Red light therapy works wonders for humans, this we know. But how does it work on animals? Is it safe? Is it effective?

Let's dive in.

Similar to humans, energetic animals are prone to injuries, inflammation, breaks, sprains and cuts. Not to mention muscle and joint pain and arthritis. Trips to the vet can quickly become rather costly as surgeries, medications and other treatments can rack up a big bill. 

In the same way that many humans are shifting towards non-invasive, holistic, effective treatments for illness, disease and other injuries, animal owners are too. With a lot of people being open to alternative therapies for their beloved pets. 

Kala's red light therapy devices are a highly effective and safe treatment for pets. You may be surprised to learn that some veterinarians, animal naturopaths and pet owners have already been using our red light therapy devices to heal their furry family members. Kala's warm, therapeutic, soothing wavelengths have become a house-hold favourite among many pets North American wide. 

Red light therapy can help your pet with a vast amount of issues such as:

• Joint pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Sore muscles
• Wounds and cuts
• Infections
• Inflammation
• Ligament and tendon injuries
• Strains and sprains
• Pain
• Muscle regeneration

Consistent use of Kala red light devices also promises preventative benefits for your pet and animals alike. Our advanced, 650nm red and 850nm infrared light wavelengths helps keep joints, muscles and tissue healthy by promoting cellular regeneration and reducing inflammation.

How Does Red Light Therapy Work on Animals?

Red light therapy works on animals in much the same way that it works on humans. Nearly all forms of life benefit from red and near-infrared light exposure when it is administered with consistent use.

Light wavelengths within the range of 600nm to 1000nm impact on cellular mitochondria, where energy is generated. Red and near-infrared light wavelengths increase the production of cellular energy. This increase occurs because the light wavelengths facilitate the production of cytochrome c oxidase, a protein which is essential for the creation of energy. Cytochrome c oxidase is present in nearly all species.

Energized cells perform their normal functions faster and more effectively, enabling improved functioning, healing and recovery, and better overall health.

The Studies

There is some research we have in the red light space are actually studies performed on rats and mice, commonly known as pre-clinical trials.

Additionally, there is already an impressive range of scientific literature documenting the advantages of red light therapy for other animals as diverse as chickens, pigs, cows, fish, and even worms. Some of the most commonly studied animals are dogs, cats, and horses. 

Red Light Therapy for Dogs

A 2017 study evaluated the effects of preoperative red light therapy on dogs undergoing bone surgery. Twenty-seven dogs were divided into two groups, one of which received the red light treatment pre-operatively, the other of which received a placebo treatment. Eight a few weeks of consistent treatments, a greater proportion of the dogs treated with light therapy had healed. These findings were supported by another study which found near-infrared wavelengths significantly accelerated bone healing in dogs.

Red light therapy also looks very promising for enhancing recovery of dogs with herniated discs. Dogs which received postoperative red light therapy daily for five days were able to walk sooner than those which hadn’t received the light treatment.

The Evidence is Real

A study carried out on fourteen horses in 1987 found that infrared light therapy alleviated chronic back pain. The horses had been unable to perform at their expected standards due to longterm back pain. They had received little benefit from other therapies. They received a light therapy treatment weekly, for an average of 11 weeks.

Ten of the fourteen horses experienced an improvement in their back pain that was so significant they were able to return to training and competing. At the one-year follow-up, nine of these ten horses continued to perform well. 

Another study found that horses with soft tissue injuries heal significantly faster when treated with a red light wavelength of 635nm. Wounds were made in the mid-metacarpal region of the legs of eight horses. After eighty days, horses treated with the red light had fully healed, while those in the control group (which hadn’t received the treatment)  were still in the process of healing.

The study’s authors examined that red light therapy did in-fact promote tissue regeneration while reducing inflammation and pain in the horses. Kala Devices use customizable frequencies to promote healing, inflammation and recovery. You can read about the Kala Pulse Recovery+ Mode here.

Clinically Proven

It’s undeniable that scientific studies offer valuable factual proof that red light therapy assists in healing in both humans and animals. With thousands of clinical, unbiased studies reiterating the therapeutic benefits of red light therapy, the debate is evident. Red light therapy works. Not all devices are created equal, it's important to get a device that has 0 EMF and high irradiance. Kala devices have 0 EMF from up to 6" away making it the safest device in the industry. Not to mention, its high-powered irradiance provides effective treatments. 

So, what now?

The Kala team suggests you reach out to your vet to find out their opinion before you begin using red light therapy on your animal. However, it is a proven safe, non-invasive treatment for an array of conditions. 

Once you have received the green light to go ahead, there are a few practical matters to consider. As animals respond to light therapy in much the same way as humans, longer sessions are not needed. Consistent treatments of 10-minutes daily are optimal. More light and longer sessions isn't always better. 

Smaller sized animals may need less exposure to light, while larger animals are likely to benefit from higher exposure to light. Fur should not result in less effective treatments, but it is important to be 6" away rather than further as it may hinder absorption. Consistent daily sessions are very important for optimal results and benefits.

Most felines enjoy warmth, chances are, you're furry friend will love his/her Kala light just as much as you! It's calming, warm sensations will have your animal relaxed, sleepy and recovering.

If you’re already using Kala red light therapy devices for your own health, you can also use flip it over to your pet to try. Most pets appear comfortable around red and near-infrared light wavelengths, especially if their devoted owners are providing them with lots of attention and love during their treatment. Additionally,  due to animals limited colour perception, they are less sensitive to the high powered red light device. 

If you’re trying to target a very specific, targeted area, shaving your pets fur can be optimal. However, this is not necessarily needed as our Kala devices have 1:1 red and NIR light which can penetrate the skin and reach deeper layers of muscle tissue. Helping heal your pets muscles, joints, ligaments and connective tissue.

Share the love of red and infrared light therapy with your pet to help them recover from an array of different conditions.

Get back to those long winter walks and pain-free living!