Red light therapy, also known as low-level light therapy and low-level laser therapy, is becoming increasingly popular for dogs and other pets.
It can help dogs with promoting cellular regeneration, relieving inflammation and pain, healing soft tissue injuries, and even reducing the symptoms of arthritis.
Let’s discuss how red-light therapy works for dogs and how you can use it on your canine friend.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work on Dogs?
The red-light therapy works on dogs in the same way it works on human beings. The light wavelengths of red and near-infrared light (ranging from 600 to 900 nanometers) penetrate dogs’ skin and impact cellular mitochondria.
It is where the cell energy is produced, and the light with a small wavelength promotes the production of cytochrome C oxidase in cells. It’s a type of protein that helps cells with the production of energy.
The higher the amount of cytochrome C oxidase protein, the more energy cells will produce, enabling better cell functionality, boosting skin recovery and healing process, and improving overall health. Red light therapy is beneficial for dogs if administered in a sustained manner.
How to Use Red Light Therapy on Dogs?
You can use the same red light therapy device for your dogs that you use for your own health. But there are red light therapy devices available on the market designed especially for pets. If you already have a red-light therapy device, you can use it for your dog, as both types of devices work similarly.
The best thing about canine light therapy is that your dog won’t need to undergo any formal training. You only need to direct the red light to the desired area to let the light penetrate deep into the dog’s skin.
Make sure that you follow the guidelines outlined by the device manufacturer about the safe distance. If you have a toy, small, or medium size dog, a three to five-minute red-light treatment session per day will suffice.
Whereas, if you have a large or giant dog breed, you can opt for longer sessions ranging from 10 to 20 minutes, just like humans. Additionally, if your dog isn’t feeling comfortable, don’t force it.
Science Behind Red Light Therapy for Dogs
There are several studies, showing that red LED light therapy helps dogs in multiple ways. For example, a study published in J-Stage Laser Therapy Journal suggests that red and near-infrared light therapy accelerated bone healing in dogs.
Another study published by the National Library of Medicine shows that low-light laser therapy can help dogs with chronic skin wounds.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy For Dogs
Other than helping dogs with natural pain relief and wound and bone helping, red light therapy for dogs can be used to treat:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Sore muscles
- Surgical scars
- Hip dysplasia
- Back pain
Final Words
Using red light therapy for dogs isn’t a difficult task. You can follow the same guidelines that you use to perform red light therapy for yourself.
The only difference is that the duration of each session will be short, especially in small dogs as compared to humans.