Could classical music get pigs’ tails wagging? Study suggests it might!

Brad Pig and Muschu, two rescue pigs hoping to find their forever homes, are being treated to the soundtrack of classical music at Potters Bar-based centre this November.

It comes as the charity renews a partnership with Classic FM, which broadcasts special programming to coincide with the Guy Fawkes Night festivities to help protect animals.

With fireworks season upon us, staff at the charity hope classical music could help the pair feel comfortable during a time of year that can leave many pets, farmed animals and wildlife petrified by unexpected bangs.

Science could well back up the idea to ‘cue the classical music’: research published in the Journal of Animal Science found that those pigs exposed to Mozart music showed more tail-wagging and playful behaviour than pigs in a control group. The study also linked short-term music exposure with lower levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with the body's stress response. 

Lauren Truman, Animal Care Assistant at RSPCA Southridge who cares for Brad Pig and Muschu each day, said: “We're always looking for ways to make life as enriching as possible for the animals in our care. The research suggesting that music may encourage positive behaviours in pigs is fascinating, and we thought Brad and Moshi deserved the chance to try a little classical music for themselves.

“We played Mozart's Piano Concerto No.21 in C major - and the results spoke for themselves! We watched their individual reactions and let them choose whether to stay and listen, and were so pleased to capture their tails wagging (video here) before they took themselves back to their straw beds and fell asleep.”

And animal owners can help keep their companions happy by tuning into a special programme on Classic FM this fireworks season.

“Of course, music isn't a magic solution to fireworks-related fear,” Lauren added. “Sadly, many animals suffer severe anxiety and fear throughout the season. But we’ll be tuning into Classic FM’s special ‘Pet Classics’ programmes to play for many more of the animals at our centre across the fireworks season to help spread as much calm as we can.”

This pair of four-year-old pigs were rescued after suffering neglect and are currently residing at the Hertfordshire rehoming centre, waiting to be adopted. 

Anyone wishing to find out more about adopting Brad Pig and Muschu, can contact Lauren and the team at RSPCA Southridge. 

This fireworks season, the RSPCA continues its ongoing partnership with Classic FM’s ‘Pet Classics.’ These special programmes, designed to be played to pets, will air from 5pm to 10pm, hosted by Dan Walker on Thursday 5th November, Aled Jones on Friday 6th November, and Dawn O'Porter on Saturday 7th November. 

The shows feature expert advice from the RSPCA to help keep pets calm, alongside relaxing music, including 'When The Night Goes Quiet' - a new original piece composed by Noah Inada-Kim specifically for the occasion.

Brad Pig and Muschu’s story follows the launch of the RSPCA’s Food for Thought campaign, which aims to encourage people to think about farmed animal welfare and champions the charity’s belief that every farmed animal experiences pleasure, has behavioural and emotional needs, and deserves a good life of care, enrichment, and positive experiences.