From Whams Last Christmas to Jingle Bells, it’s not just people who are the holiday songs.
A survey of 1,000 dog owners by charity Guide Dogs found Whams classic to be the most popular with 10% of the vote, followed by Jingle Bells (9%) and Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You (6%). ).
Survey respondents said their animals like upbeat tracks compared to quieter, slower, or instrumental tracks. Additionally, 90% of dogs enjoy music and it can have different effects on them, ranging from energetic (23%) to sleep aids (11%). A quarter of dog owners said that music was helpful in keeping their dog calm or comfortable.
Dr. Helen Whiteside, Guide Dogs’ Chief Scientific Officer, said, “As we look forward to spending the holidays with friends and loved ones, this Christmas will be a pivotal change for a generation of new dogs born during the lockdown.
“Homes are likely busier than normal and many dogs’ routines will change. Music is often used to calm dogs down during times of change and stress, so it is not surprising that it will play a key role for dogs this Christmas. “
She added that the survey also showed that music can create fun moments for both dog and owner. Other popular tunes were Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Michael Bublé, and A Wonderful Christmas Time by Paul McCartney.
The growth in dog ownership has been noted in recent years when people started buying puppies during the pandemic. March figures showed that more than 3.2 million pets were purchased from UK households during the lockdown.
However, since the Covid restrictions were lifted, it has been reported that some owners are returning to the office leaving their pets behind as they don’t have as much time to spend with them.
Many of these pets were bought online, charities say, and their true origins and medical issues have not been disclosed. They often have a higher incidence of behavioral and health problems and are therefore more difficult to convey. Animal welfare organizations and animal shelters have warned that people often pretend dogs acquired during lockdown are strays in order to abandon them.