Does Your Cat Have a Favourite Song? New Study Says YES!
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We've all done it—left the radio on for the cat while heading to work, or played relaxing music to “soothe the beast” when the vacuum comes out. But it turns out this might not be as silly as it sounds. According to a recent 2025 study, your cat actually might have musical preferences. Yes, really. Mr Whiskers might be silently judging your Spotify playlist as we speak.
Researchers found that cats not only react to music, but they respond more positively to tunes composed specifically for felines. In fact, when played human music (like pop or classical), many cats barely twitched a whisker. But when played “cat-centric” compositions that mimic the frequency and tempo of purring or meows, their ears perked up, tails started swaying, and some even rubbed their heads against the speaker.
“We saw significant behavioral responses—such as purring, head rubbing, and pupil dilation—when the cats heard species-specific music,” said Dr. Charles Snowdon, a lead researcher in feline auditory studies.
So, What Exactly Is 'Cat Music'?
Forget bass drops and auto-tuned vocals. Cat music is built around frequencies and rhythms that match the natural vocal range and heart rate of felines. One example? A piece called “Cozmo’s Air”, created by composer David Teie, is said to blend soothing tempos with the comforting soundscape of a mother cat’s purr. Kind of like a lullaby… for your tabby.
And the kicker? In controlled environments, cats showed a more than 80% preference for this specially-made cat music over typical human fare. That’s higher than most humans agree on pineapple on pizza.
Genre Breakdown: The Purr-suit of Audio Happiness
- Classical: Surprisingly popular among chill cats—particularly Beethoven and Debussy.
- Reggae: Some cats seemed to respond well to rhythmic beats (though we suspect that was just the houseplants swaying).
- Pop: Taylor Swift? Not so swift. Many cats wandered off or simply stared at the wall.
- Custom Feline Tracks: Top of the charts. Consistent purring, tail-wagging, and even some flopping.
One owner participating in the study noted, “My cat literally sat next to the speaker and closed her eyes. I thought she was just being lazy, but now I think she was meditating.”
Is Your Cat a Music Snob?
If your cat’s reaction to your playlist includes slow blinking, turning around, or pointedly knocking your phone off the table, they might just be telling you something: This is not the vibe. And just like some people swear by lo-fi beats to study or relax, your cat might need their own curated mix.
Want to test it yourself? Play a few different genres and look out for:
- Ear twitches and turns toward the sound
- Tail flicks (the good kind, not the "stop bothering me" kind)
- Purring or kneading
- Walking away mid-track = 1 star review
What’s Next—A Cat Grammy?
With pet tech booming, don’t be surprised if “Catify” playlists become a thing on Spotify. Imagine your cat curating their own morning playlist—Pawp Music Mondays, Feline Funk Fridays. And with new interactive music mats and paw-triggered speakers hitting the market, the question isn't “Will cats DJ?” but “Are they better than us at it?”
Turn Up the Meow-sic and Celebrate Your Cat
At theTailed, we believe every cat deserves to be celebrated like the unique little diva they are. Whether they’re a classical connoisseur or more of a vibey chill-out type, our custom pet illustrations are the purr-fect way to honour their personality. Upload your photo, and we’ll turn it into comic-book style art that captures every whisker and every vibe.
We print your custom illustration on premium hoodies, mugs, phone cases, and more—ideal for gifting, showing off your furry friend, or proving once and for all that your cat has better taste than your flatmate.
