Future of Music for Cats

Music has the potential to enrich the lives of our feline companions when crafted appropriately. Research supports the idea that species-specific music, designed around catsâ sensory worlds, can reduce stress and foster a more harmonious environment for cats at home, in shelters, and in clinics. As the field grows, more tailored tracks and approaches may continue to emerge, ensuring music is more than just a background element in our livesâbut also a bridge to our petsâ hearts and well-being.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb