Best Red Light Therapy Devices for Dogs
Red light therapy first gained acclaim in the early ’90s, when it was used by researchers studying ways to grow plant life in outer space. During these experiments, scientists used red light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, which were found to promote photosynthesis and increase the rate at which plant stems grew. Pretty impressive!
But researchers were surprised to find that the lights they worked with appeared to help abrasions on their hands heal, too. These new findings launched eager study into other ways red light therapy could help people. Many believe it can treat everything from chronic pain to arthritis to cancer and that it will change modern medicine as we know it.
This is wonderful news for humans, but can it help our four-legged friends? Can red light therapy improve the health and wellness of dogs as well as people, and if so, what is the perfect red light therapy device to use?
Today, we’ll break down the existing research and help you find the best red light therapy device for dogs.
Red Light Therapy for Dogs
The benefits of red light therapy for people can theoretically be replicated for use in treating our canine companions. Though red light therapy is gaining popularity in veterinary medicine, there simply haven’t been enough clinical studies to truly understand the full potential of this technology.
When it comes to treating dogs specifically, red light therapy devices can:
- Heal wounds
- Reduce inflammation
- Increase circulation
- Ease joint pain
- Relax muscles
- Reduce stress
- Treat conditions like arthritis, hip dysplasia, tendinitis, bursitis, and chronic kidney disease
- Treat common canine skin conditions such as eczema, seborrhea, and psoriasis
- Promote hair growth
- Help heal surgical scars
- And more!
Because the use of red light therapy is fairly new for treating animals, the number of devices designed for dogs is limited, and standardized, objective methods for verifying the efficacy of devices don’t exist quite yet. To determine the best red light therapy device for dogs, you’ll need to pay close attention to each product’s specifications and user reviews.
Best Red Light Therapy Devices for Dogs
Interested in using red light therapy to help your furry friend? Below are six of the best red light therapy devices for dogs.
LumaSoothe Light Therapy for Pets
Priced just over $170, the most expensive handheld device on this list is the LumaSoothe Light Therapy device. This versatile treatment option features five wavelengths of non-invasive, low-level light: red, green, blue, yellow, and infrared.
The LoomaSoothe includes two treatment heads, or modules — one for Deep Treatment (DT) and one for Surface Treatment (ST). The Deep Treatment head promotes healing of chronic conditions that affect your dog’s muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and internal organs, while the Surface Treatment option soothes skin conditions, encourages hair growth, reduces inflammation, heals wounds, and kills surface bacteria.
According to over 600 customer reviews on Amazon, the LumaSoothe Light Therapy device has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, with 64% of those reviews being giving a full 5 stars. The LumaSoothe also ranks high on ease of use, comfort, value for the money, and overall pain relief.
Glowbie Crate
One of these things is not like the others! The largest red light therapy device on this list isn’t a handheld device at all — it’s a crate.
Glowbie is the world’s first functional red light therapy crate that delivers concentrated red and near-infrared (NIR) light wavelengths to your canine companion. Treatments sessions last only 15–20 minutes and improve mobility, inflammation, energy, arthritis, and itchiness. Made in the U.S. with highly durable HDPE polymer, Glowbie’s crate has an attractive design that will hold up over time. Some buyers use it as their primary crate!
While the Glowbie is the most expensive option on this list ($2,495–$2,995 depending on the size), it’s a worthwhile investment for pet owners who are interested in whole-body red light therapy in a stress-free environment for their dog. It could also be a better option for pets that won’t sit still through a full handheld light therapy session. Flexible payment options start as low as $87 each month.
SHINE VETLIGHT Red Light Therapy
The SHINE VETLIGHT Red Light Therapy device uses a combination of red light therapy and infrared light to treat common canine health conditions. The stainless steel frame is corrosion resistant and the compact device is cordless and easy to use, making the VETLIGHT the most durable and portable option on this list.
The manufacturing company is a family-owned business, recently celebrating 100,000 customers. Those who provided an Amazon review have collectively ranked this device a 4 out of 5 stars, with 54% of those reviews at 5 stars. In addition to praising the device’s results, reviewers frequently compliment the company’s excellent customer service.
The device comes with a one-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee. For about $100, the VETLIGHT is a fairly risk-free investment.
Bemix Pets: Infrared LED Light Therapy Device for Dogs and Cats
Tested and endorsed by the Diabetes Council, the Bemix Pets: Infrared LED Light Therapy Device uses low-level infrared light along with other wavelength options to provide both deep treatment and surface treatments.
The device sports three powerful treatment heads, each with its own benefit. The first uses green light and infrared light to provide deep treatment. The second features red, yellow, and purple light to treat skin conditions and help with anti-aging. The third uses red, green, and blue light to treat the surface of the skin.
The best part of this product may be the no-questions-asked lifetime warranty. The company claims that if the device doesn’t work for your dog, they’ll refund your money — no questions asked.
Amazon reviewers rate this device a 3.8 out of 5 stars, with 59% being 5-star reviews. At a mid-range price point of just under $150, some don’t believe the Bemix Pets is worth the cost, while others claim the product is the best red light therapy device for dogs. Perhaps worth noting, there are no 3-star reviews for this product.
iKeener Vet Device for Pets
The iKeener Vet Device for Pets boasts a user-friendly design anyone can use on their dog, no matter how young, old, or technologically inexperienced. This portable, cordless device features both red and infrared light, as well as a stainless steel frame and a convenient timer.
Another option at a mid-range price point ($139.99), the iKeener Vet Device for Pets has 3.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, but only 42% of reviewers gave this product a 5-star review. The majority of the reviews seem to be lukewarm on the effectiveness of the device, with the exception of a few whose dogs saw excellent results.
Bestqool Red Light Therapy for Pets
The Bestqool Red Light Therapy device features clinical-grade near-infrared light for deep tissue and muscle restoration. With a sleek, intuitive design, this portable device is registered with the FDA and has a 30-day return policy. A low price of just over $100 and a one-year warranty make this device a fairly risk-free purchase for treating your dog’s ailments.
The Bestqool Red Light Therapy device has 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon from over 150 reviewers, with 60% of those being 5-star reviews. It ranks high on features like ease of use, sturdiness, effective pain relief, and value for the money.
Additional Buying Tips for the Best Red Light Therapy Devices for Dogs
Sometimes, we hear from buyers who’ve found two or more listings on Amazon of red light therapy devices that look identical, but have different branding. This usually means the two products are made in the same factory, and may very well be the same product. They’ve just received different branding from different companies after leaving the factory.
When looking for the best red light therapy device for dogs, keep your eye out for this rare but very possible occurrence. If you spot one device with bad reviews, it’s likely the identical device with different branding will have the same problems.
To avoid becoming a victim of a marketing scheme, always start your search by sticking to credible sites — LightTherapy.org, for instance!