Samantha Thompson
1st October 2025 – 6 Minute Read
How Red and Near-Infrared Light Give Animal Cells an Energy Boost
So, how does this light actually work inside an animal’s body? The process has a scientific name: photobiomodulation (PBM). Think of it as using light to gently change how a cell behaves. The main target of this light is inside the mitochondria—you know, the tiny “power plants” inside every cell that are responsible for creating energy.
The Key Player: Cytochrome c Oxidase
Inside these cellular power plants, there’s a special enzyme (a type of protein that speeds up reactions) called Cytochrome c Oxidase (CCO). This enzyme is crucial because it’s the final step in the process that creates the cell’s main energy currency, called ATP.
Red and NIR light acts like a key that unlocks CCO’s potential. When CCO absorbs these light particles (photons), it wakes up and works much more efficiently. This kicks off a powerful chain reaction inside the cell:
- More Cellular Energy (ATP): With CCO working in high gear, the mitochondria can produce significantly more ATP. This gives the cell a surge of energy to do its job, whether that’s repairing damage, fighting inflammation, or just staying healthy.
- Reduced Oxidative Stress: Energy production naturally creates waste products called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause harmful inflammation and damage if they build up—a state known as oxidative stress. Light therapy helps tidy up this process, reducing the harmful “exhaust” and helping the cell return to a healthy balance.
- Better Blood Flow (Vasodilation): The light also encourages the release of a helpful signaling molecule called nitric oxide. This molecule tells tiny blood vessels to relax and widen (a process called vasodilation), which improves blood flow. This delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, further aiding the healing process.
What Red and Near Infrared Means for Your Animals
Because the mitochondria in animal cells work just like ours do, this whole energy-boosting process applies directly to horses, livestock, pets, and other animals.
Here are some of the real-world benefits:
- Faster Recovery & Better Performance: This is a game-changer for athletic animals like racehorses or agility dogs. Applying light to muscles and joints can help them bounce back faster after intense activity, reduce soreness, and improve their stamina by making their energy production more efficient.
- Accelerated Wound Healing: With more cellular energy (ATP) and better blood flow, the body’s repair crews can work faster. This means cuts, surgical incisions, and other injuries can heal more quickly.
- Reduced Pain and Inflammation: By calming down oxidative stress, light therapy has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. It’s widely used to manage chronic conditions like arthritis in older pets or tendonitis in working animals.
- Healthier Skin and Coat: Stimulating the cells in the skin can lead to a shinier coat and healthier skin, helping with issues like hot spots or allergies.
Getting Light Therapy Right for Animals: What to Keep in Mind
The science is solid, but the benefits depend on using the therapy correctly.
- Dosage is Everything: This is the most critical part. The effect is biphasic, which is a fancy way of saying:
- Too little light has no effect.
- The right amount provides a wonderful boost.
- Too much light can actually be counterproductive and slow healing down.
The correct dosage depends on the light’s power, how long you use it, and the color of light. What works for a dog’s sore hip is different from what a horse’s deep shoulder muscle needs.
- The Color of Light Matters: Different wavelengths (the specific shades of red and NIR) penetrate tissue differently. Deeper-penetrating NIR light is often better for deep muscle or joint issues in large animals.
- Acute vs. Chronic Issues: You might see faster, more dramatic results on a fresh injury (like a sprain), but light therapy is also excellent for managing long-term, chronic conditions like arthritis, providing consistent relief.
Summarising Using Light Therapy for Animals
In short, red and near-infrared light therapy benefits animals by supercharging their mitochondria. This gives their cells more energy to heal, reduces inflammation, and improves blood flow. It’s a well-established tool in modern veterinary care, and when used properly, it can make a significant difference in an animal’s health and well-being.
FAQs: Red and Near-Infrared Light Therapy for Animals
What is Photobiomodulation (PBM) in Animals?
Photobiomodulation (PBM) commonly known as red light therapy for animals, is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. The primary mechanism of photobiomodulation is the absorption of light by the mitochondria within cells, leading to a boost in cellular energy and reduced inflammation.
Does Red Light Therapy Help Animals?
Yes, Red light therapy for animals works by targeting the mitochondria. The key light-absorbing molecule is an enzyme called Cytochrome c Oxidase (CCO). When CCO absorbs the light energy, it enhances the mitochondria’s ability to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the fundamental unit of cellular energy that powers all healing and repair functions in the body.
What are the Main Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Horses?
The benefits of red light therapy for horses are extensive, particularly for athletic animals. It is widely used to enhance recovery after training, reduce muscle soreness and inflammation, accelerate the healing of wounds and soft tissue injuries, and improve overall performance by increasing cellular energy production.
Can NIR Light therapy Help with Pain Management in Pets?
Yes, NIR light therapy is excellent for pain management in pets. By reducing oxidative stress and inflammation at the source, it provides a drug-free way to manage pain associated with conditions like arthritis, hip dysplasia, and tendonitis. The deep-penetrating wavelengths of NIR light are ideal for reaching inflamed joints and tissues.
Why is Dosage Critical in Veterinary Light Therapy?
Dosage is critical in veterinary light therapy because the treatment follows a biphasic dose response. This means that too little energy has no effect, the correct dosage provides optimal therapeutic benefits, and too much can be ineffective or even inhibitory. Proper dosage depends on factors like the animal’s size, the condition being treated, and the wavelength of the device.
What is the Difference Between Red Light and Near-Infrared (NIR) Light for Animal Treatment?
The main difference between red and near-infrared light is their penetration depth. Red light (around 660 nm) is beneficial for superficial issues like skin health and wound healing. Near-infrared light (800-900 nm) penetrates deeper into the body, making it more effective for treating deep muscle, joint, and bone problems in larger animals.
Is Light Therapy Safe for All Animals?
When used correctly, light therapy is safe for all animals, including dogs, cats, horses, and livestock. It is a non-invasive, painless, and drug-free modality. The key to safe application for all animals is using a device designed for veterinary use and following appropriate dosage guidelines for the specific species and condition.
How Does Light Therapy Accelerate Wound Healing in Animals?
Light therapy accelerates wound healing by giving cells the energy they need to repair themselves faster. The increase in ATP production fuels the cells involved in the healing process, while improved blood flow (vasodilation) delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the injured area, significantly speeding up recovery time.
Hoof Red Light Therapy Pad | Horses, Ponies and Cattle
References:
Photobiomodulation & Red Light Therapy – Mechanism of Action
- Karu, T.I. (2010). “Multiple roles of cytochrome c oxidase in mammalian cells under action of red and IR-A radiation.” IUBMB Life, 62:607-10. PMID: 20552641. Wiley Online Library and PubMed Foundational research on how cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) acts as a chromophore absorbing red and near-infrared light
- Chung, H., Dai, T., Sharma, S.K., Huang, Y.Y., Carroll, J.D., & Hamblin, M.R. (2012). “The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy.” Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 40:516-33. PMID: 22045511. Wiley Online Library and PubMed Comprehensive review of photobiomodulation mechanisms including increased ATP production and reduced oxidative stress
Red Light Therapy Applications in Equine Medicine
3. Michanek, P., Tatz, A.J., Fürst, A., von Rechenberg, B., & Fortier, L. (2021). “Effect of infrared and red monochromatic light on equine wound healing.” Equine Veterinary Journal, 53(4):739-747. PMID: 32285517. Wiley Online Library and PubMed Study investigating LED photobiomodulation (637nm and 956nm) effects on wound healing in horses, confirming cytochrome c oxidase as the mechanism Clinical study demonstrating pain relief benefits in horses using light therapy
Wavelength-Specific Information (660nm & 850nm)
4. General consensus from multiple sources: 660nm red light penetrates approximately 8-10mm into tissue, primarily affecting the epidermis and dermis, making it excellent for superficial treatments like wound healing and inflammation near the skin surface. 850nm near-infrared light penetrates 30-50mm, reaching muscles, tendons, and bones, making it ideal for deep tissue applications in large animals like horses How Deep Does Red Light Therapy Penetrate? Explained
Mitochondrial DNA & Maternal Inheritance in Horses
5. Cieslak, M., Pruvost, M., Benecke, N., et al. (2010). “Origin and History of Mitochondrial DNA Lineages in Domestic Horses.” PLOS ONE, 5(12):e15311. Demonstrates mtDNA’s strict maternal inheritance and its use in tracing horse lineages across generations and geographic regions PLOS and PubMed Central examining maternal lineages in horse breeding
6. Agbani, A., Aminou, O., Machmoum, M., et al. (2024). “A Systematic Literature Review of Mitochondrial DNA Analysis for Horse Genetic Diversity.” Animals, 14(6). PMC11939364. PubMed Central Reviews mtDNA use for tracing ancestry, validating maternal lineages, and identifying haplogroups in horses
