Have you ever thought about how your pets can also feel better with red light therapy, just like people do? It uses special red and near-infrared lights to make the cells in their bodies more active, fixing different problems and keeping them healthy.
Animals facing pain, inflammation, or mobility challenges such as arthritis can find relief through red light therapy. Additionally, it assists in addressing skin issues such as hot spots or eczema and supports the healing process after surgical procedures.
Here, we provide a detailed guide to help your pet animals on their healing journey and overall well-being using red light therapy. In this article, explore the mechanics of red light therapy, select the ideal device for your pet, and learn safe and effective usage.
Understanding Red Light Therapy for Animals
Red light therapy uses red and near-infrared wavelengths and targets cell mitochondria. This boosts adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and enhances blood flow, allowing animals and people alike to take full advantage of all the therapeutic benefits this therapy has to offer.
Consistent use of red light therapy ensures lasting benefits. It promotes deep cellular regeneration.
Scientists have extensively studied how red light affects the biology of numerous animals, and its applications have been seamlessly incorporated into veterinary practices for many years.
This 2018 study validates red light therapy as a reliable approach to boost cell energy and alleviate joint pain, arthritis, and age-related issues in pets.
Red light therapy is a painless, low-risk, and non-intrusive solution for canine pain management. It’s a comprehensive strategy for addressing arthritis, particularly prevalent in breeds like hounds and bulldogs.
As ongoing studies shed more light on this kind of therapy, it continues to emerge as a great way to enhance your pet's overall health and strength. Scientific literature extensively highlights red light therapy benefits for a variety of animals, including pigs, chickens, fish, and cows. Cats, dogs, and horses are among the most frequently studied species in this regard.
Let's explore the science that shows how red light therapy can help your pets feel better.
Dog Injury Healing
Red light therapy proves beneficial for various common skin problems in dogs and for managing both chronic and acute pain. Results may vary based on your dog's condition, but red light therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing scar tissue by enhancing circulation and oxygen delivery to the affected area. It also shows promise in increasing oxygenation, restoring damaged tissue, and fostering cellular regeneration.
Both dogs and cats consistently exhibit positive responses to red light therapy, experiencing relief from inflammation, injuries, and age-related problems. Like us, our canine companions are susceptible to inflammatory reactions to issues like cuts, sprains, and scratches.
For dogs, short 3 to 5-minute sessions, 2 to 3 times a day, offer various benefits like alleviating constipation, strengthening the immune system, and managing conditions from arthritis to skin issues. Red light therapy is versatile, aiding in issues such as nervous tension, pre-performance stimulation, and post-performance recovery across a range of canine health concerns.
Given that most dogs appreciate the warmth, it's likely that this will be a pleasant and comfortable experience for your dog during their healing process.
Horses
Much of the literature explores chronic pain in older horses, a surprisingly common issue, with direct treatment of the affected area showing significant long-term benefits. Similar to other animals, wound healing, especially in skin wounds, is extensively studied, consistently revealing faster healing in horses compared to control groups. Horses with soft tissue injuries demonstrated accelerated healing when exposed to a 635nm red light wavelength, as evidenced by a study involving eight horses with wounds in the mid-metacarpal region of their legs.
Poultry and Farm Animals
Research suggests that red light plays a crucial role in activating the reproductive axis in egg-producing hens, leading to earlier and prolonged egg production compared to those without red wavelengths. Similarly, studies on broiler chickens reveal health benefits, with those raised under red light exhibiting enhanced body growth and fewer movement issues.
Red light has been studied for treating wounded teats in dairy cattle, showing notable improvements in the healing process with reduced inflammation and faster skin regeneration, enabling cows to resume healthy milk production sooner.
Ducks also exhibit favorable responses to red light. They have shown improved growth, weight, movement, and vitality. Geese have also been found to benefit, with a study indicating significant improvements in reproductive function and egg production when red light was used compared to white or blue LEDs.
Implementing Light Therapy for Animals
Animals with thicker and darker fur may require longer or closer exposure to red light, as fur and hair can obstruct it. Suitable exposure to red light can bring benefits to both pets and farm animals. Dogs and cats generally find comfort in (infra)red LED/laser light due to its low heat output, and the treatment, free of pain and side effects.
Whether selecting a red light therapy device for your pet or yourself, Hooga offers options for targeted and full-body treatments. For optimal results, administer red light therapy daily or as advised by your veterinarian. Expect to observe improvements in your pet's health in a few weeks with consistent use.