What Americans Put on Their Dogs' Playlists Says More About Them Than Their Pets
Music has become part of everyday life for many pet owners, whether it's playing softly while they're away, soundtracking a neighborhood walk, or helping a nervous dog settle down during a thunderstorm. But while plenty of people assume they're choosing songs based on what their dog enjoys, a new survey suggests that's not usually what's happening.
Instead, most dogs are listening to the same music their humans already love. A recent study conducted on behalf of MetLife Pet Insurance found that while nearly nine in ten pup parents play music around their pets, only a small percentage actually select songs based on their dog's personality, mood, or preferences. In other words, Fido's playlist may reveal far more about the person holding the leash than the dog wearing the collar.
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Most Dogs Are Listening to Their Owners' Favorite Music
Researchers surveyed more than 1,000 dog owners and analyzed hundreds of public Spotify playlists created specifically for dogs. What they found was surprisingly relatable: people tend to share their own musical tastes with their pets.
Rock emerged as the most common genre found on dog playlists overall, followed by pop and hip-hop. For dog walking playlists, rock was especially dominant, while classical music was the top choice for calming and anxiety-focused playlists.
The artists appearing most often on dog playlists looked remarkably similar to what you'd expect from a general streaming chart. Taylor Swift ranked as the most common artist overall, appearing on roughly one in six dog playlists. Other frequently featured artists included Coldplay, Fleetwood Mac, Radiohead, the Beatles, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Queen, Billy Joel and the Cranberries.
The most common songs weren't exactly canine-themed either. Coldplay's "Yellow" topped the list, followed by Radiohead's "Creep" and the Cranberries' "Linger."
Perhaps the most telling statistic was that 87 percent of dog parents played whatever they would normally listen to themselves. Only 13 percent reported choosing music specifically based on their dog's personality or mood.
That finding feels right in line with other research showing how closely pet care reflects human behavior. We've already learned that some parents have stronger feelings about their pets than their relationships, with many even admitting they have named pets after exes more often than current partners. Music habits appear to follow a similar pattern.
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The survey also found that 63 percent of pup parents sing to their dogs, while more than one in four have actually made up original songs for them. If you've ever found yourself turning your dog's name into a spontaneous melody, you're clearly not alone.
Interestingly, dogs' reactions varied. About 28 percent of people said music helped their dogs calm down or fall asleep. Another 23 percent said their pets became more alert, while 22 percent reported tail wagging and visible excitement. Still, the largest group said their dogs showed no noticeable reaction.
The emotional connection between people and pets showed up elsewhere in the study as well. People who created custom playlists for their dogs were among the most engaged pet parents surveyed. They were more likely to sing to their dogs, celebrate birthdays, and invest in products and services to improve their pets' well-being.
That level of devotion probably won't surprise anyone who remembers how many pet owners have admitted to lying to their bosses in order to spend more time with their pets.
At the end of the day, the study suggests that dog playlists are often less about creating a perfect soundtrack for pets and more about sharing a favorite part of life with them. Whether that's Taylor Swift, Fleetwood Mac, classical music, or a made-up song sung in the kitchen, many seem happiest when their dogs get to enjoy it right alongside them.
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 7:40 PM.