Do animals have a musical rhythm? In fact they do. People are not the only ones who love music. Four-legged animals also have a sense of rhythm and often have strong opinions about the type of music they want to hear.
When two staff members at the Bronx Zoo disagreed on whether or not music affects animals, they decided to put their beliefs to the test by playing different types of music for several different species of animals in their care.
This is what they found:
o Although initially distrustful of the record player, the elephants soon reunited and began flapping to the rhythm of ragtime music, occasionally raising their trumpets to trumpet a note or two.
o The lions loved it. One even stood on its hind legs and struck the air with its front legs in time to the music.
o While listening to “Get a Hoop and Roll It Away”, a tiger acted exactly like a house cat high on catnip, rolling on its back with an expression of pure ecstasy. When the music stopped, his gaze changed to one of disgust and he growled and walked away.
o One of the camels – all of whom responded with obvious delight to the very upbeat tune “The Campbells Are Coming” – literally cried at the sound of a sad ballad, tears running down his huge nose the entire time he played.
Playing beautiful, relaxing music for animals that have suffered mental and emotional pain due to pain, loneliness, neglect, abuse, or trauma helps them manage their painful feelings more easily.
When workers at the West Hatch Animal Shelter in England began playing music for their animals, they discovered that the dogs relaxed to the baroque chords of Mozart, but became nervous and agitated when the rock music began to play. This is actually a fairly common find and explains why many dressage riders love to ride horses to baroque music like Mozart and Bach.
Researchers have found that the consistent rhythms used by Baroque composers help improve concentration and increase calm in people, so it is perfectly logical that animals respond in the same way. Whatever the reason, shelter workers report that the atmosphere in the kennels is definitely calmer now.
In a natural environment, loud, sudden, or unexpected sounds are often a sign of danger. The reliable rhythm of baroque music, alternating between two-beat groups and three-beat groups, suggests peaceful conditions and encourages relaxation and a sense of security.
Finally, a study by intuitive animal communicator Dr. Kim Ogden revealed that more than 90% of dogs asked about the type of music they would most like to hear said they wanted to hear songs about how much their people love them. and about squeaky toys, having a comfortable bed, eating, being scratched, and spending time outside, responses that led to the Laurel
Canyon Music Company to create the first animal-approved music CD, Songs to Make Dogs Happy.