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Auditory Enrichment?

  • 1.  Auditory Enrichment?

    Posted 02-17-2021 06:22 AM
    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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  • 2.  RE: Auditory Enrichment?

    Posted 02-17-2021 10:48 AM
    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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  • 3.  RE: Auditory Enrichment?

    Posted 02-17-2021 04:28 PM
    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


  • 4.  RE: Auditory Enrichment?

    Posted 02-18-2021 07:40 AM
    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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  • 5.  RE: Auditory Enrichment?

    Posted 02-19-2021 06:57 AM
    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


  • 6.  RE: Auditory Enrichment?

    Posted 02-19-2021 09:28 AM
    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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  • 7.  RE: Auditory Enrichment?

    Posted 03-02-2021 07:30 AM
    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


  • 8.  RE: Auditory Enrichment?

    Posted 20 days ago

    I had read that there was at least one study done showing that cats prefer music that has catlike sounds in it, like purring. Of course now I can't find the link to the study, but it would be worth looking up!



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    Valeri Natole
    Volunteer Coordinator
    Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh
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  • 9.  RE: Auditory Enrichment?

    Posted 17 days ago

    You might reach out to Nancy Puro at CAT Adoption Team. She built CAT'S behavior modification and enrichment programs. She's an excellent resource on working with high FAS cats in a shelter or foster setting (Fear, Anxiety, and Stress - CAT uses the Fear Free Shelter approach and language). She may well know of research references on using auditory enrichment. I worked with Nancy at CAT for over a decade and it's something I remember us discussing many times. 

    CAT plays music for their cats and I often played audio with music and purring for my high FAS office cats. 

    You should be able to reach her at nancyp@catadoptionteam.org

    Karen



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    Karen Green, CAWA
    Ask Karen Green
    http://askkarengreen.com
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  • 10.  RE: Auditory Enrichment?

    Posted 14 days ago

    I have done auditory enrichment on cats with high FAS by using classical or instrumental music. A lot of the soundtracks can be found on YouTube and there are tons of options. I've found that it works really well paired with other types of enrichment like food and visual.



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    ADRIANA DELGADO
    Animal Care Coordinator
    Palm Beach County Animal care and Control
    FL
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