Horses experience stressful events every day, both big and small. Prolonged periods of stress can lead to undesirable side effects such as equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS).1 Relax Trax is specifically designed to relieve stress in your horse by mimicking the rhythm of a horse's gaits and using string instruments. Listen to animal sound behaviorist and creator of Relax Trax, Janet Marlow talk about the science behind the music with Sarah Reuss, VMD, DACVIM, Equine Technical Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim and Kelly Graber, Associate Director Equine Marketing at Boehringer Ingelheim.

You can download the Relax Trax music track here. To access the music track, veterinarians and horse owners can visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoekmWDxfuaOGuL1ELoPIGQ/videos. Visitors will be able to play the music track and video, as well as gain access to additional resources on stress, EGUS, and ways to help prevent it. The audio only version can be accessed at: https://equinerelaxtrax.buzzsprout.com/1835303/9061146-equine-relax-trax.

The musical arrangement features soothing music designed with the horse in mind. The track was created by Janet Marlow, sound behaviorist, composer, researcher and founder of Pet Acoustics Inc. Marlow focused on creating rhythms and melodies composed for the listening comfort of the horse, including specific pitch, tone and frequencies. Studies show that playing music can help balance equine behavior because it helps mask outside sounds and vibrations, as well as provide a positive and relaxing effect.

“When Boehringer Ingelheim expressed an interest in doing something to help manage stress in horses, I was extremely interested based on my research in this area,” said Janet Marlow, founder of Pet Acoustics. “It’s all about composing music and modifying the decibel and frequency levels of each note for the comfortable hearing range of the animal. Using this process, we have tested music through clinical studies at veterinary hospitals, barns, etc. to see the music elicit a release of physical tensions and stress behaviors.

Rabbits are highly sensitive animals and can easily become stressed. Causes of stress in rabbits can include changes in their environment, lack of socialization, poor diet, and lack of exercise. Signs of stress in rabbits can include changes in behavior, such as lethargy or aggression, changes in appetite or weight, and changes in grooming habits. To prevent stress in rabbits, it's important to provide them with a stable and comfortable environment, regular socialization and interaction, a healthy diet, and plenty of opportunities for exercise and exploration. If you suspect your rabbit is stressed, it's important to consult with a veterinarian who is experienced with rabbits to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan.

Rabbits have a keen sense of hearing and are able to hear a wide range of frequencies. They are able to hear sounds as high as 42kHz and as low as 360 Hz, (Rickye S. Hefner, Department of Psychology, University of Toledo,) which is much higher than the range of human hearing which the highest at 20kHz. This allows them to detect sounds that are not audible to humans, such as the ultrasonic calls of predators. Rabbits can also hear sounds at a distance of 1.8 miles. Their ears can be rotated 270 degrees to help detect the source of a sound, and can revolve independently to monitor different noises.

It's important to note that rabbits are sensitive to loud or sudden noises, which can cause them stress and fear. To minimize the risk of stress, it's important to keep the rabbit's environment as quiet and peaceful as possible, and to avoid exposing them to loud or sudden noises.

There are several illnesses and conditions that can cause stress in rabbits. Some examples include:

1. Gastrointestinal issues: Gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, constipation, or gastrointestinal stasis can cause discomfort and stress in rabbits.

2. Respiratory issues: Respiratory issues such as pneumonia or bronchitis can cause difficulty breathing and stress in rabbits.

3. Dental issues: Dental issues such as overgrown teeth or abscesses can cause pain and difficulty eating, leading to stress in rabbits.

4. Parasites: Parasites such as mites, lice, or fleas can cause itching and discomfort, leading to stress in rabbits.

5. Reproductive issues: Female rabbits can experience stress when they are in heat or are pregnant, and male rabbits may experience stress when they are unable to mate.

6. Painful conditions: Any painful conditions such as arthritis, tumors, or injuries can cause stress in rabbits.

7. Environmental stressors: Unfamiliar surroundings or changes in the environment can cause stress in rabbits.

It's important to note that stress can also cause or exacerbate other illnesses, as well as make recovery from illnesses more difficult. If you suspect your rabbit is stressed or ill, it's important to consult with a veterinarian who is experienced with rabbits to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan.

The ear of a rabbit functions in several ways to help them detect and locate sounds in their environment.

Rabbit Calm Music Expansion

$40.00

1. Pinna: The pinna, or outer ear, is a large, movable ear that rabbits can rotate to pinpoint the source of a sound. This allows them to quickly locate potential predators or other threats in their environment.

2. Auditory canal: The auditory canal, or ear canal, is the pathway that leads to the eardrum. It is lined with fine hairs and wax that help to protect the eardrum from dust and other foreign particles.

3. Eardrum: The eardrum, or tympanic membrane, is a thin, sensitive membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves. These vibrations are then passed on to the middle ear.

4. Middle ear: The middle ear contains three small bones called the ossicles, which amplify and transmit the sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.

5. Inner ear: The inner ear contains the cochlea, which is responsible for converting the sound vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. The cochlea is also responsible for detecting the different frequencies of sound, allowing the rabbit to hear a wide range of sounds, including ultrasonic calls of predators.

Did you know the most cancelled appointments are pet parents not being able to get their cat into the carrier to go to the vet exam? Listen to Janet Marlow, Sound Behaviorist on Cat Anxiety solutions on how to get your cat to the veterinarian visit from the carrier, to the car to the exam room easily without stress. Click on image to Listen to this Podcast on any device.

https://on.soundcloud.com/t2ZC5

Janet Marlow, M.A., Sound Behaviorist, founded Pet Acoustics and invented the science of species-specific music in 1997. She is world renowned for her contribution to the understanding of pet hearing and how sound and music affects behaviors. Her scientific studies are peer reviewed and published in veterinary science publications detailing clinical studies proving the effects of species-specific music for behavioral balance and well-being. She is an author, speaker, and consultant to organizations and veterinary practices on this new field of understanding. Janet Marlow continues to innovate products for the welfare of animals for pet parents, veterinarians, shelters, trainers and breeders through proven scientific methods.

What is sound behavior?

Sound behavior is a new field of study that describes the way in which an animal or person acts in response to a particular situation or stimulus from sound  as a sensitivity to an external or internal stimuli.  

A sound behaviorist is a person who specializes in the study of behavior in response to auditory perception and acoustics.

Contact us at hello@petacoustics.com

Dog Walks

“Dogs teach us to observe the path along the way. It is one of their greatest gifts to us as pet parents.”

Walking with your dog is one of the most beautiful and valued parts of your relationship because it is a time that balances you and your dog’s partnership. A walk activates both human and canine senses while you share the fresh air, the exercise and nature. If a dog's life span is an average of fourteen years, you will walk your dog over 10,000 times! 

Dogs look forward to walks with you whether on the road, on the city street, or on the nature trail. This is where your dog enjoys your company while happily activating his senses.  When dogs walk, their most active senses are their noses and ears. When we walk, we are usually in our thoughts. A human has twelve thousand  to sixty thousand thoughts a day. Dogs help us get out of our inner monologue of thoughts by perking up to a sound, catching a whiff of an interesting scent, or stopping to analyze a foreign object. Taking a walk is an agreement between you and your dog and deepens companionship.  

Since we take thousands of walks with our dogs, I’d like to offer a musical perspective while you walk together. Walks are truly like a musical composition.  Walking together has phrasing, tempo, dynamics and form.  Phrasing has a beginning, a hi-point and an end. There is always one interesting point in the middle of a walk, like meeting a friend and their dog for a conversation. 

Tempo is the pace at which you and your dog walk. Some days are energetic, and some days require a slower pace. Whatever your pace, your dog is aware of your energy level and will adjust to your tempo. You are partners in harmony.

Dynamics are the volume levels experienced along the way. You may encounter a noisy construction zone or have a chance to pause for a quiet moment in a park, with an offered dog treat of course

Form is the route that you take. In Native American folklore, it is said to complete a journey, instead of returning the same way, find a different route home to complete the circle.

Puppy Walks

When you teach your puppy to walk on leash make sure to use your voice along the way. Your puppy is imprinting the inflection of your voice to learn and understand your training communication.  Keep your voice in a high pitch which is best for their high frequency hearing.

Establish a rhythm to your walk and keep your dog at that pace. As a simple training exercise, count a certain number of steps in a pattern and then stop to request a sit-stay. Repeat the counting pattern and then release into free-form walking, then go back to the pattern.  Use puppy walks for training, socializing and confidence in creative ways.

Listening Walks

When we walk alongside our dogs, they are not only sniffing and seeing where they are going but they are also hearing our footsteps. Tune in to hearing your own footsteps and then walk a little faster and watch your dog pick up the pace. Spend the walk listening to you and your dog’s immediate surroundings.

Imagine your dog and cat who lives about 2 to 4 feet off the floor of your house. They have a sense of safety in your normal day with the comings and goings of the family, daily scents, sounds, treats mealtime, walks and communications. Now it’s the holidays and their home is filled with family and friends. Dogs and cats feel calm when they have their routines. It’s wonderful to have a merry household for the holidays but just being aware your pet’s world of acute sensory perceptions on a different level will help you help them feel less stressed. So Pet Acoustics has produced holiday music with a dual purpose. Pet Tunes Holiday will provide a festive mood to your home while helping your pets remain calm with music sounds that elicit calm behavior. Want to know what this sounds like listen to this video presentation of Pet Tunes Holiday. Now add some toys of a squeaky Santa and feathery mouse for fun and frolic.

How many times have you seen a dog left in a car while waiting for their person to return? You can see this in parking lots and in front of store parking. It always tugs at the heart string especially seeing the dog in freeze behavior mode, staring intensely for the first glimpse of his person or family. Pet parents know to leave windows open, not to leave them in a car on a hot day at all and to keep the time short. Whether one or several dogs, the look and behavior is the same…a frozen stance. If a dog is feeling the need to freeze or be still, it means that they are experiencing a high level of unease. In some instances when a dog is still, the situation may not escalate further; the freeze may mean the dog is so uncomfortable or stressed with the situation that he feels he has no option but to shut down. Since you are the person away from your dog even if it’s to pop into a store or post office for a short period of time, it’s important to address what your dog is feeling during these moments.

We may think these short moments of anxiety dissipate as soon as your dog sees you return with a waggy tail and settles down, however please note that the physical response of pulse rate and cortisol levels takes some time to lower to your dog’s baseline or normal levels.

Perhaps your dog barks excessively until you return? Some dogs may jump back and forth from the back seat to the front seat as a stress anxiety behavior. These short time periods in the car are signs of stress. Stress behavior in dogs is the focus of Pet Tunes Canine calming music which we hope you already have for your dog. We wanted to underline the portability and stress-modifying tool of Pet Tunes music that it is not just for separation anxiety at home but to be used also for these moments of anxiety and stress while in the car or other places you take your dog.

OTHER PLACES WHERE DOGS FEEL STRESS

CAR TRAVEL, VET VISITS, GROOMING SESSIONS, KENNEL STAYOVERS, POST SURGERY RECUPERATION

We love our dogs and cats. We love everything about them, the feel, their touch, their funny personality, the calm and active times we share daily. There are many levels of relationship that we cherish throughout their lives as we care for their well being. The last week in September is Pet Acoustics’ spotlight on pet hearing health. National Pet Hearing Health Week goes from September 26 to 30th. Each day we are asking you to observe your pet’s hearing ability as part of their health at any age. In our research over the past twenty five years, we’ve learned many aspects of what entails pet hearing health. Pet Acoustics now offers the first FREE Home Pet Hearing Test for dogs or cats to know for sure if your pet has full or partial hearing range. Learn more.

One pet parent said “ I just whisper “treat” and if my dog comes running I know they have hearing”. We’ve learned that knowing if your pet has hearing health requires more care and attention and that pet hearing has three levels of responses, high, medium and low ear/brain triggers. Each of these mean different triggering responses to animals. Simply put, human and animal health parallel. Human babies start with extraordinary hearing, the best the human ear can do, from the lowest vibrations to the highest sounds. As we age, our hearing diminishes in capacity and in old age, we lose more and more ability to hear. This, of course, varies form person to person but generally this is the case. In dogs and cats, the same range from birth to senior applies to our animal friends. This is why it’s important to acknowledge that your pet will be losing some hearing ability as they age. Most of the time, we recognize that our dog or cat is not hearing after the fact of hearing loss, when they no longer respond to our call, or have a new level of anxiety as this sense diminishes. So keeping track of your pet’s hearing ability throughout their life is a new and important awareness. which is what our Pet Acoustics National Pet Hearing Health Week is all about. Take time once a year to know the status of your pet’s hearing as a check-up.

Senior to geriatric dogs, who fall in the age range of seven to fourteen years or older, experience hearing loss as they age. The physical cause is due to degenerative changes in the nerves inside the ear. Loss of hearing is very gradual, so as a pet parent you may not notice the change right away. The common form of deafness in pets is age-related hearing loss, referred to as ARHL. Most experience some degree of ARHL, beginning in the third trimester of life. ARHL begins by affecting the middle to high frequency range of sounds but eventually encompasses the entire range of frequency hearing ability by the geriatric stage. 

For seniors, acknowledging their hearing loss is an important step to helping them navigate a new life stage. When our pets have pain or have an illness, pets often become stoic, not showing feelings of pain. Fortunately, when they’re in our care, we can be on the lookout for signs of hearing loss. Perhaps your pet no longer comes when you whistle, shows changes in daily behaviors, has an increased startle reflex specifically to touch, creates a louder than usual bark to get your attention, increases sleep time or has general apathy. When you have suspicions that there is something wrong with your pet’s hearing, take her to the veterinarian for evaluation and possible treatment.

Veterinary check up

Your veterinarian will observe your pet’s hearing ability. They’ll likely check to see if your pet responds to sounds outside their field of vision and take note if your pet has involuntary flicking or twitching of the ears, called-Pryor’s reflex-in response to sound.  

BAER Hearing Test- A veterinary procedure is an electro-diagnostic test used to evaluate the hearing of dogs, cats and other. domestic animals. It evaluates the components of the external ear canal, middle/inner ear cavities, cranial nerve and selected areas of the brainstem.

Pet Acoustics Home Pet Hearing Test is an easy, hands-on way to observe and record if your pet has full hearing or may have partial hearing or hearing loss. We’ve simplified the science of pet hearing into key ranges; high, mid, and low frequency hearing. This natural method includes animal vocalizations that are familiar to your pet. After conducting the test, you will know better if your pet hears all three levels or may have hearing loss.  

How it works

• Sign up on PetAcoustics.com to start the free Pet Acoustics Home Pet Hearing Test 

• Click on each audio test 

• Mark your pet’s observable reaction after playing each sound. 

• The survey test takes one minute to complete.

You’ll be emailed the test results which you can share with your veterinarian.

I was in a pet store with my son, purchasing some treats for my dog, “Rigby". We walked by the parakeet cages and stopped to observe them. At this moment, I shared with my son, the story of “Perky” and “Spotty”, my first pets as a child of seven. In our small New York apartment, these two birds, one yellow and one blue, opened up a wondrous world adding to my seven year life. I loved these birds with all my heart. I learned birds take care of each other, preening, playing and sleeping on one talon. It was absolutely fascinating to see. When I opened the door each day, they were able to fly around my room, perching on my finger as I talked to them in my high pitched child voice as I recall. The interspecies trio was a joyous part of our day. Two summers later, I went to camp and the birds were taken to a pet store to stay, as my parents were away as well and petsitting was not a profession back then. When I came back home, we went to pick up the birds and the pet store owner sadly stated that the birds had died. He said that one bird had been sick and died and then the other refused to eat and died. Needless to say this was a trauma to my young heart. My son turned to me and comforted my tearful state in the store as I finished relaying the story. Animals give depth to our lives in the most beautiful and profound ways at any age.

Decades later, with Pet Acoustics Inc. I dedicated my research to understand birds and their environment. Birds are natures musicians and when they are left home alone, they feel disconnected from communication. Providing them with sounds of nature and calming music gives them this sonic connection. That is why I developed the product Pet Tunes Avine, inspired by my childhood heartfelt connection to Perky and Spotty.

janetmarlow@petacoustics.com

Bringing a puppy home and creating an environment that nurtures calm behaviors sounds easier than it is in reality. Even if you’ve had many dogs throughout your lifetime, each dog, each breed, each circumstance brings a new challenge to this wonderful handful of furry being.

Adopting a puppy into your home is an undeniable joy. Seeing a puppy’s playfulness and energy is endearing and entertaining. The first two years of a puppy’s life are full of new experiences about their world, and hearing is essential for their learning and training.

Newborn puppies are deaf until about three weeks of age. Until then, a puppy uses her sense of smell to navigate to Mom, siblings and her surroundings. Eyes begin to open in the second week of life, between ten to fourteen days. Puppies’ ears begin to open generally around fourteen to eighteen days old and continue to develop until eight weeks old. Once they have their full hearing ability, they hear twice the frequency levels of humans and sounds four times farther away. When you first bring home a puppy, at this early age, the distinctive sound of your voice becomes imprinted as their new family.

Hearing and Sleep

Canine ears, like human ears, never close! When we sleep, our ears are still hearing, though our brains go in and out of responding to sound according to the different stages of sleep. There are two basic types of sleep: REM-sleep and non-REM sleep, (rapid eye movement) which has three different stages.

Stage One occurs right after you fall asleep and is very short.
Stage Two is a light sleep. Heart rate slows and body temperature drops.

Research has identified that the brain waves of dogs during sleep are comparable to those of humans. Have you seen your dog twitch when she is sleeping? This is when your dog has entered REM sleep or rapid eye movement. Compared to humans who have 25% of REM deep sleep, dogs only need 10% of REM for health. Getting quality sleep every day is a key component of your dog’s health at any age.

If your dog experiences agitating noises while home alone, your dog may not be getting sufficient rest. This is important because during sleep, dogs, just like humans experience allostatic regulation, which is the balancing of cell function. How much sleep a dog needs depends on the breed of dog, the size of the dog, their diet, daily walks, and amount of play exercise.

Canine rest periods weave in and out of daily life. As sleep or rest is a major part of their day for health and rebalance, the acoustics and sounds in their environment is a key factor. If their environment is noisy, like the reverberating cement walls of animal shelters, dogs hardly get a chance to rest deeply. In a veterinary kennel, the same acoustic issues can apply

Stage Three is the deep sleep

Each of these stages is linked to specific brain waves and neuronal activity. These are developments which can exacerbate the emotional stress of separation anxiety. Have you seen your dog go into a deep rest right after a veterinary checkup? Just being home helps your dog succumb to the quiet and safety to release muscle tension due to stress. There’s no place like home!

When a puppy is learning to be home alone, they can experience acute separation anxiety. The release of the adrenaline hormone causes a state of stress and if the stress continues, cortisol, known as the stress hormone, is released into the body, causing your dog to be anxious and reactive. During the night, if you’ve ever tried to sleep while your puppy is being crate trained, you have heard with your own ears the level of stress they are experiencing. It’s understandable that your puppy just wants to be cuddled and be close to you for deep relaxation but just like a baby, they need at some point to self-regulate into a state of relaxation.

“ I have a new puppy that has separation issues not only when I'd leave the house, but when I leave the room. He will cry, bark and even go to the bathroom in his crate when I'd leave. I use Puppy Calm music now and my puppy knows when the music goes on it’s time to crate up and goes to sleep and rests.”

“Our puppy is very anxious and this really helps calm him. He sleeps really well, it's soothing and helps block out any sounds that would wake him. If he's whimpering or barking, he usually calms down within 3 or 4 minutes after playing the soothing sounds. I also enjoy having it on during the day to keep him calm while I work (since I work from home).”

New! special music designed just for growing puppy behavior balance.

$34.99 SD card

compatible with Pet Tunes speaker or other device.