Hip-hop hamsters! How pets have different musical tastes

PETS are simple creatures: A belly rub, a treat or a squeaky toy is enough to make their day – or so we thought.

Our furry friends may be a little more sophisticated than they seem, with new evidence showing that animals have their own distinct musical taste.

Half of our pets become excited when certain musical genres are played, a survey of UK owners discovered. More than a third of dogs go bow-wow for rock, while 30 per cent of cats love classical tunes.

And more than 40 per cent of hamsters enjoy hip-hop and rap beats. A spokesman for record label Rebecca Downes Music, which conducted the poll, said: ‘It’s official – pets love music as much as humans do and different animals have their favourite genres which they react to. Some dance around, some jump up and down or simply get over-excited – just like humans.’

A whopping 94 per cent of musicians who own pets said their animals boost wellbeing and creativity. The survey of 2,000 British adults found the most rock ‘n’ roll-loving pooches live in Yorkshire and the Humber, followed by Scotland, Wales, the north-east and London.