Back in early 2020, Spotify introduced a quirky experiment called Spotify Pets—a playful feature that let pet owners generate custom playlists for their dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, or even iguanas. The idea behind Spotify Pets was simple yet fun: if humans enjoy music, why not create music tailored to your pet’s personality?
But as of 2025, many Spotify users are wondering: Does Spotify Pets still work? The short answer is no—the standalone Spotify Pets experience was discontinued. However, that does not mean music for pets has disappeared. In this article, we’ll walk through what Spotify Pets was, why it was discontinued, the data Spotify shared when it launched, and the best current alternatives if you want to keep your furry (or feathered) friends entertained.
What Was Spotify Pets?
Spotify Pets was a microsite launched by Spotify in January 2020. Users could log in with their Spotify account and answer a short series of questions about their pet’s personality. For example:
Is your dog more energetic or relaxed?
Does your cat seem shy or curious?
Is your pet more independent or affectionate?
Based on these inputs, Spotify generated a playlist with around 30 songs that mixed human-friendly music with calming, upbeat, or playful tones—depending on the pet’s traits. The playlists were designed to be enjoyed by both owner and pet, reflecting Spotify’s broader mission to create personalized music experiences.
At the time of launch, Spotify cited research that nearly 71% of pet owners play music for their animals, and about 8 in 10 believe their pets enjoy music. In fact, a survey of 5,000 pet owners revealed that:
55% said they relax their pets with music.
42% claimed their pets have a “favorite” type of music.
20% even said they’ve danced with their pets.
Clearly, Spotify tapped into a cultural trend: pets as integral members of the family.
Does Spotify Pets Still Work in 2025?
Unfortunately, the Spotify Pets website was quietly taken offline in late 2021, and the feature has not been integrated into the main Spotify app. As of 2025, you can no longer generate new Spotify Pets playlists directly through the original microsite.
That said, if you previously saved a Spotify Pets playlist, it may still be available in your account. Users who bookmarked or saved the playlist can continue playing it, since the songs are still available in Spotify’s library.
For those discovering Spotify Pets for the first time today, the original feature no longer works. But Spotify has shifted toward more personalized recommendation algorithms inside its app, and many community-curated playlists for pets now serve as unofficial successors.
Why Did Spotify End Spotify Pets?
Spotify never issued a formal statement explaining the shutdown, but there are a few likely reasons:
Experimental Nature
Spotify Pets was a limited-run marketing campaign designed to highlight personalization features. It was never intended to be a permanent part of the app.Shifting Focus
Spotify has been investing heavily in podcasts, audiobooks, and AI-driven personalization like Spotify DJ. Niche features such as Spotify Pets likely didn’t receive long-term development resources.User Engagement
While beloved by some, Spotify Pets didn’t generate enough consistent engagement compared to core features like Discover Weekly or Daily Mix.
In short, Spotify Pets was a creative campaign rather than a lasting product.
Best Alternatives to Spotify Pets in 2025
Even though Spotify Pets itself no longer exists, there are several ways to create pet-friendly playlists today.
1. Search Pet-Themed Playlists on Spotify
Spotify’s community of creators has filled the gap with thousands of playlists labeled things like:
“Music for Dogs”
“Cat Relaxation Tunes”
“Bird-Friendly Sounds”
“Pet Chill Mix”
For example, one popular playlist titled “Calm Music for Dogs” has over 250,000 followers as of 2025. These playlists feature ambient, classical, or soft pop tracks designed to calm pets when owners are away.
2. Use Spotify’s AI DJ
The Spotify DJ feature, powered by AI, allows you to curate playlists based on moods and environments. By experimenting with ambient and low-tempo genres, you can create something similar to the old Spotify Pets playlists.
3. Explore Third-Party Apps for Pet Music
Companies like Relax My Dog and Music for Cats have dedicated streaming apps designed exclusively for pets. For instance:
Relax My Dog offers playlists and videos aimed at reducing separation anxiety.
Music for Cats was created by composer David Teie, specifically engineered with feline auditory ranges in mind.
4. Create Your Own Pet Playlist
If you want the Spotify Pets experience back, you can manually build one:
Choose calming genres like classical, acoustic, or ambient.
Avoid sudden loud noises, heavy bass, or sharp electronic sounds.
Mix in tracks you enjoy so the playlist works for both you and your pet.
Real Data: Do Pets Actually Like Music?
Scientific research backs up the idea that pets respond to music:
A 2017 study by the Scottish SPCA found that dogs showed reduced stress levels when exposed to reggae and soft rock.
Cats appear less responsive to human music, but studies show they respond positively to “species-specific music” composed around feline vocal ranges and tempos.
Birds and small mammals also react differently to rhythms and tones, though research is still developing.
This explains why Spotify Pets became popular—it tapped into both science and culture.
FAQs About Spotify Pets
1. Can I still access Spotify Pets in 2025?
No, the original Spotify Pets microsite no longer works. However, saved playlists from earlier are still accessible.
2. Are there official Spotify playlists for pets now?
Not officially, but there are thousands of community-curated playlists available by searching “dog music” or “cat music.”
3. What was special about Spotify Pets playlists?
They were auto-generated based on your pet’s personality traits, mixing owner preferences with calming or playful tracks.
4. Is there a pet-specific music streaming service?
Yes. Apps like Relax My Dog, Music for Cats, and PetTunes specialize in animal-friendly audio.
5. Will Spotify ever bring back Spotify Pets?
There’s no announcement, but given Spotify’s move toward AI personalization, future features may revisit the idea in new forms.
Conclusion
So, does Spotify Pets still work? Sadly, no—the original feature was discontinued in 2021. However, the spirit of Spotify Pets lives on through community playlists, third-party apps, and Spotify’s advanced AI tools that let you craft custom listening experiences.
If you’re looking to create a cozy soundscape for your furry friend, Spotify still offers all the tools you need—you just have to build it yourself. Whether it’s a calming playlist for dogs, ambient sounds for cats, or playful tunes for birds, music remains a powerful way to bond with your pet.
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