Sunday People

Dogs like classical

- By Antonia Paget

A COMPOSER has come up with a score that proves classical music soothes dogs... be it Bach, Wag-ner or Houndel.

Iain Jackson’s masterpiec­e A Dog’s Tale was tested on a group of pooches and reduced their heartbeats by an average of 22 per cent.

Some ended up asleep – while their owners seemed pretty relaxed too as a 10-piece orchestra conducted by Iain played the heavenly harmony.

The results are similar to the effect classical music can have on the human body, as it is scientific­ally proven to slow the pulse rate, lower blood pressure and decrease stress levels.

Iain, who developed the piece with pet nutrition brand Eukanuba, said: “There were two key elements in writing this piece of music for the dogs.

“Firstly, we wanted to create something that would have a calming effect and help to relax dogs.

“And secondly, we wanted to tell the story of a dog’s life from puppy into junior adulthood, then as they mature and become a senior dog. We wanted OUR vet Brian Faulkner, from Petplan, has 22 years of experience and is a freelancer working all over the country. Send your questions to Brian at: Petplan, Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9DX or via Petplan’s Facebook page facebook.com/ PetplanUK. the music to represent a dog’s nature, personalit­y and overall wellbeing, whilst also celebratin­g the companions­hip we share with dogs.”

Iain and Eukanuba tested A Dog’s Tale on a range of hounds of various ages and breeds. A vet was on hand to assess impact on the animals’ stress and anxiety levels.

Eukanuba’s veterinary training manager Kellie Ceccarelli said: “I was slightly apprehensi­ve that all of the new experience­s we were introducin­g the dogs to could cause stress.

“But it was the complete opposite. The dogs were calm, relaxed and quickly settled on the beds, with many falling asleep. And to see an average reduction of 22 per cent in their pulse rates was really quite staggering.”

Kellie noticed the music also worked on the owners. She added: “One of the best parts for me was the effect the music seemed to have on both the owners and the dogs together, it almost seemed to strengthen the relationsh­ip between them. It was very emotional to experience.”

You can download the track at SoundCloud.com/EukanubaUK. IS it OK to give my cat milk? She doesn’t seem to be overweight and really enjoys drinking it as a weekly treat but is it actually unhealthy for her?

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