A Buyer's Guide to Red Light Therapy Pads (for Pets and Horses)

Horse, dog, and cat owners: You’ve probably heard of red light therapy pads before, but aren’t quite sure where to start your search. Also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM), red light therapy is a safe, non-invasive, and complementary therapy to traditional veterinary care.

And, with hundreds of devices to choose from, finding quality, effective, and science-backed red light therapy pads for pets isn’t always as straightforward as one would think.

Not to worry, though. We’re here to help.

If you’re looking for a quick guide on all things red light therapy pads for animals, you’ve come to the right place.

In this buyer’s guide to red light therapy pads, we’ll cover what to look for when buying a new red light therapy pad, including:

• The essential characteristics needed to make it effective and safe

• Desired features like ease-of-use, affordability, reliability, and portability

• Discussion of characteristics that aren’t necessary but are found in many products

Essential needs: How to select a Light Therapy Pad that’s effective and safe

The United States Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requires two characteristics of medical devices before they approve marketing. The device must be proven effective and safe.

So, it makes sense when searching for a light therapy pad or device that the primary considerations must be that the device be effective and safe.

Effective light therapy, or photobiomodulation, requires specific types of energy:

• Visible deep red energy at 660 nanometers (nm), and

• Invisible near-infrared energy at 850 nm

One of the two may be used separately, but using both simultaneously is far more effective than one or the other alone. The energy must also have sufficient power to provide an energy density of at least six to eight joules per centimeter squared.

This amount of energy was determined to be effective in hundreds of research papers, and it was accepted by the National Association of Low-Level Light Therapy (NALLT) as a standard for efficacy.

So, if you want to select a Light Therapy device that’s effective, look for devices that use red 660 nm and infrared 850 nm energy.

The specs must also include the amount of energy that the device provides in a treatment cycle and be at least six to eight joules per centimeter squared. A product that simply states the number of LEDs is insufficient because LEDs vary widely in output power.

Safe light therapy pads or devices depend on several factors. The primary safety concern is overheating or burning of the tissue.

Overheating or burning can happen with devices that use lasers. The laser energy is concentrated in a very small area, and if the laser isn’t constantly moved over the treatment area, the tissue under the laser can overheat and eventually burn and destroy the tissue.

Light therapy devices and pads that use Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) instead of lasers don’t have the same risk. Although LEDs provide the same therapeutic energy as lasers, they spread the energy over a larger area, which eliminates the risk of burning or tissue damage.

Other safety concerns include:

• Electric shock

• Dangerous failure modes when damaged

• Trip risk

• Excessive surface temperature.  

So, to select a Light Therapy pad that’s safe, follow this 2-step process:

1. First, choose a Light Therapy pad that uses LEDs, not lasers, to provide the necessary energy. 

2. Next, make sure the Light Therapy pad is properly engineered to include low-voltage circuits, power adapters that meet multiple international safety standards, over-voltage protection, and short-circuit protection.

• • Ideally, the pad should meet the international IEC Standards for Medical Devices.

Note: All of “According to Gospel” Equine & Canine Light Therapy pads meet or exceed the above criteria for effectiveness and safety. These pads also meet IEC 60601-1 and -2 standards for safety.

Selecting Light Pad features that meet your needs

After you narrow your search to Light Therapy Pads that are effective and safe, your next task is to select the attributes and features that meet your needs. These attributes and features include:

• Cost and value

• Reliability and repairability

• Ease-of-use and training

• Portability and accessories

• Size, shape, and general-use versus specific-use

Cost and value

Cost is always a consideration. Light Therapy Pads range in price from under $100 to over $3,000, so it’s important to determine your budget and what cost is reasonable to you.

Value is also extremely important. Ask yourself: What’s the cost of the value provided? Determining the value comes down to answering this question.

Since effectiveness is only determined by wavelength and power, and since wavelength is fixed, the value is determined by cost per power output. For instance, a $100 light pad that only produces a quarter Watt has a value-cost of $400 per Watt. While a $400 light pad that produces four Watts has a value-cost of $100 per Watt.

So, even though the first pad costs less, the second pad has four times the value. When comparing light pads, it’s important to compare the cost per Watt output.

Note: All of “According to Gospel …” Equine & Canine Light Therapy pads have a cost per Watt between $90 per Watt and $110 per Watt.

Reliability and repairability

Reliability and repairability are also key features to consider. Light Therapy pads can be a significant investment, so you’ll want to select a pad that has a demonstrated history of long-term reliability.

Also, if the pad is damaged, it’s far more cost-effective to repair rather than buy a new pad. Therefore, you should look for a pad that’s repairable by the manufacturer.

Repairs become more complicated if the manufacturer is located in a different country. The round-trip shipping cost and longer shipping times make buying an international-based light pad less attractive.

Choosing a light pad manufactured in your home country is best, but not absolutely necessary.

Note: “According to Gospel …” Equine & Canine Light Therapy pads have a demonstrated reliability of over 10 years. They’re manufactured in Tennessee, USA, and repair services are provided for all manufactured products.

Ease-of-use and training

Ease-of-use and required training are also important considerations.

Some light therapy devices, like lasers, require safety and operational training. Some LED light therapy devices even have complex settings and configurations that require training manuals and significant knowledge of the device.

There is no credible research that shows typical complexities add any therapeutic value to light therapy devices. Some light pads have controllers so you can select the frequency of the energy (for example, how fast the energy turns on and off).

These features do nothing to help healing.

Other devices have controls to turn on one wavelength at a time or even add green or blue light. Again, there is no therapeutic benefit to these features.

Effectiveness is determined only by wavelength and energy delivered. To save time with manuals and configurations, you’ll want to choose a light therapy pad that’s simple to use with little or no training.

Note: “According to Gospel …” Equine & Canine Light Therapy pads are very simple to use. Simply place the pad on the treatment area and plug it in — no controller and no settings needing adjustment. The light pad will turn itself off after the recommended treatment time. A Care-and-Use Guide is provided with each pad to help with placement and treatment cycles.

Portability and accessories

Less critical, yet still important, are features like portability and available accessories.

If you need to travel with your light therapy pad, then you’ll want to choose one that has an available battery pack and a protective case for the pad and battery. If you don’t expect to travel, then paying extra for a case or built-in batteries may be a waste of money.

Having available accessories that simplify the use of your device, or make using your device more convenient, are helpful even if you don’t need them right away.

Note: “According to Gospel …” Equine & Canine Light Therapy pads come equipped and can be fitted with cases and battery packs if you need them. Other accessories include straps, cables, elastic wraps, battery holsters, and surcingles.

Specific-use vs general-use (size and shape)

Finally, you’ll also need to select an appropriate size and shape, and determine if a light pad designed for a specific use is better than one designed for general use. You’ll have a great deal of options for light therapy pad sizes and shapes.

Hopefully, if you apply what you know about the “essential needs” section above, then you’ll have narrowed your search, which will make choosing the right Light Therapy pad easier for you.

The size should be determined by the expected treatment area.

You’ll want a pad that at least covers that area.  However, if you expect to treat hard-to-reach areas, like inside the ear or the groin area, then the smaller pads work better.

The best way to select the size is to cut a piece of paper to the size of the treatment area, try the Light Pad out on the area, and if the pad seems to work, then buy a pad close to that size. If you expect to treat multiple areas or multiple animals, then another option is to buy several different sizes of the same pad.

Some light therapy pads have special shapes and are designed to be used on one specific area, like the hoof, poll, knee, stifle, or back. Others can have a strap extension built into the pad.

The other option is light pads that are flat but flexible and can be folded or formed into various shapes. This general design makes it easier to use the same light therapy pad in many different treatment areas.

Note: “According to Gospel …” Equine & Canine Light Therapy pads come in four sizes: Large, Medium, Small, and Itty-Bity. They’re designed for general, multi-purpose use; they’re flat yet flexible.

Characteristics that aren’t necessary but are often found in many products

The light therapy product market is growing. You’ll have hundreds of light therapy products and choices at your disposal.

Because of the intense competition, many manufacturers have added features that sound impressive but do nothing to improve the healing process.

Here’s what they do: They increase the cost of the product and the perception that they’re better because they have more features.

Remember the information we shared above about necessary needs? Just in case you’ve been skimming this article, here are the key points from that section:

• Stimulating photobiomodulation is very simple: provide the appropriate wavelengths with adequate power.

• Extraneous features, like timer configuration, frequency settings, and multi-color selection, don’t necessarily make a product more effective. These extra features make the product more expensive.

 Keep in mind what’s necessary (for example, Light Pads that use LED lights, low-voltage circuits, power adapters that meet multiple international safety standards, over-voltage protection, and short-circuit protection), and you’ll find a quality product that meets your needs.

Comparing “According to Gospel …” Light Therapy Pads

To give you an illustration of what to expect with red light therapy pads, consider the following red light therapy pad comparison chart for your reference.

The takeaway message and where to go from here

Wow, if you made it this far, then you’re serious about getting your own light therapy device.

Whether to help a furry friend with arthritis, an animal friend with injuries, or to help a furry athlete stay at the top of their game, light therapy is an excellent tool for your at-home treatment regimen. It’s a powerful addition to your vet's care.

It’s not hard to select a light therapy device that’s effective and affordable. Just follow the steps above, and everything will fall into place.

Make your choice, place your order, and join thousands of animal lovers who help their furry friends stay healthy and happy. Help your animal friend enjoy a better quality of life.

Where to find quality red light therapy pads for horses and pets

You don’t have to be a pro to be able to use red light therapy panels and pads.

If you’re caring for an animal in need — whether your pet is dealing with inflammation, sensitive skin, or general aging — red light therapy panels, interfaces, and pads can help them heal.

That’s right: the irradiance of red light therapy offers you the control and flexibility to help your animal heal and thrive virtually anywhere.💪🏼

Red light pads and panels are extremely appealing because they allow pet owners to bring spa or clinic-style healing to their homes at an affordable price and with minimal upkeep.

If you’re looking for quality red light therapy pads that are grounded in peer-reviewed, scientific research, look no further. Our Light Therapy Pads come in four convenient sizes that’ll have your pet smiling and thriving in no time.

Many of our clients have seen immediate results within just a few days.

So, if you’re looking for a red light therapy pad for your pet, check out our online shop. It’s packed with red light therapy pads with different power modes that are built to deliver relief from pain, inflammation, skin damage, and more.

Not sure whether you’re ready to purchase a red light pad yet? Don’t sweat it.

Our customer care team is available around the clock to answer any questions or concerns you might have.

To get in touch with a customer service representative about our red light therapy devices, contact us today. And if you need inspiration, 👉🏼check out our Instagram page to see how your furry friend can benefit from the power of red light therapy.🐴🐾

Nevertheless, we wish you all the best for you and your animal friend.

Equine Light Therapy:
20+ Years of Science-Backed Red Light Therapy Pads for Horses and Pets