Animal Welfare Professionals

What auditory enrichment have you offered cats--yours or those in the shelter? What were their reactions? Doyou know of any studies on the topic?
#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment

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Allison Hunter-Frederick
Cat Behavior Consultant & Trainer
https://allisonhelpscats.wordpress.com/
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I'll be following this topic with interest, in hopes of getting some new ideas!

We play music, choosing soft pieces that are generally classical or instrumental, but some with vocals. I definitely make sure to listen through new music before adding it to the cats' collection, since sometimes even stuff that is labeled as "relaxing" has deep drumbeats, sustained high-pitched notes, or is just fast-tempoed. We also have a couple nature-sounds CDs, and the ones with birdsong seem to interest the cats. That is definitely more of an exciting, stimulating sound, so we usually play those in the Adoption Center, not spaces where stressed new arrivals might be.

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Emme Hones
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Emme, hi.

Thanks for your ideas! I'm doing research for a sensory enrichment checklist, an enrichment class I teach, and for a presentation.

This is an article I wrote on the topic last year. I hope to expand it to include ideas from others and studies on the topic.
https://lincolnpetculture.wordpress.com/2020/10/02/enriching-your-cats-sensory-world/

Allison

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Allison Hunter-Frederick
Cat Behavior Consultant & Trainer
https://allisonhelpscats.wordpress.com/
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-17-2021 10:47 AM
From: Emme Hones
Subject: Auditory Enrichment?

I'll be following this topic with interest, in hopes of getting some new ideas!

We play music, choosing soft pieces that are generally classical or instrumental, but some with vocals. I definitely make sure to listen through new music before adding it to the cats' collection, since sometimes even stuff that is labeled as "relaxing" has deep drumbeats, sustained high-pitched notes, or is just fast-tempoed. We also have a couple nature-sounds CDs, and the ones with birdsong seem to interest the cats. That is definitely more of an exciting, stimulating sound, so we usually play those in the Adoption Center, not spaces where stressed new arrivals might be.

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Emme Hones
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Students and volunteers read to the cats, just as they do with the dogs.

Victoria Stilwell and Joshua Leeds are doing a sound presentation for dogs at her dog behavior conference.  https://www.vsdogtrainingacademy.com/dog-behavior-conference/?utm_source=positively&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=dbc21

Perhaps we need to investigate if he has spoken at a cat conference on sound and cats.

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ingrid norris
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If you  find any studies on auditory enrichment and cats, I'd love links. I'm looking for them, along with asking in pet forums.

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Allison Hunter-Frederick
Cat Behavior Consultant & Trainer
https://allisonhelpscats.wordpress.com/
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-18-2021 07:39 AM
From: ingrid norris
Subject: Auditory Enrichment?

Students and volunteers read to the cats, just as they do with the dogs.

Victoria Stilwell and Joshua Leeds are doing a sound presentation for dogs at her dog behavior conference.  https://www.vsdogtrainingacademy.com/dog-behavior-conference/?utm_source=positively&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=dbc21

Perhaps we need to investigate if he has spoken at a cat conference on sound and cats.

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ingrid norris
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Hi Allison! 

@Steve Mann may be a helpful resource/connection to make! He's shared here on the forum before that he helps shelters with the socialization of cats and kittens and has found playing music particularly effective. Here's a previous comment he's shared on the subject. ​

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Charlotte Otero
Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
she/her
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Charlotte, hi.

Thanks for the recommendation! I will contact @Steve Mann later this month, as part of my research into this topic. He also sounds like an over all good contact to make, as part of my learning more about socialization of cats in shelters.


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Allison Hunter-Frederick
Cat Behavior Consultant & Trainer
https://allisonhelpscats.wordpress.com/
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2021 09:28 AM
From: Charlotte Otero
Subject: Auditory Enrichment?

Hi Allison! 

@Steve Mann may be a helpful resource/connection to make! He's shared here on the forum before that he helps shelters with the socialization of cats and kittens and has found playing music particularly effective. Here's a previous comment he's shared on the subject. ​

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Charlotte Otero
Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
she/her
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