If you’ve noticed your dog making a quick exit when your holiday playlist kicks in, it’s no surprise. New research from Fanatix reveals that many popular Christmas songs are played at tempos that can heighten stress levels in pets, especially dogs. To understand this, Fanatix examined 90 songs from Spotify’s “Christmas Hits” playlist, measuring the beats per minute (BPM) of each track and ranking them accordingly.
This focus on BPM is supported by prior studies from the BBC, which indicate that slower tempos—ideally between 50 and 60 BPM—can help lower cortisol, the stress hormone, in dogs. In contrast, fast-paced holiday tunes tend to have the opposite effect.
Among the most stressful songs for pets based on BPM, the following tracks top the list:
1. “Last Christmas” – Wham! (206 BPM)
2. “Merry Christmas Everyone” – Shakin’ Stevens (203 BPM)
3. “Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)” – The Andrews Sisters (203 BPM)
4. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – Andy Williams (202 BPM)
5. “Santa Tell Me” – Ariana Grande (192 BPM)
6. “Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12/24” – Trans-Siberian Orchestra (186 BPM)
7. “Please Come Home for Christmas” – Eagles (183 BPM)
8. “Driving Home for Christmas” – Chris Rea (180 BPM)
9. “What Christmas Means to Me” – John Legend, Stevie Wonder (170 BPM)
10. “Holiday Road” – Kesha (170 BPM)
Notably, “Last Christmas” not only tops the stress scale for pets but also ranks highly among popular Christmas songs in the United States, making it a challenging choice for creating an enjoyable holiday playlist for both humans and their furry companions.
Research indicates that dogs perceive sound differently than humans, particularly in their sensitivity to high-frequency noises, which are commonly found in holiday music, such as jingling bells and choruses. When combined with fast tempos, these sounds can trigger anxiety in pets.
However, there are several Christmas classics that can lead to a more pleasant experience for your canine friends. While they may not hit the ideal BPM range, the following gentler tunes are much easier on dogs’ ears:
1. “Carol of the Bells” – John Williams (47 BPM)
2. “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee (67 BPM)
3. “Do You Hear What I Hear?” – Bing Crosby (73 BPM)
4. “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)” – Nat King Cole (73 BPM)
5. “Christmas Time Is Here” – Vince Guaraldi (75 BPM)
6. “Frosty The Snowman” – The Ronettes (77 BPM)
7. “Sleigh Ride” – The Ronettes (77 BPM)
8. “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)” – Gene Autry (80 BPM)
9. “The Prayer” – Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli (82 BPM)
10. “O Holy Night” – Ravyn Lenae (84 BPM)
As we celebrate the holiday season, consider incorporating these soothing tracks to ensure a more enjoyable experience for both you and your pets.