Finally, something your dog can listen to instead of spending Bonfire Night wedged behind the sofa
If your pet takes one look at a firework and immediately decides the world is ending, Classic FM might actually have your back this November.
The station is bringing back Pet Classics, its annual dose of soothing classical music designed to help cats, dogs and their increasingly stressed owners survive fireworks season.
And this year it’s going bigger than ever.
For the first time, Pet Classics will run across three evenings, from Thursday 5 November to Saturday 7 November, with a whopping five hours of calming music every night from 5pm until 10pm.
Dan Walker is taking charge on Bonfire Night itself, followed by Aled Jones on Friday and Dawn O’Porter on Saturday.
Basically, consider this the Radio 1 Dance Anthems of the pet world. Except everyone is trying very hard not to upset the Labrador.
They’ve even written a song specifically for anxious pets
Because apparently simply putting on a bit of Elgar wasn’t enough, Classic FM has also commissioned an entirely new piece of music specifically designed for pets struggling with fireworks.
When The Night Goes Quiet has been written and recorded by composer and Classic FM Calm Ambassador Noah Inada-Kim.
The piano piece was created following research from the University of Belfast and University of Glasgow suggesting animals respond well to slower tempos, lower pitches and minimal percussion.
Which does rather rule out sticking drum and bass on for the cat.
And because this story somehow gets even more wholesome, the track has also been pressed onto limited-edition zoetrope vinyl, featuring sleeping cats and dogs while fireworks explode in the distance.
There are some suitably animal-themed bangers
Classic FM says the music across the three nights has been chosen for its calming qualities.
That includes Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals: The Swan and Edward Elgar’s Mina, his final published orchestral work, which was named after his Cairn Terrier.
The station is also teaming up with the RSPCA again, with practical advice for owners on helping animals cope when the bangs start outside.
Classic FM Managing Editor Joseph Zubier said that for many pets and their owners the programme had become an “essential tool”, providing a calming soundtrack and a relaxing sanctuary during fireworks season.
Composer Noah Inada-Kim added that fireworks season can be incredibly loud and unpredictable, and hopes his new composition, along with the rest of the music being broadcast, can help both anxious pets and their humans.
So when is Pet Classics actually on?
Thursday 5 November: Dan Walker
Friday 6 November: Aled Jones
Saturday 7 November: Dawn O’Porter
Each show runs 5pm to 10pm.
So if your usual Bonfire Night routine involves closing every curtain in the house, turning the telly up and repeatedly telling the dog “it’s OK, it’s OK, IT’S OK”, you might want to stick Classic FM on instead.
Your pet may still hate fireworks.
But at least they’ll hate them while listening to Saint-Saëns.
