When your pet is in pain, finding the right treatment for their needs can feel like a giant puzzle. The good news is that whether your pet struggles with joint pain, is recovering from surgery, or even experiences mild inflammation, red light therapy may help. In fact, the best red light therapy for dogs at home tends to be more accessible (and affordable) than you might think.
Equine and Canine Light Therapy here: Over the past 25 years, we’ve worked with hundreds of dog owners to provide quality red light therapy that helps dogs recover safely at home. If you’re looking for the best red light therapy devices for dogs at home, you’ve come to the right place.
In this short round-up, we’ll walk you through what red light therapy for dogs at home is, how it works, which factors make a red light therapy device effective for dogs at home, and commonly asked questions related to red light therapy.
Grab your favorite notetaker or tablet device, and get ready to take notes. This is the best red light therapy for dogs at home.
What is laser therapy and red light therapy for pets?
You may have heard of the term “laser therapy” in the past, including treating dogs with arthritis using red light therapy, helping dogs with hip dysplasia, and helping dogs recover from soft tissue injuries.
Pet owners: Red light therapy is a form of laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or cold laser therapy. This therapy uses light to stimulate cells, reduce inflammation, and support healing from surgeries and chronic pain.
Many non-laser at-home devices even allow your furry friend to continue therapy between their normal veterinarian visits. Pet owners can help their furry friends recover and maintain mobility between each visit, making it a smart and efficient wellness offering for many dog owners.
How does red light therapy for dogs at home work?
Red light therapy, photobiomodulation (PBM), LED therapy, and near-infrared therapy: They all refer to the same therapeutic category of using light to stimulate cells that help heal the body.
Specifically for dogs, red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that harnesses specific wavelengths of red and near infrared light to stimulate cellular activity, manage pain, accelerate healing, and reduce inflammation.
Red light therapy works by penetrating your furry friend’s skin and light-sensitive ion channels in each cell. The process of penetration triggers the following body responses:
-
Increased blood circulation
-
Increased collagen production
-
Increased cellular repair
When a person applies 660 nanometers (nm) and 810-850 nm wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to a dog’s skin, the light stimulates the body’s mitochondria’s enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase. Cytochrome c oxidase then enables more efficient adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, the latter being the cell’s proverbial fuel and energy.
When the extra ATP “fuel” is added to the cell, it helps cells accelerate healing, reduce inflammation, support wound healing, and help improve the overall quality of life for dogs.
5 Best red light therapy options for dogs at home
Now that we have a better understanding of the mechanisms, the “how” of red light therapy, let’s take a look at some of the factors that make up the “what” — specifically, what constitutes the best red light therapy options for dogs at home.
|
1. Light therapy pads
Some of the best red light therapy products for dogs at home include light therapy pads. Light therapy pads are pads that are fitted with light emitting diodes (LEDs), each containing two different wavelengths of light, velcro strips, a power adapter, cord, and dozens of near-infrared and red light LED lights.
The best red light therapy treatments often make use of light therapy pads because of their versatility as a product. Use the pad on your pet’s back, shoulder, neck, leg, or head.
We like pads because they often use unbreakable loop material that adheres to velcro, keeping the pad in place throughout treatment.
2. Professional light therapy kits
Healthcare providers and multi-animal households: Professional light therapy kits include it all.
-
Multiple light therapy pads in small, medium, and large sizes
-
A rechargeable battery pack
-
Power supplies
-
Velcro straps
-
Aluminum foam-lined carrying case
Many veterinary specialists opt for professional light therapy kits as part of their supplemental treatment regimens for dogs and cats. What’s more, for families with more than one pet, professional light therapy kits can be a handy addition to help keep furry family members healthy for all of life’s stages.
Whether supporting an older dog with arthritis and joint pain, or an active young pup with a little muscle stiffness, professional light therapy kits are versatile and include everything you need to treat your canine friend.
3. Red light therapy laser device combo kits
For those who are looking for multiple kits or who want to treat multiple areas at the same time, combination kits can come in handy. Many pet owners choose combo kits when they’re looking to purchase more than one of the same red light therapy pad without the extra weight involved with a professional kit.
For example, combo kits often come with twice as many accessories, power supplies, and light therapy pads as a standard red light therapy product. Plus, vendors often can create custom kits for you if you can’t find a kit that fits your herd or pack’s needs.
Custom combo kits often include two light therapy pads, so they’re an exceptional investment for those with animals with multiple needs.
4. Laser therapy-based handheld devices
Laser therapy-based handheld devices are all about spot treatment. Great for treating small areas with precision, handheld laser-therapy-based devices are some of the best devices for dogs at home, because they help stimulate cells, relieve pain, reduce swelling, and stimulate the immune system in acute trauma-like conditions.
These devices are especially helpful for treating chronic injuries or overuse reactions in smaller areas of a pet’s body. We think these devices are some of the best therapy devices for small pets because of their ability to deliver precision-style treatment.
5. Convenience accessories
The best red light therapy for dogs — devices, pads, and all — should provide convenient red light therapy accessories.
Whether you’re opting for a rechargeable battery pack, a surcingle with a battery pack clip-on holster, or extra elastic cotton bandages with velcro enclosures to support the light energy of your device, the right red light therapy devices are powered and supported by safe and effective accessories.
Tips for choosing the best red light therapy device for dogs
When making a selection for the right therapy devices for pets, we always recommend that you consult your veterinarian before starting a round of red light therapy treatment for your pet.
What’s more, the following tips can ease your pet’s transition into this new form of therapy.
-
Consider the size of the area you’re looking to treat: If you’re giving a large dog, say a Mastiff, red light therapy, buying a large pet red light therapy device would better suit them. Whereas, if you’re giving your little Chihuahua red light therapy, a small or itty-bitty red light pad might better suit their needs. Always keep in mind the size to achieve the best results.
-
Opt for a red light pad that’s user-friendly: Consider a red light therapy device manufacturer that uses simple controls and clear instructions.
-
The right red light devices are backed by extensive warranties and include supportive customer service: We always recommend opting for a brand with a full-support customer service team, a brand that produces each light pad with an extensive owner’s guide and manufacturer’s warranty, that is, in case you need to troubleshoot your device.
At the end of the day, the most effective therapy, regardless of the discipline, tends to come from knowledgeable, quality providers. The same goes for the best red light therapy devices.
Opting for brands that provide quality support, industry-grade craftsmanship, and top-notch customer service makes for quality photobiomodulation therapy.
Did you know?
Did you know that aside from osteoarthritis, pain relief, and chronic conditions like muscle strains and musculoskeletal injuries, red light therapy devices can help with loosening up tight muscles and treating hotspots?
Care to see what the treatment looks like? 👉🏼 Check out our friends at New Life Laser Therapy using our red light therapy pads on their adorable pup, Sprout.🌱🐶
Feel free to reach out to us or consult with your veterinarian about the benefits of red light therapy for your pup.
Need quality red light LED therapy devices for your furry friend?
Whether you’re looking for a device that resolves back pain in your cat or dog, or a handheld device that can help reduce pain from conditions like arthritis and intervertebral disc disease, the best red light therapy devices are backed by scientific, peer-reviewed research. Plus, they're versatile and can be used on a variety of animals from cats to dogs to lizards and more.
From horses to cats to dogs, if you’re looking for a quality red light therapy device for pets at home, we’d be happy to help.
Our red light therapy devices are built and backed by an extended warranty, have been in operation for more than 20 years, and are relied on by barrel racers, athletes, veterinarians, and pet owners across the globe (shoutout to our friends in Hungary).
If you’re looking for a red light therapy device that’s built to last and delivers quality, safe, and non-invasive therapy that can be administered at home, look no further. We invite you to shop our entire collection of red light therapy devices for animals.🎁💝
Until then, we wish you all the best in your quest for finding the right light therapy device for you and your furry friends’ needs.
🐎Equine and Canine Light Therapy: Non-Invasive Light Therapy for Animals Large and Small Since 1999🐶
