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The Surprising Link Between Your Music Taste and Your Dog's Health

Britt
by Britt
Published:  May 29th, 2026
Photo credit: Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock.com

Many of us have created a special soundtrack for our lives or a go-to playlist to enjoy throughout the day. But have you ever considered what your dog thinks of your favorite tunes?


A recent study by MetLife Pet Insurance analyzed over 500 public Spotify playlists made for dogs and surveyed more than 1,000 American dog owners to determine whether there was a connection. Their findings painted a very interesting picture of how our musical habits go hand in hand with our pet-parenting styles.


If you think your dog enjoys listening to your music, they are in good company. According to the study, a staggering 90% of dog owners play music for or around their pets.


While some will play music specifically tailored to their pet's needs or preferences, most dogs simply listen to whatever their humans like. Of those surveyed, 87% of pet parents just play their normal, everyday music around their furry friends.


So, what does America’s dog playlist actually include?


  • The Top Song: “Yellow” by Coldplay takes the number one spot as the most popular track on dog playlists, closely followed by Radiohead’s “Creep” and “Linger” by the Cranberries.
  • The Top Artist: Taylor Swift reigns supreme as the number one artist overall, appearing on 1 in 6 dog playlists.


Our emotional connection to our pets also shines through in how we interact with them when it comes to music. 63% of pet parents admit to singing to their dogs, and 27% have gone as far as writing entirely original songs just for their furry best friends.


The study also revealed a fascinating link between a person’s preferred music genre and how they manage their dog’s wellness, health, and daily lifestyle:


  • Classical Music Fans: These pet parents are highly in tune with their pet’s peace of mind. Classical fans led all groups in pet insurance enrollment (31%) and showed a high usage of GPS trackers. Interestingly, 53% of classical listeners shared that their dogs actively calmed down or fell asleep when the music played.
  • Lo-Fi and Ambient Listeners: If you love relaxing beats, you likely lean toward premium pet care. This group showed the highest investment in nutrition, with 66% purchasing high-quality or organic dog food, and 31% regularly hiring professional dog walkers or sitters.
  • Indie and Folk Fans: These pet parents heavily focus on support systems, showing much higher rates of investing in professional dog training, hiring dog walkers, and enrolling in pet insurance.
  • R&B and Soul Enthusiasts: Pet parents who love this genre boast the highest emotional and interactive engagement with their pets. An incredible 80% sing to their pets. They are also the most likely to buy calming products to help their dogs relax.


Using Music as a Wellness Tool


While rock remains the most popular genre for walking playlists (33%), classical music leads the charge for calming and anxiety playlists (34%). And for good reason.


Using sound to manage a dog’s environment has been shown to be an excellent, low-stress way to provide mental enrichment. If you want to use music to help a stressed or anxious pup, experts recommend slow, steady tempos, avoiding songs with sudden volume changes. Classical arrangements, soft reggae, and ambient tracks mimic a resting heart rate, which can naturally lower cortisol levels in dogs.


While only a small number of the pet parents surveyed reported receiving a musical recommendation from a vet or trainer, nearly 70% are open to using it as a calming tool.


The data shows that pet parents who go out of their way to create custom playlists for their dogs are among the most engaged with their pups. They are more likely to celebrate their dog’s birthday, track their health, and closely monitor their emotional well-being.


The next time you press play on your favorite song, take a look at your dog. You aren’t just adding to the vibes of the space; you are sharing an experience that could improve their everyday life.


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Britt
Britt

Britt Kascjak is a proud pet mom, sharing her heart (and her home) with her “pack” which includes her husband John, their 2 dogs – Lucifer and Willow – and their 2 cats – Jinx and Theia. She has been active in the animal rescue community for over 15 years, volunteering, fostering and advocating for organizations across Canada and the US. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country camping, hiking, and canoeing with her pets.

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