Is Red Light Therapy Safe for Dogs?

Photo by Collin Miller on Unsplash

Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation or low-level laser treatment, is a way to treat pain and improve blood flow by using red or near-infrared light. Red light therapy has been a popular treatment for people for a number of years.  

It is now being used in veterinary medicine, and many dog owners are wondering if it is safe and useful for their dogs. Red light therapy pads are becoming more popular as a way to help our beloved dogs feel less pain and heal faster when they are at home.  

In this blog post, we'll discuss the benefits of red light therapy for dogs at home and how this gentle, noninvasive method can improve their general health.

 

Benefits of Red Light Therapy on Dogs

Red light therapy has many benefits for dogs, which makes it a popular way to treat a number of conditions:

Non-Invasive

Red light treatment is a non-invasive method, which means it doesn't require surgery, cuts, or injections. Instead, it uses low-level red or near-infrared light to enter the skin and speed up the body's natural healing processes. 

Dogs who get red light therapy don't feel any pain or discomfort while they're getting it. The therapy is gentle and soothing, so most dogs can handle it, even those who don't like being touched or getting standard treatments.

Safe

When done right, red light treatment is thought to be safe for dogs. It is a non-toxic, drug-free, and non-thermal treatment, which means it does not hurt or damage organs. Also, this treatment has no known negative side effects. 

Successful

Research and clinical experience have shown that red light therapy for dogs is successful. It has been used to help treat a wide range of conditions, such as arthritis, musculoskeletal accidents, wound healing, skin problems, and even recovery from surgery. The therapy works by helping cells heal, reducing inflammation, and increasing blood flow. This helps the body heal faster and feels less pain. 

Red light therapy can also support the recovery of dogs with herniated discs. Dogs that received postoperative red light therapy daily for five days were able to walk sooner than those that hadn’t received the light treatment.  

Finally, red light therapy also supports the healing of dermatological issues in dogs. A 2016 study explored the use of red light treatment on dogs with pododermatitis. Pododermatitis is a common condition that appears as an inflamed lesion on a dog’s paw.  

Red light treatment can be used on different parts of a dog's body, which makes it a versatile way to heal your dog faster. Depending on the dog's needs, it can be used on certain joints or muscles, over wounds or cuts, and on skin areas. 

Reduced stress

As red light therapy isn't dangerous, it can be comforting for dogs that are nervous or scared of medical processes. Having the therapy done in a familiar place, like the dog's own home, can lower stress and make the whole experience better for the dog. 

Red light therapy can be used alone or with other treatments. In many cases, it works well with standard veterinary care and can help the animal get better faster.
 

Tips for Applying Red Light Therapy on Dogs 

When using red light therapy at home, it's important to follow the rules exactly to make sure the treatment is safe and effective. Here are some tips and rules to help you help your dog with red light therapy: 

• Clean and dry the affected area: Make sure the area to be treated is clean and dry before using red light treatment. If there are any wounds, clean them gently and follow your vet's advice to keep them from getting infected and help them heal faster. 

• Place the Red Light Therapy Device: Place the red light therapy device carefully over the hurt area. The manufacturer's directions will tell you how far away from your dog's skin you should hold the device. By keeping the right distance, the light will reach the face in the best way. 

• Turn on the Device: Follow the steps to turn on the red light therapy device. Some gadgets may have different settings or modes for different situations, so make sure you're using the right one for your dog. 

• Length of Treatment: The average length of treatment is between 5 and 20 minutes per visit. Follow the instructions that your vet or the company that made the device gives you. It's important not to use the therapy too much, since too much of it might not help at all or could even make things worse. 

• Treatment Frequency: The number of red light treatment sessions your dog needs will depend on what's wrong with him and how bad it is. Your vet will tell you how often you should give the treatment in order to get the best benefits. To get the most out of the therapy, it's important to stick to the suggested treatment schedule. 

• Watch Your Dog's Progress: Pay close attention to how your dog reacts to red light treatment. Watch how they move, how much pain they are in, and how their wounds are healing. If you have any worries or notice any strange responses, you should talk to your vet right away.

 

Bottom Line

Red light therapy is a safe and successful way to treat a number of health problems in dogs. It is a medicine that doesn't hurt and doesn't have any known side effects. Before you think about red light therapy for your dog, you should talk to your vet to find out if it is a good and safe choice for your furry friend. With a carefully thought-out treatment plan, red light therapy can help your dog feel less pain and heal faster.