Music has a universal appeal, and it's not just humans who find solace in its beats and rhythms, are you one of the many who leaves music or the TV on for your pets when you have to leave?

While the official Spotify Pet Playlist feature is no longer available, you can still create your own pet playlist on Spotify.

It’s a fun and engaging way to enrich your pet’s environment, and a perfect excuse to mix your curation skills with their adorable quirks.

Just like us, pets respond to music in different ways. With a little creativity, you can make a Spotify playlist for pets that reflects their unique personalities and energy.

The Science of Music for Pets

Music makes us dance, sing, and occasionally question our life choices (looking at you, karaoke nights!). But have you ever hit play on a song and wondered if your companion animal is silently judging your taste, or better yet, grooving along?

Creating a Spotify pet playlist is just like making any other playlist, but with your furry friend in mind.

We did some digging into the fascinating world of pet psychology and music, and turns out, pets might just have their musical preferences.

Pets and Their Musical Ears

From the gentle purr of a content cat to the excited bark of a dog, animals already live in sound. So what happens when you tailor a playlist for them?

Their sensitivity to sound frequencies suggests they can absolutely react to music. Whether you call it a pet Spotify playlist or just a relaxing mix for your dog, it can totally influence their mood.

Research Behind the Rhythm

Dogs and Classical Music: A Scottish SPCA study found that dogs relax when listening to classical. Less pacing, more chilling.
Cats and “Cat-Specific” Music: One study found they prefer songs with frequencies similar to their own vocalizations, purrfectly logical.
Birds & Beats: Birds like variety and even mimic songs. We’re still waiting for the next feathered pop star.

Benefits of a Spotify Playlist for Pets

Adding a Spotify playlist for your pet to their daily routine isn’t just cute, it’s backed by science and behavior studies.

Here’s what music can do for your best buddy:

Relaxation: Great for dogs during fireworks or separation anxiety.
Stimulation: For curious cats or high-energy puppies who need to burn energy.
Better Sleep: Gentle ambient tracks help pets wind down.
Playtime Boost: Lively rhythms can encourage more activity.
Emotional Balance: Music can help reduce stress, especially in rescue or shelter animals.

How to Create a Spotify Pet Playlist

You might not be able to use the old Spotify Pet Playlist generator anymore, but you can still build something just as special.

1. Set the Mood

Pick the purpose: playtime, chill time, crate training, or just daily background noise. Knowing what you want the music to do will guide the type of songs you include.

2. Consider Your Pet’s Personality

This is where Spotify pets gets personal. Is your cat moody and mysterious? Is your dog a tail-wagging party animal? Choose tracks that match their energy. Soft jazz for naps, indie pop for zoomies, ambient nature sounds for birds—it’s all fair game.

3. Watch Their Reaction

As you test out songs, notice how your pet responds to Spotify. Do they seem calmer, more playful, or totally indifferent? Keep the songs they react positively to and ditch the rest.

4. Build the Playlist

Open Spotify and click Create Playlist
Name it something fun like “Paws & Beats” or “Meow Mix ‘n Chill”
Add songs manually or use Spotify's recommendations
Customize the cover with a picture of your pet (yes, please)

Want to make it shareable? Set the playlist to public and send it to fellow pet parents.

Not in the mood for making the playlist yourself? There are plenty of premade playlists including Lofi for Cats, Dog RElaxation and Anxeity Relief, and even Music for Fish.

Expert Insights on Music for Pets

We’ve seen goldfish dance (maybe), cats chill, and dogs relax to Vivaldi. Experts have even composed music designed specifically for animals. One study showed shelter dogs became visibly calmer when listening to reggae and soft rock, so if your pet’s having a rough day, maybe Bob Marley is the answer (isn't Bob always the answer?).