Content continues after advertisement

Impact of Music on Stress in Hospitalized Cats

Behavior

|January 2023

Sign in to Print/View PDF

This study evaluated the effect of 2 types of music (ie, cat-specific, classical) compared with no music (control) on stress in hospitalized cats. Cat-specific songs used frequencies similar to cat vocal ranges and were composed to create an affiliative effect using pulses related to purring (1380 bpm) and suckling (250 bpm).1 

Client-owned cats (n = 35) were randomly divided into 3 groups. Cat stress score, respiratory rate, and social interaction were measured at 5 specified times over 31 hours of hospitalization. Saliva for salivary cortisol measurement was collected during the first and fourth assessments. 

Cat stress scores did not differ among the groups at any time point. A higher percentage of social interactions was noted in the cat-specific music group compared with the other groups at the first evaluation, and average respiratory rate was lower in the classical music group than in the control group on the fourth evaluation. Statistical analysis of salivary cortisol was not possible due to the small number of viable samples obtained. The authors concluded that both cat-specific and classical music appear to offer some benefit to hospitalized cats.

Source and Reference

For global readers, a calculator to convert laboratory values, dosages, and other measurements to SI units can be found here.

All Clinician's Brief content is reviewed for accuracy at the time of publication. Previously published content may not reflect recent developments in research and practice.

Material from Clinician's Brief may not be reproduced, distributed, or used in whole or in part without prior permission of Educational Concepts, LLC. For questions or inquiries please contact us.

Podcasts

Clinician's Brief:
The Podcast
Listen as host Alyssa Watson, DVM, talks with the authors of your favorite Clinician’s Brief articles. Dig deeper and explore the conversations behind the content here.
Clinician's Brief provides relevant diagnostic and treatment information for small animal practitioners. It has been ranked the #1 most essential publication by small animal veterinarians for 9 years.*

*2007-2017 PERQ and Essential Media Studies

© 2023 Educational Concepts, L.L.C. dba Brief Media ™ All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions | DMCA Copyright | Privacy Policy | Acceptable Use Policy