Your dog is in pain, and you’ve tried everything. Massages, diet changes, anti-inflammatory supplements, and medication still don’t seem to work as well as you hoped. You’ve recently stumbled upon red light therapy for dogs at home.
Is it effective?
The research is clear: red light therapy can help your furry friends with a number of conditions, specifically joint pain, osteoarthritis, strains, sprains, sore muscles, injuries, and more.
If you’re looking for additional, yet effective therapy to anti-inflammatory supplements, massages, and diet changes, you’ve come to the right place.
With the right light therapy device, you can use red light therapy to help your furry friend stay healthy, active, and happy
In this article, our red light therapy specialists will provide the basics on red light therapy for dogs and how you can use it to treat your canine friend. We’ll also cover the following:
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What is red light laser therapy
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The benefits of using red light therapy on dogs
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The research behind red light therapy
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Key features of red light therapy devices for dogs
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How to use red light therapy devices to treat your dog
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Key safety information regarding red light therapy
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Key indicators that the therapy is working
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Next steps to take, that is, if you’re ready to try red light therapy for your dog
What’s red light therapy for dogs?
Red light therapy for canines and felines, more classically referred to as photobiomodulation (PBM), involves using red and near-infrared light to reduce inflammation and boost healing. The light energy helps target your furry friend’s cells at a mitochondrial level to help repair them and give your furry friend a boost in energy.
The mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell because they produce most of the cell’s energy through cellular respiration. In other words, the mitochondria help break down and convert food into usable energy.
For the above-mentioned reason, red light therapy helps support mitochondria to more effectively do their jobs and therefore support your dog’s well-being.
What are the benefits of red light therapy for dogs?
Some of the benefits of red light therapy for dogs and cats include:
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Relief from pain and continued healing: Red light therapy is used to help reduce inflammation and pain without the side effects of other treatments like medication.
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Added joint flexibility and health: Research studies suggest that red light therapy may help ease arthritis symptoms and improve quality of life for dogs with osteoarthritis.
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Skin health: Red light therapy may even support healing for skin infections and support the vitality of a dog’s coat.
Research studies suggest red light therapy helps
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Key features to look for in a red light therapy device
If you’re wondering how to ensure a safe, at-home setup for your dog, consider looking for the following key features in your red light therapy device:
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A device that emits therapeutic light: Specific wave lengths required are 660 nanometers (nm) and 850 nm.
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Sufficient output power: Just because a light therapy device glows red doesn’t mean it’s effective. The device should have sufficient power to provide six to eight joules per centimeter squared in a reasonable amount of time.
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Safety features: Ensure your red light therapy device has safety features like shock and electrocution protection, over voltage and A/C protection, short and over current protection, and max surface temperature specifications. Ideally, your device should comply with IEC 60601 international standards for medical devices.
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Ease of use: You’re busy; you shouldn’t have to read a book of instructions to use light therapy. The device should be very easy to use, require no complicated settings or configurations, and be relatively hands-free.
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Durable: The device should have a history of lasting a long time. It isn’t unreasonable to expect the device to last 10 years.
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Repairable: Let’s face it. Dogs like to chew on anything. Also, devices get dropped and stepped on from time to time. You don’t want to buy a new device every time the device is damaged.
When the time comes to administer treatment, you’ll have everything you and your dog need to experience a soothing, calm, and effective red light therapy session. Our Gospel’s Light Pads are engineered by red light therapy specialists to meet or exceed the above-mentioned features, and they’re safe and effective for use on dogs and horses of all different sizes.
Administering red light therapy to dogs at home
To help your pet feel their best, consider administering red light therapy to your furry friend in your home or alongside a veterinary specialist. Conducting the session at your home or with your trusted veterinarian are settings where your furry friend should ideally feel most comfortable.
Pet owners: when the time comes to administer red light therapy to your furry family members, here’s what you need to do to ensure the light penetrates and stimulates body tissue.
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Step 1: Choose a quiet, comfortable spot where your pet enjoys relaxing.
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Step 2: Lay the pad on the treatment area. You can use a towel over the pad to hold it in place. Step 3: Plug it in. That’s all you need to do. The pad will turn off automatically in about 15 minutes. Feel free to use it multiple times in multiple areas.
You can use red light therapy to reduce pain, to help treat soft tissue injuries, and reduce muscle strains.
Is red light therapy safe for dogs at home?
Yes. Red light therapy is safe for dogs at home.
Red light therapy devices use specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular activity for wound healing, mobility, and other wellness outcomes. To ensure the safety of your furry friend while using your red light therapy device, consider the following:
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Avoid direct eye contact: Red light may indeed help protect eyes, but prolonged eye contact is discouraged.
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Contact your local vet: We always recommend speaking with your veterinarian before beginning a series of red light therapy treatments for your dog. If your pet has a complex medical condition, always consult a professional veterinarian before moving forward with red light therapy treatments.
Nevertheless, red light therapy is often very helpful for and soothing to dogs.
Signs and signals that the therapy is working
So, how do you know it’s working?
You can tell that the red light therapy treatments provide relief and support if you notice any of the following in your dog:
✅ More energy, alertness, and general playfulness
✅ Less limping, stiffness, or discomfort
✅ Cheerful disposition and improved appetite
✅ More regular and restful sleep and recovery
Some pets find relief within a few days, while others experience optimal wellness after a few weeks. Regardless of your pet’s condition or recovery time, the goal is to create a space for wellness and healing, so that you can set the stage for a comfortable and restorative healing process for your dog.
“We’re seeing such a difference in his mobility.” - Red light therapy testimonial
“Lil man was so relaxed during these sessions at home. We are only on day 5, but we worked up from 5-minute sessions to a full 15-minute session today.
We’re seeing such a difference in his mobility and energy levels right from the morning. He’s stretching more fluidly.
Even just in coming out of his sleep overnight, he’s now doing army crawls and flipping upside down to rub his back on the rugs. It’s amazing that he’s noticeably feeling more limber in only a few days.
We’re excited to continue this progression so that he can work his way back to longer hikes/trails and play sessions without the soreness we had been seeing.”
These are the types of testimonials we receive about our light therapy devices and how they’ve helped our furry friends. Curious to see what they look like?
Check out all the furry fun on our Instagram here!
Final thoughts: ready to try red light therapy for your dog?
Whether your dog suffers from chronic pain, back pain, hip dysplasia, or other chronic conditions like arthritis and joint pain, red light therapy is a powerful tool for promoting pet wellness, improved mobility, and optimal well-being.
To achieve optimal results, we always recommend speaking or partnering with an expert in red light therapy, as well as your local veterinarian. If you ever have any questions about red light therapy, we’d be happy to help.
Our devices are engineered with research to meet or exceed all the benefits of the features mentioned above. With the aid of red light therapy specialists, we’ve designed a product we think you’ll love.
Our red light therapy specialists have more than 20 years of experience providing red light therapy support to animals large and small. Whether you own a dog, cat, or horse, we’ve got you covered when it comes to red light therapy.
For red light therapy products, shop our entire collection of red light therapy devices. We have the pad you need, no matter the size of the dog.
Plus, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on the purchase price of all single light therapy pads.
Have a specific question or comment about red light therapy? Contact us today, and we’d be happy to help you with all your red light therapy needs.
Until then, best of luck on your and your dog’s wellness journey. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about red light therapy for dogs
1. Which red light therapy pads should I buy for my dog?
It really depends on what area you need to treat. We have dog folks who purchase a Large Light Therapy pad so they can treat both hips at the same time!
The best thing to do is take a piece of paper, fold it to the size you’re most interested in, and then lay it over the area you wish to treat. You can then see if it is the best size for you.
For example, in our red light therapy product collection, the Itty Bitty is 9-1/2" x 4-1/2", the Small is 9-1/2" x 7", the Medium is 9-1/2" x 12", an inch wider and an inch longer than a standard sheet of paper, and the Large is 12" x 17".
Lay or wrap the sizes and see which one will best cover the area. Always let us know if you have additional questions.
2. Is there any way I should not use the Light Therapy Pad?
Never use it on a malignant tumor on any animal unless instructed by a qualified veterinarian.
Do not use it on pregnant dogs or the abdominal area, not because it’s harmful, but because we haven’t found consistent results on use of red light therapy on pregnant dogs. Therefore, we prefer to err on the side of caution.
Don't look directly into the lights. Don't shine the lights directly into the eyes of any animal (or person). Prolonged use of the lights directly into the eye may cause problems.
Caution must be used if photosensitive drugs, such as, but not limited to tetracycline, are being administered.
3. Should I stay with my dog while using red light therapy?
Absolutely! Never leave your animal unattended while using red light therapy.
Make sure your animal is in a place where they’re comfortable. Let your dog stand or lie down in a place that’s dry and clean, and where they’re comfortable and calm.
Equine Light Therapy: Harnessing the Power of Red Light Therapy Since 1999
