From ancient Egyptians to the Romans and Greeks, the earliest civilisations have recognised the healing benefits of natural sunlight1,2. Using sunbaths and even ritualistic practices, many early cultures harnessed the effects of the sun known as heliotherapy, or phototherapy; to treat skin conditions, diseases and even psychological issues2,3. 

We know that nature, plants and animals alike, rely on the sun for survival. Be it for 

• Warmth
• plants to photosynthesise
•  reptiles and other ectotherms to regulate their metabolic function, 
• or simply getting the appropriate natural wavelengths of light and vitamin D to assist in growth, healing and survival. 

Anyone who has owned a lizard (like myself), would know that getting the appropriate amounts of sunlight or using the correct lights is vital for the healthy growth of your reptilian pet.

It seems, however, we often treat our furry pets very differently. In an evolutionary sense, the cats, dogs and horses we know today would have normally lived outdoors. If you have ever travelled to a developing nation like the Philippines, you may have noticed that despite being ragged, the island dogs that roam freely are incredibly resilient.

This is because they are gaining daily doses of dawn and dusk light, and not missing any of the benefits. In more developed countries like Australia and the US, our pets live a very different lifestyle. Cats, and often dogs, are inside for a significant portion of their day. Horses, live in great barns, wear coats and sometimes even wear sunscreen!

While this behaviour keeps our pets safe from disease and the elements, it also stops them absorbing healthy amounts of red and infrared light. 

Coupled with these lifestyle changes, our best friends are also extra susceptible to injury and disease due to breed issues (particularly purebreds), specific lifestyle choices such as limited exercise, or general strains and injuries to dogs and horses from showing, hunting, riding, racing, jumping etc.

It is therefore no real surprise that we are finding TLA redand infrared light therapy for pets products are greatly beneficial for our furry friends! In fact, veterinary clinics and pet physios are beginning to use red light therapy across the globe for the treatment of inflammation, injuries and other conditions. There are numerous clinical trials and studies that have demonstrated the positive effects of red and near infrared light therapy treatment on animals (see reference list below for examples). And there has been no ill effects recorded in any of the studies we have found either!

The best news is, you and your pets can benefit from the same red light therapy bands, pads and mats as you can. The red and infrared LED lights for pets, including dogs, cats and horses, are no different from the items you use and love yourself. This is because the beneficial wavelengths that heal us, also provide healing benefits to our animals. Although, you may want to consider the size of your therapy band or other TLA product depending on your planned uses.

Conclusion

So there you have it; red and infrared light therapy for pets can improve your best friends health and happiness. As the light therapy devices are designed to mimic the natural beneficial wavelengths of the sun (i.e. those red and near infrared wavelengths present at dawn and dusk), this is a natural treatment. Due to this, the applications to other pets and animals, really, could be endless. If you are unsure about strapping a light device (however low in power) to your animal, an alternative option is one of TLA’s panels, such as the small and handy travel kit. This small handheld device can give your pet the opportunity to move away from the light if they don’t like it. However, from experience, that’s unlikely!

The science speaks for itself, and lets not forget the endless research showing the benefits of red and infrared light therapy to humans as well1,2 (read more about infrared light therapy here!). The TLA products’ being multi-use is a huge benefit to us pet owners. If your dog pulls the lead as much as mine, you can then use it on your hips and shoulders after walking!

Further reading…

Want to know more? Below is a list of supplementary pieces I’ve written regarding horses, dogs and even cats! They will become available over the coming period so stay tuned!

Free your majestic horse from pain and inflammation; the safe and easy way

The doggy day spa: Red light treatment for your best friend

Sunbaking felines and red light therapy

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References

1 McDonagh AF. (2001) Phototherapy: from ancient Egypt to the new millennium. J Perinatol. 21 Suppl 1:S7-S12. doi: 10.1038/sj.jp.7210625

2 Kontoes, Paraskevas & Trelles, Mario & Calderhead, R Glen. (2006). Phototherapy: Medicine for the new Millennium. LASER THERAPY. 15. 161-170. 10.5978/islsm.15.161. 

3 Azeemi ST, Raza SM. (2005) A critical analysis of chromotherapy and its scientific evolution. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2(4):481-8. doi: 10.1093/ecam/neh137. PMID: 16322805; PMCID: PMC1297510.

4 Haussler, KK, Manchon, PT, Donnell, JR, and Frisbie, DD. (2020) Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Chiropractic Care on Back Pain in Quarter Horses, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 86: 102891

5 Yamada, H, Kameya, T, Abe, N, Miyahara, K. (2014) Low Level Laser Therapy In Horses, Laser Therapy. 1(1): 31-35

6 Gomez-Villamandos, R.J., Valenzuela, J.M.S., Calatrava, I.R., Gomez-Villamandos, J.C. and Jurado, I.A. (1995), HeNe laser therapy by fibroendoscopy in the mucosa of the equine upper airway. Lasers Surg. Med., 16: 184-188. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.1900160208

7 Zielińska P, Nicpoń J, Kiełbowicz Z, Soroko M, Dudek K, Zaborski D. (2020) Effects of High Intensity Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Tendon and Ligament Injuries in Performance Horses. Animals. 10(8):1327. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081327

8 Burla, JB, Bachmann, I, Hillmann, E, Westerath, HS (2016) The Effects of Coloured LED Light on Behaviour and Physiology in Healthy Horses, Open Biological Sciences Journal, 2: 1-16

9 Looney, A. L., Huntingford, J. L., Blaeser, L. L., & Mann, S. (2018). A randomized blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on canine elbow osteoarthritis. The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 59(9), 959–966.

10 Barale, L, Monticelli, P, Raviola, M, and Adami, C. (2020) Preliminary clinical experience of low-level laser therapy for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis-associated pain: A retrospective investigation on 17 dogs. Open Veterinary Journal. 10(1)

11 Perego, R., Proverbio, D., Zuccaro, A., & Spada, E. (2016). Low-level laser therapy: Case-control study in dogs with sterile pyogranulomatous pododermatitis. Veterinary world, 9(8), 882–887. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2016.882-887

12 Hoisang, S., Kampa, N., Seesupa, S., & Jitpean, S. (2021). Assessment of wound area reduction on chronic wounds in dogs with photobiomodulation therapy: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Veterinary world, 14(8), 2251–2259. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.2251-2259

13 Wardlaw, JL, Gazzola, KM, Wagoner, A, Brinkman, E, Burt, J, Butler, R., Gunter JM and Senter LH (2019) Laser Therapy for Incision Healing in 9 Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 5: 349  

14 Rogatko, CP, Baltzer, WI, Tennant, R. (2017)  Preoperative low level laser therapy in dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy: A blinded, prospective, randomized clinical trial. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol; 30(01): 46-53

15 Riegel, RJ and Godbold Jr., JC. (eds) (2017) Laser Therapy in Veterinary Medicine: Photobiomodulation. Wiley-Blackwell, USA. ISBN: 978-1-119-22011-4.

16 Squarzoni, P., Bani, D., Cialdai, F., and Monici, M. (2017). NIR laser therapy in the management of feline stomatitis. SM Dermatolog J, 3(3), 1021.

17 Nascimento, FF, Marques, VI, Crociolli, GC, Nicácio, GM, Nicácio, IPAG, Cassu, RN. (2019) Analgesic efficacy of laser acupuncture and electroacupuncture in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy, Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, Article ID 18-0744