THE multi-million selling Glasgow hitmaker behind some of the biggest records in pop is set to produce a new album of music – especially for dogs.

Songwriter John McLaughlin – who has written hits for Westlife, Busted, and Sir Cliff Richard – is working with the SSPCA to produce the record, which will feature 10 tracks performed by animal-loving artists including Scottish former X-Factor hopeful Gamu Nhengu.

Tracks on the album – titled “Paws, Play, Relax” – are based on the results of research by the charity and the University of Glasgow that shows music can help dogs relax when they are stressed and anxious.

Results show the music can help lower levels of stress hormones, improve cardiovascular control and lead to more chilled behaviour.

The study also revealed that, like humans, dogs become easily bored if they listen to the same music continually and like variety within their playlist.

While classical, pop, Motown, soft rock and reggae all help keep dogs calm, the dogs tested seemed to particularly benefit from reggae and soft rock.

Gilly Mendes Ferreira, the Scottish SPCA’s head of research and policy, said the album could help dogs in the charity’s care find new homes.

She said: “It can often be a bit overwhelming for dogs arriving into our care as they’re in an unfamiliar environment.

“We’ve worked with the University of Glasgow to research ways to help relax our animals, both in the centre and in a home environment.

“The team at our centres across Scotland enjoy listening to the album and our dogs have had a very positive reaction to the music.

“They’ve been barking less, spending more time lying down and generally displaying more chilled behaviour.”

She said that by calming dogs in their care, they might give prospective new owners a better first impression.

The music could also help dogs with owners during periods when they might be left home alone.

She said: “The music has been fantastic... the staff have enjoyed listening to it as well and it’s really good to see how the dogs are reacting to it.

“It shows a different side to the dogs, which creates that perfect first impression and hopefully they get in to their forever home.

She added: “There’s lots of dogs that will be left maybe for a couple of hors while their owners ho out to work. Having an album playing in the background will be brilliant for them because it will be a distraction for them.”

Milton-born song writer and producer McLaughlin, who appeared as a coach on BBC’s Fame Academy and is currently manager of the Bay City Rollers, wrote the songs after being approached to help.

He said: “I’m a huge animal lover so was happy to assist in any way I could to help dogs and the charity.

“It wasn’t easy making music that will be enjoyed by dog owners just as much as it will by their beloved pets, but it was very worthwhile and I can’t wait to see the reaction from dogs all over the world.

“Dogs enjoy the change of genre and also tempo which shows that they have both heart and soul -- that’s why I just had to write the songs, and why people should go out and buy the album.

“It was great to work with some extremely talented artists to create the album.

“Featuring on the album is Gamu Nhengu who shot to fame after starring on the X-factor in 2010 and loves animals.”

McLaughlin, who has written and produced seven number ones, added: “It was a very interesting project and a very strange project.

“But I was absolutely fascinated with the reaction that dogs have when you play them music. I think dogs and animals are really smart anyway, and why wouldn’t it calm them or make them feel good. I think we’ve made a great record.”

Neil Evans Professor of Integrative Physiology at the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine added: “We’ve been working with the Scottish SPCA for a number of years on ways to enrich dogs’ lives.”Knowing that humans enjoy music, we wanted to see if animals do too and explore the health benefits that music might bring. We looked at the effect of different genres and found that dogs reacted best to reggae and soft rock.”

“We’re continuing our research with the Scottish SPCA as we’re very interested in finding even more ways we can improve the lives of our beloved pets.

“The ‘Paws, Play, Relax’ album is a fantastic way of benefiting dogs in their home environment using all the key positive research findings we discovered.”

* The album can be bought from the Scottish SPCA website scottishspca.shop.org or local Scottish SPCA centres.

* SIDEBAR: PERFORMERS ON THE ALBUM

* Gamu – Shot to fame on the X-Factor in 2010 after making it to judges houses.

* Jo Petit – Mauritius-born artist has toured Ireland and the UK, supporting major acts, such as Boyzone, Westlife and JLS. He is currently writing and recording his own music. When not in the studio, Jo, who has a growing reputation, can be heard singing in venues across Britain, Ireland and in Germany.

Dave Thomas Junior – A British vocalist, writer, multi-instrumentalist and producer living in New York. As a solo artist and producer Dave has had over 22 million streams on Spotify and over 100 placements in film and TV.

Scott McNeil – An up and coming artist from Glasgow.

Emiah -- An R&B/pop vocalist and songwriter from Glasgow. After years of gigging, song writing, busking and working as a session vocalist, she has decided to pursue a solo career. Emiah has recently been working in partnership with co-writer and producer Stuart McInnes, known professionally as Esdaile State, working towards the release of her first single, “More Love”.