Cat Red Light Therapy and Laser Therapy (Feline Pain Relief)

Feline friend feeling off lately? If you’ve noticed your cat sleeping more, seeming off, or in general feeling more sluggish, they might benefit from red light therapy for cats. Since cats tend to be pretty talented actors (they can hide emotions, like pain, quite well), finding the right solutions for their needs isn’t always straightforward.

If you’re looking for a non-invasive, drug-free way to reduce pain and promote healing for your feline friend, red light therapy for cats, also known as laser therapy for cats, is a gentle option that promotes healing without medication or surgery.

And the best part of all is that your cat never has to leave their home to experience all these wonderful benefits.

Equine and Canine Light Therapy here: for more than 20 years, we’ve been providing quality red light therapy for dogs, cats, and horses.

If you’re looking for a non-invasive, home-based treatment for your cat’s various ailments, cat red light therapy might be just what the vet ordered.

In this article, you’ll learn about what cat red light therapy is, including the following topics:

• How red light therapy for cats works

• Laser therapy vs. red light therapy vs cold laser therapy for cats

• How laser therapy provides pain relief for cats

• Key benefits of laser and red light therapy

• Conditions that red light therapy can help with in cats

• What a cat laser therapy session is like

• Safety considerations with cat laser therapy

• Where you can purchase red light therapy solutions for cats

• Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about red light therapy for cats

What is laser therapy and red light therapy for cats?

Red light therapy and laser therapy for cats refer to low-level laser or red/infrared light therapy. At its core, this therapy uses wavelengths of light at 630 and 850 nanometers (nm) to stimulate cells, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.

In fact, this process involves using therapeutic light to interact with tissues to accelerate healing and provide support for conditions like arthritis. Using deep penetrating light to trigger chemical reactions and boost cellular energy production, cat red light therapy helps repair tissues, reduce inflammation, accelerate cell regeneration, and increase blood circulation.

In other words, red light therapy (also known as photobiomodulation or photostimulation) helps stimulate injured cells to heal at an accelerated pace.

How does red light therapy for cats work?

Specifically for cats, red light therapy devices work by delivering light wavelengths that pass through a cat’s skin and that a cat’s cells absorb.

Red light therapy devices make use of two versions of red light:

1. Red light, at 660 nm, that penetrates surface tissues

2. Near-infrared light, at 850 nm, that penetrates deeper into joints, muscles, and the spine

Effective red light therapy devices use both red and near-infrared light to stimulate a cat’s body. A cat’s mitochondria, key cells that generate chemical energy needed to power biochemical processes, absorb light. The light absorption process then leads to an increase in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the key energy needed to fuel the repair of various cells.

As a result of ATP production, blood then flows to key areas of the body that are injured, thereby also bringing with it oxygen and nutrients to areas needing repair. As blood flows to key areas, collagen and elastin production increases, inflammation decreases, and pain decreases, thereby supporting skin, joint, and overall body health.

Table: Laser therapy vs. red light therapy vs. cold lasers for cats

Photobiomodulation, laser therapy, red light therapy, cold laser therapy: You’ve likely seen all of the above-mentioned terms to refer to the type of treatment we’re discussing in this article.

In essence, all of the above-mentioned items refer to the same pet-light-based therapy that helps treat pain, inflammation, and muscle soreness in pets.

Note: "Laser therapy" is an umbrella clinical term. This term can be further broken down into Class IV (higher-power, sometimes called "hot" laser) and Class IIIb (lower-power, "cold" laser) therapy. Red light therapy uses LEDs, not a laser, so the light used cannot cause eye damage.

How laser therapy provides support for pain for cats

Cold laser therapy differs from surgical lasers in that surgical lasers use many watts of power to cut through tissue. They’re often used for surgical incisions or to remove harmful issues.

In contrast, cold laser therapy uses about one watt or less to help cells heal. Instead of eliminating tissue, cold lasers and light therapy help relieve pain and muscle soreness without burning skin.

For example, Equine and Canine Light Therapy’s light therapy pads wrap around a cat’s back to provide it with all the benefits of red light therapy pads. Using 30 visible red (660 nm) and 36 near-infrared (850 nm) LED lights, the device wraps around the cat and velcros closed.

In just 15 minutes, a cat can receive quality red light therapy treatment without ever leaving their home. It really is that simple.

Benefits of cat laser treatment and red light therapy

Key benefits of cat laser treatment and red light therapy include the following:

• Reduced inflammation

• Faster wound healing

• Improved skin health

• Improved circulation

• Improved lymphatic drainage

• Calmer nerves

• Relief from pain

• Less stiffness after sleeping

• Increased energy and more play time

Let’s take a look at a few of the conditions that cat laser therapy and red light therapy can treat in cats.

Conditions commonly treated with laser and red light therapy

A few of the most common conditions that red light therapy for cats can support include the following:

• Soft-tissue injuries like bruises, sprains, or strains

• Skin conditions like hot spots or select forms of dermatitis

• Hip dysplasia

• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)

• Osteoarthritis and degenerative joint diseases

Worth noting is the fact that red light therapy and laser therapy won’t cure or eliminate issues, but they’re a useful supplemental treatment for faster recovery for specific conditions. We always recommend consulting your veterinary clinic for treatment solutions for more invasive, chronic conditions.

Safety considerations with cat laser therapy

Whether you own a dog or cat, keeping your pet’s comfort in mind is key when providing wound care treatment. Fortunately, with low-level laser and red light therapy, when used correctly, red light therapy is very safe for cats.

Cat red light therapy is non-invasive, pain-free, and doesn’t cause tissue damage. Nevertheless, a few safety considerations to keep in mind include:

• Light therapy shouldn’t be used over any areas of the body where cancer is suspected without first consulting your veterinary specialist.

• Avoid treating areas that are actively bleeding.

• Consult a veterinarian for a diagnosis before starting treatment. And, if severe pain or sudden changes occur, consider changing treatment plans and consulting your veterinarian.

“I’m convinced the red light therapy accelerated the healing process.” - Light therapy testimonial

“After getting the LED light pad in the mail, I began administering it to Barbara twice daily. After two days of the therapy, my prodding of her left front paw elicited her pushing back on my finger and extracting her claws, as if to grab hold of my finger.

The fourth day of therapy, I found her pawing at an insect on the floor with the injured leg. And after a week of therapy, she began to exert weight on the foot while walking, doing so with a limp.

I continued the therapy for another four weeks. Fast forward to today: Barbara has full use of her rear and front left legs, walking, running, and jumping freely.

Her front left leg seems to have a slight hitch in it, pushing outward a little more than her right knee when she walks. But she has full use of it and seems just fine. I’m convinced the light therapy healed her leg, or at least accelerated the healing process,” says Devin D., cat red light therapy customer.

Where to purchase red light therapy for cats

If you’re anything like Devin, you’re probably wondering where you can purchase red light therapy devices for cats. You can find red light therapy for cats at brick-and-mortar pet shops, digital storefronts, and online retailers.

For example, at Equine and Canine Light Therapy, we sell light therapy pads, kits, and accessories, large and small, for horses, dogs, cats, and household pets. If you’re looking for red light therapy pads, kits, accessories, or parts, our team likely has it in stock.

For more than 20 years, we’ve been the world’s go-to provider for equine, canine, and feline red light therapy support.

To shop our entire collection of cat red light therapy devices, or to inquire about making a purchase over the phone, we invite you to shop online or call us at (615) 293-3025.

We look forward to helping you and your furry friend live their best life. Until then, be well, and we look forward to talking with you soon!

Frequently asked questions about red light therapy for cats

1. What does cat red light therapy feel like?

Most cats experience a gentle warming sensation. Many cats even roll over, fall asleep, or begin to purr, as the experience is very gentle and comforting.

2. Can cat red light therapy help relieve pain?

It sure can. Cat red light therapy is useful for a number of acute and chronic surface wounds, inflammatory conditions, and muscle soreness.

3. How often should I use cat red light therapy?

We recommend giving your cat red light therapy about three to five times per week, with each session lasting anywhere from five to 15 minutes. Nevertheless, treatment times will vary, as your cat may ask for more or less time depending on the day.

What’s important is to stay consistent. Delivering consistent therapy will help your cat heal and recover.

🐎🐶Equine and Canine Light Therapy: Red Light Therapy for Pets Large and Small!😸