Harp Therapy for Cats
by Michael
(London, UK)
Harp therapy for cats is not as cat crazy as it might sound. Music is relaxing and harp therapy has been used as a “healing instrument” in relation to people for thousands of year. Cats have a similar physiology to humans.
If your cat is fearful and panicky at a change in his or her routine harp therapy may be a useful and natural tool to help calm him.
The calming music can provide a welcome distraction and decrease anxiety.
One cause of stress in cats in separation anxiety and the harp therapy music of Sue Raimond has been recommended by veterinary schools such as Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and UC-Davis in California – respected institutions. Wait for the Sunset: Solo Harp
Dr. Patrick Melese a vet and animal behaviorist recommends harp music for anxious companion animals. Apparently the music can slow heart rates and breathing, increase endorphin levels and reduce stress hormones. It is thought to improve recovery time after surgery.
Sue Raimond explains how it works:
The harp string sends out “overtones” some of which people cannot hear (note: a cat’s hearing range is much larger than ours). The sound, “produces harmonic overtones that seem to work at a cellular level..” This lowers blood pressure.
The whole thing needs to be tested scientifically. But it can be tested in an informal manner by a willing cat keeper.
A time when both cat caretaker and cat are stressed is going to the veterinarian. Heavens I find that stressful. The fear of the unknown!
Why not pop a harp therapy CD in the car’s CD player and see what happens to you and the cat(s)? According to Sue Raimond, who does this, the cat must hear the music for at least three minutes at which point the cat settles down. After 20 minutes your cat, it is said, will be sleeping (possibly).
Here are a couple of Amazon harp therapy CD’s (actually one is a MP3 download) for humans..I guess they will be fine for cats:
The one below can is designed to be used with Reiki therapy and is an MP3 download – much cheaper. I have an article on Reiki therapy in the pipeline, hopefully.