Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties:
I know cats communicate nonverbally so I’m just interested — I was playing my guitar and singing and I realized my cat was a few feet away. I thought I might be annoying her but I finished the song anyway and when I did I turned to her and said “sorry” and she winked at me! What does that mean?
~ Christian
Siouxsie: It may surprise you to know that we cats are connoisseurs of music!
Thomas: That’s not to say we enjoy all music, mind you. That thumpy, bleepy stuff makes us want to hide.
Bella: Actually, I kind of like it! It makes me want to run around the house and fling my mousie in the air and climb my cat tree!
Siouxsie: Of course it does. That’s because you’re still an annoying little teenager. Teenagers like that kind of stuff.
Bella: Well, Mama’s not a teenager, and she likes bouncy music that makes me want to dance, too.
Siouxsie: I’m glad she doesn’t play it often. You exhaust me even when you’re not listening to music. And stop chasing me! *hissss*
Bella: I want to play! Won’t you please play with me?
Siouxsie: *grrrrrrr* *hissss*
Thomas: Oh, Bella, you know Siouxsie doesn’t like being chased all around the house. Now come over here and snuggle with me a while.
Bella: Oh, I suppose. *sigh*
Siouxsie: Now, Christian, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted … we cats do enjoy certain tones and rhythms of music. Mama’s found out through observing us that we tend to like slower and more mellow music that doesn’t have a lot of high notes in it.
Thomas: High notes hurt our ears, but we like calmer music that reminds us of a purr. Take, for example, this beautiful classical guitar piece…
Siouxsie: Oh, that just makes me purr.
Thomas: We don’t know if you were playing an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar, but we know we love those deep and rich sounds you can get from an acoustic.
Bella: We also love this song, and it’s one of Mama’s favorites, too.
Siouxsie: As for your kitty’s wink, we think that’s her way of telling you that she liked what she heard.
Thomas: We don’t know if you’ve heard of the “I love you” blink. That’s when your cat friend blinks at you very slowly. You can actually do the same thing to your kitty — try giving her the “I love you” blink and see if she blinks back.
Bella: We bet she will!
Siouxsie: You might have to try it a couple of times, though.
Thomas: In any case, we’re pretty sure your cat approves of your musical stylings. Keep it up and experiment with her to see what kind of songs and what keys she likes best. We’d love to hear the results of your experiments. Please write us back and let us know.
Bella: I like all music!
Siouxsie: You already said that!
Bella: *pout*
Siouxsie: What about you? What kind of music do your cats like? Please share your furry friend’s favorite tunes or genres in the comments.
JaneA Kelley is a punk rock cat mom and award-winning blogger. She is a regular columnist for Catster Magazine, and she and the Paws and Effect Gang share a home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
My cat really likes slow harp music. I found a therapeutic CD for animals that was all-harp because she was over-grooming when I was away from home. I put the tracks on repeat whenever I’m away. The music soothes her and has helped minimize the over-grooming problem.
We’re so used to my human’s boyfriend’s playing that we barely notice it. And lots of times he uses ear phones so he doesn’t disturb the neighbors.
I have discovered that my cats like folk music. For example, Simon & Garfunkle, The Mama’s & The Papa’s. They also enjoy artists like Elton John and some Beatles songs. As long as the music is melodious & deep. The vocals have to be soothing as well & never loud or high pitched. I played Michael Jackson once & both my babies left the room. Then I played a George Michael song and they returned to snuggle with me. I’ve learned over time that if I want to listen to the harder stuff like Metalica or Aerosmith, I need to do it when the kitties are in my daughter’s room. Mostly we enjoy the same tunes so it’s not a problem.
My husband & son both play guitar & I can promise you that Siousxie, Thomas and Bella are correct, they do prefer the acoustic guitar over the electric. However, if you do play the electric just make sure your playing at the lower end of the scales and never play a high note that must be drawn out or played with the whammy bar. They absolutely hate that!
I hope this helped. Keep on practicing…music is the international communication. Peace & love.
My cat Max doesn’t like it when I play my alto sax. He always wants out on the screen porch when I play. I am a professional, and I play gospel, praise and old songs like Simon and Garfunkel or real oldies like Blueberry Hill.
When I used to live at my Nanna’s , Puss would to come into my room and listen to Bon Jovi with me :)
Sophie-Mae sings along with some songs by Richie Sambora !!
She and Alexander also like to listen to the Houghton Weavers and Damh the Bard – which I always put on in the car when we’re going to the vets as it kinda soothes them :) :)
When I had my first girl, I learned very well what music she liked. I’ve always been a huge fan of the 80s ‘Hairband’ stuff — but JJ?? Not so much… EXCEPT for KISS!!! No matter what music I played,she would be in another room or the hallway – but as soon as she heard KISS, she’d come into the room and lay near the stereo!!! When the album was over, she’d leave again… (and she preferred Paul Stanley’s vocals to Gene Simmons).
For many years, I worked the overnight shift. I’d get home about 5:00am. One morning, I came home and was putting the trash out. As I got nearer the houses, I could hear music — loud music!!! When I came up alongside, I realized it was coming from MY HOUSE!! I went inside to find Madame JJ lying on the remote for the stereo! AND, not only had she turned it on, but she turned up the volume and changed the radio station!!! (Country, I think) She was quite put-out when I turned it off. With her, life was never dull…
Oh dear. I sing largely in the soprano range. If I’ve been hurting my Kravitz’s ears, I might have to apologize.
My cats seem to enjoy the classical radio station on my alarm clock radio. My daughter’s cat, however, seems to be a Parrothead. When she’s coming up from Virginia to NJ to visit us and has Neko along, as long as Jimmy Buffet is playing on the iPod, Neko is content. When he isn’t singing, Neko cries. :~)