How does your cat react when you play your favourite music?
We know that animals do respond to music—just not always the way we expect. Studies show that animals, including cats, react more strongly to music tailored to their own species. For example, 'cat music' uses tempos and pitches similar to purring and meowing, and yes, some cats actually dig it. Researchers have found that cats exposed to feline-specific tunes often become calmer or more attentive.
Human music, on the other hand, can be hit or miss—your cat might snooze through Mozart but flee from Metallica. Other animals show preferences too: cows seem to chill out to classical, and dogs may perk up to reggae.
We think it's clear, though, that Snoop, the delightful black and white cat in the clip below, responds to classical music. Watch as Snoop listens to Chopin's haunting Nocturne in C sharp minor - and seems to shed a tear. Emotional stuff.
For the love of miaowsic
Cats and classical music actually go pretty well together. Our editor, Charlotte Smith, even caught a delightful moment on film last year when a curious cat wandered onstage during a Beethoven concert—proof that felines have good taste. That took place in Turkey, where they love their cats - indeed, cultured felines are a not uncommon sight on the city's classical music stages, as the clip below shows.
Several composers have also been devoted cat lovers. Igor Stravinsky had a soft spot for cats, with feline friends often popping up in photos alongside him. And the wonderfully eccentric Erik Satie was known to love all sorts of animals, cats included.
Alban Berg was another proud cat enthusiast—he’s frequently seen in photos with his pets, and his letters occasionally reveal just how fond he was of them. Clearly, a love of music and a love of cats often go hand in paw.
We continue our list of cat-minded composers with the great American composer Aaron Copland. He lived with several cats over the years and often spoke of their calming presence. Photos of him with cats curled up on his lap suggest they were beloved companions—and perhaps even quiet sources of inspiration.
We end with a pair of feline-favouring Frenchmen. Maurice Ravel, best known for Boléro, shared his home with several Siamese cats and was so fond of them that he reportedly spoke to them in a special, affectionate tone. Some even say their elegance and charm influenced the delicate textures in Ravel's music. And Ravel's friend and occasional rival Claude Debussy adored his cat Minou and had a deep love for animals. His music—graceful, subtle, and mysterious—feels almost feline in spirit.
And let's not forget that cats do love to try their hand at making music themselves, as this lovely compilation shows. Bye for miaow!
Clip and main image from ninerlives via YouTube
