6.6% to 20%: That’s the percentage of dogs who, based on referral data, have a form of arthritis in the United Kingdom, according to recent research.The same 2018 study states that the prevalence of arthritis in North American dogs older than one year ranges from 20% to 80%, with higher rates in those older than eight years. Given the worldwide prevalence of arthritis, an emerging supplemental treatment option is red light therapy for dogs with arthritis.
Red light therapy for dogs with arthritis can literally make the difference between a sad and scared dog and a confident and calm dog, regardless of age. If you’re curious to learn more about red light therapy for arthritis, particularly in dogs, you’ve come to the right place.
Our Equine & Canine Light Therapy pet red light therapy specialists culled the research and latest information to provide you with this short article about what red light therapy for dogs with arthritis is.
If you’re a dog owner looking for support for a dog with arthritis, you’ve come to the right place. In this short article, you’ll learn about the following canine arthritis- and red light therapy-related topics:
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What is red light therapy for dogs with arthritis?
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How can red light therapy help dogs with arthritis?
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The benefits and advantages of using red light therapy as a supplemental treatment for arthritis
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When you should speak with a veterinarian about arthritis in your dog (or pet)
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Where to find red light therapy devices that assist with caring for a dog or pet with arthritis
What is red light therapy for dogs with arthritis?
Red light therapy for dogs and pets is a safe, non-invasive supplemental treatment to traditional veterinary medicine.
Using therapeutic wavelengths of red and near-infrared light at both 660 nanometers (nm) and 810-850 nm to penetrate deep into joint tissues to stimulate cellular activity and healing, red light therapy is designed to support dogs with osteoarthritis and other forms of hip and joint pain.
After a few weeks of consistent use of red light therapy for dogs at home, many dogs find new energy, mobility, and comfort. With red and near-infrared light, owners of dogs with arthritis can help reduce the intensity of some of the most debilitating symptoms of canine osteoarthritis.
How can red light therapy help dogs with arthritis?
Red light therapy can help support dogs with arthritis by providing lasting relief from the soreness, aching, and joint pain involved with osteoarthritis.
Through the use of red and near-infrared light, light can reach deeper into tissues by activating the cell’s mitochondria, boosting a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a key element that supports the production, repair, and functioning of cells, muscles, and tissues.
The red and near-infrared light of red light therapy helps penetrate muscles, nerves, and joints to help reduce inflammation. The energy from the red light enters the muscles, joints, and bones, to stimulate capillary production, lymphatic activity, and reduce nervous system activation.
As a result, dogs can enjoy relief from the worst arthritis symptoms.
Benefits of red light therapy
Especially for dogs with arthritis, red light therapy is effective in managing pain and promoting healing for dogs and cats alike. What’s more, for dogs with joint issues, red light therapy can help improve comfort and mobility, support flexibility in stiff or sore areas, and provide pain relief.
For health and well-being, red light therapy can benefit dogs with arthritis in the following ways:
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The red and near-infrared light supports healthy cellular functioning
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Encourages collagen production
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Supports skin and soft tissue healing
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Can support joint pain from hip dysplasia to chronic conditions where ongoing treatment is needed
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Red light therapy can be used as a supplemental support treatment in recovery after surgery
Especially when used consistently as part of a comprehensive pain management treatment plan, red light therapy offers numerous benefits to aging canines with osteoarthritis, joint pain, and sensitive joints.
How to use red light therapy safely for dogs with arthritis
The best way to make the most of red light therapy sessions and to support the healing process for dogs with arthritis is by being consistent. When administering red light therapy to your pet, make sure to follow these key practices:
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Use the correct wavelength for each treatment session, specifically 660 nanometers and 850 nanometers.
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Opt for sessions 3-5 times a week, at about 15 minutes per session. Some days will be longer, and some days will be shorter. Your pet will let you know when they’re ready for more or all done.
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Apply the device directly to the affected area. It should have sufficient power to provide six to eight joules per centimeter squared.
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Some of the most effective red light therapy treatments are conducted in safe and comfortable spaces. At-home red light therapy, from the comfort of your home, offers senior dogs and anxious dogs a safe and familiar place to improve mobility and engage in the healing process.
The general rule of thumb is to follow your product’s manufacturer’s guidelines and to make sure red light penetrates the right areas at the right wavelength. As always, you can always reach out to your red light therapy provider or veterinary clinic for help on how to operate your device for your furry family member.
When to speak with a veterinarian
In certain situations, red and near infrared light therapy may not be as beneficial for dogs with severe arthritis and joint pain. For example, results may be more limited for dogs with:
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Advanced joint degeneration that has compromised the structure of the bones
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Severe cartilage loss or joint instability
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Conditions where arthritis isn’t the main cause of pain
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When you’re not able to maintain consistent red light therapy sessions
If you or your dog experience any of the above, we recommend speaking with a veterinarian — or at the very least, using red light therapy as an adjunctive therapeutic intervention. In fact, your veterinarian may prescribe other treatments, medications, or rehabilitation programs that may be better suited to improve the quality of life of your canine friend.
Nevertheless, if the goal is to manage pain and inflammation, when used consistently, red light therapy is a powerful tool for promoting comfort for conditions like arthritis and joint pain.
How to find supportive red light therapy devices for dogs with arthritis
The key to finding the right photobiomodulation therapy devices is by seeking out a reputable company with decades of experience developing red light therapy pads and products that harness light energy for all kinds of animals.
Whether you’re trying to treat lameness in a horse or a dog with hip dysplasia, you can find red light therapy devices online and by speaking with your trusted veterinarian. Nevertheless, you should always consult an expert and look for a team that can answer, in layman’s terms, this essential question: Why choose light therapy?
For example, our Equine & Canine Light Therapy red light therapy specialists have more than 25 years of experience engineering, designing, and testing red light therapy devices for animals. We’re committed to ensuring you have the right resources to understand the complex science and the benefits of red light therapy ((in layman’s terms).
Faster recovery starts with red light therapy. Faster recovery starts with Equine & Canine Light Therapy. Help your dog by giving them the gift of life.
If you’re looking for red light therapy devices that support your dog, feel free to contact us for information on where to buy the right low-level red light therapy device for your dog, how to use red light therapy, and any other questions you may have.
We’d be more than happy to help.
“To this very day, my dog no longer hurts” - Satisfied pet owner using red light therapy
My dog suffered a bone spur in his neck and had to be put on Tramadol and Prednisone for over a year, which was not helping one bit. One day, I saw this product and decided to buy it.
It said in the directions that it may not work as well with dogs on certain meds. So, my vet had recommended that we get my dog to have surgery on his neck.
That scared me to death.
So, I asked him if I could stop giving my dog his meds so I could try this light therapy. He said I sure could.
I did the 15-minute treatments, two times a day for 90 days.
To this very day, my dog no longer hurts.
He would fall asleep every time he received treatment. He liked it.
He is 10 years old now and doing great! Thanks to Equine Light Therapy, I also used it on my horse when he got a stone bruise on his foot.
I used it twice a day for 30 days, and my horse was healed.”
Equine & Canine Light Therapy:
Delivering Science-Backed Red Light Therapy Since 1999
