Red (and infrared) light therapy is an active and well studied scientific field, dubbed the ‘photosynthesis of humans’. Also known as; photobiomodulation, LLLT, led therapy and others – light therapy seems to have a broad range of applications. It supports general health, but also treats various conditions.
It’s not only humans that benefit though, with animals of all types being studied. Lab rats/mice are studied by far the most, with dogs, horses and others receiving a lot of attention too.
Animals proven to respond well to red light
The effects of red light on biology has been studied across a wide range of animals, and has been integrated into veterinary practices for decades.
While the exact specifics of treatment (dose, wavelength, protocol) aren’t fully agreed on yet, below are some different animals proven to respond positively to light therapy:
Chicken / hens
Red light actually seems essential to egg producing hens, as studies implicate it in activating the reproductive axis. Hens under red light produce eggs earlier, and then more, for longer, than hens without red wavelengths of light.
Other studies on broiler (meat) chicken shows a similar health benefit – the chickens reared under red light saw most growth of their body and had the least movement problems..
Cows
Dairy cows can suffer from various issues that prevent optimal milk production. Various studies have been done using red light to treat wounded teats in dairy cattle. The studies noted significant improvement in the healing process, including less inflammation and faster skin regeneration. The cows can get back to producing healthy milk sooner.
Dogs
Dogs are one of the most well studied animals in light therapy studies. Only rats are more well studied.
The variety of issues looked at include; healing after heart attacks, hair regrowth, recovery after surgery of the spine, chronic wound healing and a lot more. Much like in human studies, the results seem positive over a wide range of conditions & doses. Light therapy may be useful for all common dog skin issues and for areas of acute and chronic pain. Canine light therapy treatment by vets is increasing in popularity, as is at-home treatment.
Ducks
Ducks seem to respond positively to red light much like chickens – with better growth and weight, better movement and signs of vitaltiy . Blue light seems to be harmful to ducks, much like how it can be for humans and other animals. Unlike other studies of light therapy, these duck and chicken studies use constant light exposure rather than segmented therapy sessions. They have positive results nonetheless.
Geese
Mirroring the duck and chicken results, geese seem to benefit from red only light exposure. One recent randomised study showed big benefits to reproductive function / egg production. The geese under red LEDs had longer laying periods and higher total egg numbers (compared to white or blue LEDs).
Hamster
Hamsters are very well studied in the light therapy field, much like rats and mice. A wide variety of studies point to anit-inflammatory effects, such as in mouth ulcers, which heal faster and with less pain with hamsters undergoing red light therapy and also things like surgically induced wounds which heal much faster with red light compared to controls.
Horses
Horses have received a lot of attention with red light therapy. Typically referred to as ‘equine light therapy’, various vets and professionals use red lasers/LEDs for treating a wide range of common horse problems. A lot of the literature looks at chronic pain in horses, which is surprisingly common in older horses. Treating the problematic area directly seems to be greatly beneficial over time. Like in other animals, wound healing is an easily studied area. Again, skin wounds of all types in the body of horses heals faster than controls in studies.
Pigs
Pigs are fairly well studied in the light therapy literature. A recent study looked specifically at the systemic effects of light therapy on pigs – a study that potentially translates to dogs, humans and other animals. The scientists applied red light to the bone marrow of a pig’s leg shortly after a full-on heart attack, which in turn was shown to improve heart function and reduce scarring. Red light can also be used to heal skin in pigs following damage, in addition to various other problems.
Rabbits
Red LEDs have been shown to, amongst other things, prevent osteoarthritis in rabbits to some extent, even when used in low doses for only 10 mins a day. Much like in pigs and humans, there is evidence of a broader systemic effect in rabbits from appropriate red light exposure. A study showed that red light into the mouth following implant surgery (which is shown to heal gums and bones in the mouth) actually boosts thyroid hormone production, ultimately leading to a broad beneficial effect across the entire body.
Reptiles
Some basic evidence exists of direct red light therapy helping to boost function in snakes and lizards. Reptiles, being cold-blooded, typically need external heat to survive, something which infrared light can provide. Much like birds, any sort of reptile will be healthier under red light (compared to other colours), provided it comes with enough heat.
Snails
Even stranger types of animals such as molluscs seem to benefit from red light, with basic studies confirming that snails and slugs all love red light, migrating towards it over other colours.