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I start listening to my Christmas playlist the moment the clock midnight on November 1st. By that point in the year, I need the pick me up only jolly melody of “Jingle Bells” can bring. Thankfully, I’m not alone. Nearly a quarter of us listen to festive songs every single day throughout the month of December, a music countdown of sorts until the big day.
However according to new research from Fanatix, our Christmas playlist could be secretly stressing out our pets. While I was having a grand ole time, turns out I was turning my dogs into certified Scrooges.
Your playlist is stressing out your dog
Studies suggest dogs relax best to slow, simple music made up of no more than 50 to 60 beats per minute. Low percussion, gentle melodies — basically the opposite of most chart-topping Christmas hits. The high-tempo Christmas classics we all love this time of the year don’t really fit the bill. Dogs want less “Step into Christmas”, more “step outside and leave me alone”.
With this in mind, Fanatix analysed 90 songs from Spotify’s huge “Christmas Hits” playlist to discover which tracks are most and least pet-friendly.
Maybe give these a miss this Christmas
Topping the list for stress-inducing songs is Whams!’s Last Christmas, with 206 BPM. Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin’ Stevens’ comes in a close second with 203 BPM: Even Chris Rea’s Driving Home for Christmas drives your dog mad with 180 BPM. All absolute classics for humans, but a panic attack waiting to happen for your four-legged friends.
Listen to these classics instead
Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you have to ditch the December playlist completely. There are some Christmas classics you can still listen to guilt free, without fear you’re driving your dog up the wall. Favourites like Frosty the snowman and Here Comes Santa Clause have relatively low tempo’s, making for the perfect seasonal soundtrack.
So, if you want a harmonious home this season, consider swapping a few high-energy hits for slower Christmas classics. A calmer playlist might just make your pets’ Christmas truly merry and bright.
And if you really can’t part from the jolly, up beat melodies, well it might be time to invest in some good headphones to safe your pup the pain.
