Pet Acoustics turns sound science into clinically supported solutions for animal behavior.
Before innovation reshapes an industry, it usually begins with someone noticing what others overlook. In the pet space, stress-related behavior often gets treated as noise, not a signal.
Janet Marlow chose a different path. As the Founder and CEO of Pet Acoustics Inc., she transformed sound into a science-backed behavioral tool used by veterinarians, shelters, and pet professionals globally.
With more than 16 years dedicated to species-specific music and clinically tested sound solutions, Janet stands at the intersection of research, creativity, and animal behavior.
In this PETBIZS interview series, she shares the thinking behind Pet Acoustics, the science that drives its products, and her vision for how sound technology continues to reshape behavioral care across the global pet industry.
Thank you, Janet, for joining the PETBIZS Founders’ Interview Series. To start, could you share a brief introduction to your professional journey and what led you to build Pet Acoustics Inc.? (The science-based music for animals)
Thank you, Jehanzaib, for the opportunity to be part of the PETBIZS Founders’ Interview Series.
My journey began in music long before it intersected with animal science. As a professional composer and recording artist, sound was always my language. Over time, my curiosity expanded into how animals perceive sound — how their auditory world shapes their emotional and behavioral experience.
I began researching bioacoustics, collaborating with veterinarians and animal behaviorists, and eventually designing sound environments for animals.
What started as observation transformed into scientific exploration, and ultimately into Pet Acoustics Inc. — a company dedicated to applying species-specific sound to reduce stress and improve wellbeing.
Before Pet Acoustics existed, what moments or observations made you realize that traditional approaches to stress management were not fully addressing animals’ behavioral needs?
Well, I repeatedly witnessed animals struggling with stress in everyday environments — vet visits, storm anxiety, travel, shelter settings — and noticed how little attention was paid to sound as a contributor and as a solution. Besides, many interventions focused on pharmaceuticals or behavior modification alone. No one was truly addressing the auditory environment despite overwhelming evidence that animals experience sound far more intensely than humans. That gap became impossible for me to ignore.
When you first conceptualized Pet Acoustics, what unmet problem in the pet industry were you determined to solve, and how clearly defined was that mission at the start?
The core problem was simple: animals live in a human-designed sound world that often overwhelms them. I wanted to create sound solutions grounded in science that could meaningfully modulate stress safely, non-invasively, and predictably. The mission was clear from the start — give animals emotional support through carefully engineered sound.
Introducing sound therapy as a behavioral solution was unconventional at the time. How did you approach validating the concept scientifically before taking it to market?
Validation was non-negotiable. We conducted clinical studies with veterinarians, shelters, and universities, measuring behavioral and biometric responses including heart rate variability, resting postures, vocalization reduction, and observable stress indicators.
We gathered thousands of data points over years. Every product we released had to demonstrate measurable stress reduction under controlled conditions.
Moreover, our published and peer reviewed studies are available on our website.
Species-specific music is the core of your innovation. Can you explain how animal auditory ranges differ from human hearing and why this distinction matters clinically?
Yes, this is the question, I was expecting… Let me explain it to you briefly!
- Dogs hear higher frequencies and detect subtle sound shifts faster than humans.
- Cats hear even higher and use ultrasonic perception for communication and predatory awareness.
- Horses have lateralized ears and process directional sound uniquely.
- Birds rely on acoustic clarity for safety.
When clinicians understand that animals live in an entirely different sound spectrum, it becomes clear that conventional music or environmental noise can actually increase stress rather than relieve it. Species-specific music respects their unique auditory biology.
Your products integrate neuroscience, bioacoustics, and behavioral research. How do these disciplines come together during the sound development process?
To put this into context, each discipline plays a distinct role in the process.
- Bioacoustics defines frequency range and waveform design.
- Neuroscience helps us understand how sound influences the limbic system, emotional regulation, and autonomic responses.
- Behavioral science helps us interpret what stress reduction looks like in observable animal behavior.
Nothing is left to aesthetics alone. At Pet Acoustics, every composition is engineered, not simply “beautiful music.” but as a precision-built sound.
Collaboration appears central to your work. How do veterinarians, behaviorists, and researchers contribute to product design and refinement?
I must say that they are essential partners since the veterinarians provide clinical perspective, define practical needs, and help evaluate outcomes. Meanwhile, Behaviorists interpret subtle emotional responses. Besides, researchers support methodology and validation. As a whole, it’s a harmonious ecosystem of expertise that shapes everything we build.
Pet Acoustics products are clinically tested and veterinarian approved. What benchmarks or behavioral indicators do you prioritize during clinical evaluations?
When we evaluate impact, we look beyond surface reactions and focus on measurable change. For example, we look at behavioral calm, reduced vocalization, normalization of breathing, relaxed body posture, decreased pacing, improved handling compliance, and positive caregiver feedback. In biometric settings, we study heart rate variability and stress hormone implications where applicable.
Stress-related behaviors affect pets in many settings. In your experience, where does sound therapy deliver the most immediate and visible results?
From my observations, veterinary clinics, shelters, grooming sessions, travel, thunderstorms, and separation anxiety are among the most common stress triggers in animals.
Beyond these situations, however, whenever stress escalates for any reason, properly engineered sound can provide an immediate and measurable calming effect.
Many pet owners recognize stress only after behaviors escalate. What early signs do you wish more caregivers understood before problems intensify?
Subtle shifts — tension around the eyes, lip licking, freezing behavior, panting without exertion, pacing, hiding, or heightened vigilance. These are early communication signals. Sound therapy can help stabilize emotional state in pets before behaviors escalate.
Your solutions are used in homes, clinics, shelters, and boarding facilities. How does the application differ across these environments?
The application differs depending on how each environment perceives and responds to stress-related challenges. For example;
- Homes focus on daily wellness, resilience, and comfort.
- Clinics use sound to improve patient handling, reduce fear responses, and support Fear Free environments.
- Shelters use it for long-term stress reduction, better adaptability, and improved adoptability.
Animal shelters face chronic stress challenges. What impact has sound therapy had on adoption rates and behavior rehabilitation?
The sound therapy has helped reduce chronic stress behaviors, supported emotional recovery, and contributed to improved socialization readiness. And, we all know that calm animals connect better with adopters, increasing successful placements.
From a leadership perspective, what were the biggest business challenges in translating scientific research into a scalable product?
The biggest challange was Education. Since the concept was ahead of industry awareness. We had to build credibility, invest in research, prove outcomes, and communicate science in a way that was accessible and practical.
How does Pet Acoustics help professionals confidently integrate sound therapy into care protocols?
We provide research-based tools, clinical protocols, and easy-to-use platforms like the Pet Acoustics+ app, and supportive education. Our goal is to make sound therapy a natural part of modern care.
As Founder and CEO, how do you balance creative vision with clinical data when making product decisions?
Creativity fuels innovation; science directs it. Every idea must pass through evidence, testing, and refinement. The harmony of both creates meaningful solutions.
Over the past 16 years, how has technology influenced your approach to innovation and product evolution?
In many ways…
For example, mobile platforms, improved audio engineering, digital hearing assessments, biometric insights, and global accessibility have expanded our impact dramatically. Technology allows precision and reach. Our innovation of the world’s first mobile hearing test for dogs and cats has already helped over 50,000 pet parents globally.
Despite growing acceptance, misconceptions still exist. What do people often misunderstand about music therapy for animals?
What people often misinterpret is that any music works. It doesn’t. Random playlists or human relaxation music do not address species-specific needs and can overstimulate. Remember, true therapeutic sound requires scientific design.
Looking forward, how do you see sound technology shaping preventive behavioral care in veterinary medicine?
Sound tech will become a standard element of emotional wellbeing protocols for pets — supporting calm exams, improved compliance, safer handling, reduced pharmacological reliance, and better patient outcomes.
For entrepreneurs entering the pet industry with research-driven ideas, what lessons from your journey stand out most?
Stay anchored in purpose. Commit to science and be patient with education cycles. Build partnerships to innovate relentlessly. And believe in your idea long before the world fully understands it.
Finally, as Pet Acoustics continues to expand globally, what excites you most about the future of animal behavioral care and your role in advancing it?
That animals everywhere will benefit from environments designed with their emotional wellbeing in mind. We are redefining how the world thinks about pet care by making sound art of compassionate, intelligent, and science-based behavioral health.
Janet, thank you for sharing such valuable insights into the science, innovation, and vision behind Pet Acoustics. Your work not only transforms how stress and behavior are managed in animals but also sets a new standard for evidence-based solutions in the pet industry.
From homes to clinics and shelters, your approach demonstrates how creativity, research, and care can come together to improve lives. We look forward to seeing how Pet Acoustics continues to shape the future of animal behavioral wellness worldwide.
