Your cat may share your love of salmon or the comfiest couch spot, but what about music? Do cats hear music, enjoy it, or even have a favourite playlist (gasp)? Science has explored these very questions – and the findings might just surprise you…
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How researchers tested what music cats liked (and what they didn’t)
So how do scientists actually know if cats hear music and, more importantly, what kind they prefer? By putting it to the test.
In a study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, University of Wisconsin psychologists Megan Savage and Charles Snowdon worked with composer David Teie to create “cat music” built on feline communication.
Instead of using human scales, they composed music around feline communication – rhythms like purring or suckling, and frequencies tuned to cat hearing. When played these “cat songs,” the felines purred, rubbed against the speakers, and pricked up their ears.
When played classical tracks like Bach, the reaction was mostly indifference – a tail flick here, a slow blink there.
Another study, published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2019), was led by Dr Ronald Koh and colleagues at Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. They tested 47 cats during vet visits.
The team compared cat-targeted music, human songs, and silence. The verdict? Cats listening to their own tailored tracks displayed calmer behaviour and fewer signs of stress than those exposed to human music.
Together, these studies show a clear pattern: while cats can hear our music, what really resonates are tunes designed in their own “language.”
David Teie’s “Music for Cats” – the tunes backed by science
While those studies proved cats respond differently to species-specific sounds, one composer took the idea a step further and turned it into music you can actually play at home for Miss Flufferton.
Cellist and zoomusicologist, David Teie first trialled his ideas with cotton-top tamarins, writing songs that matched their chattery calls. The monkeys actually reacted – calming down with soothing tunes, getting more active with lively ones.
Encouraged, Teie later teamed up with psychologists to create music tailored for cats. His Music for Cats project has since become a favourite for paw-rents worldwide.
Here are a few soundtracks to get your cat’s playlist started:
Fostog’s Touch
Luna and June’s Purrfect Harmony
Potato’s Song
Cat music picks to get whiskers twitching
Cats might not care for your favourite ballads, but that doesn’t mean they’re not music lovers in their own right. Here’s a paw-picked selection of playlists designed with feline ears in mind.
1. Deep soothing sounds to calm anxious, stressed cats
This 15-hour playlist is designed for cats who may be adjusting to change or feeling restless. The steady, low vibrations and long ambient tones help reduce tension and promote calm.
2. Rainy-day tunes for restless kitties
For cats that struggle to settle, these rain-inspired soundscapes provide a gentle and familiar backdrop. Think of it as a soft sonic hug, creating comfort without overstimulation.
3. Lullabies that help cats and kittens drift off
Perfect for nap time, this playlist uses delicate lullaby-style rhythms to ease even the busiest paws into rest. Many paw-rents play it at night to help their cats (and themselves) unwind.
4. Sounds to relax your cat within minutes
When your cat needs a fast mood shift – say after a stressful vet visit or a noisy day – this playlist works like an emotional reset button.
Since you’ve made it this far, we’re pretty sure you’re 100% a fellow cat lover. And if you’re keen to go beyond playlists, we’ve got plenty more reads that explore the fascinating world of felines.
1. How Do I Know If My Cat Imprinted on Me?
2. Why Do Cats Lick You?
3. Do You Know About These Scents Cats Like?
4. Why Do Cats Love Catnip?
5. Why Do Cats Knead (Do They Like Fresh Bread)?
Top questions paw-rents ask about cat music
Chances are you’ve still got a few lingering “wait, but what about…” questions. No worries – here are some of the most common things curious pet parents ask about cats and music.
Yes! Many paw-rents notice their cats show preferences. Most steer clear of loud or chaotic genres (sorry, heavy metal fans) and seem to chill more with calm, ambient, or species-specific tracks.
If your cat curls up by the speaker or gives it a slow blink, that’s kitty approval.
Not really. Cats are wired to respond to rhythms and sounds that fit their own communication – purrs, chirps, suckling rhythms.
Some do get curious about certain human songs, but that’s usually coincidence or linked to the environment (volume, vibration, familiarity). At the end of the day, it’s their playlist, not yours.
Because to them, our music is just background noise. Their hearing is tuned differently – more sensitive to higher pitches and certain tempos.
So, while a Bach concerto might move you to tears, your cat may only give it a tail flick before napping again.
Species-specific tracks are your safest bet for engagement. That said, some cats do fine with very soft ambient or instrumental human music, especially if it mimics the right rhythms.
Just keep the volume low and let your cat decide – if they stay close, it’s a win; if they wander off, no harm done.
Cat insurance for beat lovin’ furballs
Whether your cat loves music or not, cat insurance is there when they need a Soft Landing. They’re independent creatures and, unlike dogs, they don’t always tell you when they’re hurt.
By the time you discover something’s wrong with your cat, they might need emergency medical assistance.
But whether it’s a case of the unexpected, pet insurance helps pay those bills and reduce your costs. Depending on your plan, PD Insurance plans help cover vet costs for testing and treating accidents and illnesses, including hospitalisation, prescription meds, and more.
With pet health cover, you can keep your focus where you need it most – on your smol cat and not your pocket.