About the research on this page. The studies cited here investigate photobiomodulation (PBM) as a therapeutic modality and the specific wavelengths used in PBM research — not Mito Red Light devices. The wavelengths in our panels were chosen because the peer-reviewed PBM literature supports them. Evidence levels and study counts reflect the broader research base, not studies of our products. See the full methodology note at the bottom of this page.

Red Light Therapy in Veterinary & Emerging Research: Clinical Evidence

84 StudiesPhotobiomodulation (PBM) Source-linked

What the research shows

Our evidence rating: Low to moderate; trials are smallUpdated Reviewed by Alexis Cowan, PhD

Laser and light therapy is widely used in veterinary practice, but the evidence is mixed. A 2023 systematic review of 45 studies in dogs, cats and horses found conflicting results and no consensus on treatment settings (Millis 2023). Some randomized trials in dogs are positive: in 40 dogs with osteoarthritis, light therapy improved pain scores, function and range of motion for up to 90 days (Alves 2022), and in chronic wounds it increased the reduction in wound area at 15 days (Hoisang 2021). A small trial of contaminated wounds found lower bacterial counts at 2 J/cm² (Rico-Holgado 2021).

Other dog studies are null. In acral lick dermatitis, adding laser did not improve lesion size or severity, although hair regrowth increased (Schnedeker 2021). After cruciate ligament surgery, evidence that laser improves bone healing is inconclusive (Moore 2025).

Based on 84 indexed studies in this category. These studies test photobiomodulation in general, not Mito Red Light devices.

Key studies: Veterinary & Emerging Research

The strongest human evidence: systematic reviews and meta-analyses first, then the newest randomized trials. Each card comes straight from our study database and links to the paper.

Systematic review

A Systematic Literature Review of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: Laser Therapy

et al., Animals (Basel), 2023. PMID 36830454

Key finding (checked against the abstract)45 studies in dogs, cats and horses. Conflicting results and no consensus on protocols, partly because of widely varying parameters.
Population
Animal
Systematic review

Does LLLT improve radiographic healing for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture undergoing TPLO surgery?

et al., Vet Evid, 2025. PMID 42006389

Key finding (checked against the abstract)Review of dogs after cruciate ligament surgery (TPLO). Evidence that laser improves radiographic bone healing is inconclusive.
Population
Systematic review / "Knowledge summary"
RCT

Assessment of wound area reduction on chronic wounds in dogs with photobiomodulation therapy: A randomized controlled clinical trial

et al., Vet World, 2021. PMID 34566346

Key finding (checked against the abstract)Randomized trial in dogs with chronic wounds. Wound area fell more with 830 nm light than in controls at 15 days.
Population
Dog: randomized trial
Wavelength
830, 660, 875, 905 nm
RCT

Is low-level laser therapy useful as an adjunctive treatment for canine acral lick dermatitis? A randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study

et al., Vet Dermatol, 2021. PMID 33471429

Key finding (checked against the abstract)Randomized double-blind trial, 13 dogs with acral lick dermatitis. No difference in lesion size or severity; hair regrowth was 24% greater.
Population
Dog: randomized trial, double-blind
Wavelength
470+640+(?)nm
Dose
3.93 J/cm²
RCT

Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Bacterial Counts of Contaminated Traumatic Wounds in Dogs

et al., J Lasers Med Sci, 2021. PMID 35155163

Key finding (checked against the abstract)Randomized pilot trial, 14 dogs with contaminated wounds. Lower bacterial counts and better wound scores at 2 J/cm² versus placebo.
Population
Dog (clinical): 14 participants; randomized trial, sham-controlled
Wavelength
660+800+905+970nm
Dose
2 6 J/cm²
Animal study

A randomized double-blinded controlled trial on the effects of photobiomodulation therapy in dogs with osteoarthritis

et al., Am J Vet Res, 2022. PMID 35895799

Key finding (checked against the abstract)Double-blind randomized trial, 20 dogs with hip osteoarthritis (40 hips), light therapy compared with meloxicam. Better pain, function and gait scores from day 8 to day 30; range of motion improved through day 90.
Population
Dog (n = 20; 40 hips)

Studies that found no effect

Not every trial is positive. "No effect" means the main outcome did not differ from sham or control. "Mixed" means some outcomes improved but the outcome named here did not differ.

YearStudyDesignResultOutcome with no difference
2025 Does LLLT improve radiographic healing for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture undergoing TPLO surgery? Systematic review No effect Radiographic bone healing in dogs (inconclusive)
2021 Is low-level laser therapy useful as an adjunctive treatment for canine acral lick dermatitis? A randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study RCT No effect Licking score (primary outcome) and lesion size in dogs; hair regrowth improved

What the evidence does not show

  • Consistent results across veterinary uses: the 45-study review found conflicting results and no agreed protocol (Millis 2023, PMID 36830454).
  • Better bone healing after cruciate ligament surgery in dogs: evidence is inconclusive (Moore 2025, PMID 42006389).
  • Smaller acral lick dermatitis lesions: no difference from conventional therapy alone (Schnedeker 2021, PMID 33471429).

Frequently asked questions

Does red light therapy help dogs with arthritis?

In a double-blind randomized trial of 40 dogs with osteoarthritis, light therapy improved pain scores, function and range of motion for up to 90 days (Alves 2022).

Does it help wounds in dogs?

In a randomized trial, chronic wounds shrank more with light therapy at 15 days (Hoisang 2021), and a small trial found lower bacterial counts in contaminated wounds (Rico-Holgado 2021).

Is the veterinary evidence strong?

Not yet. A review of 45 studies found conflicting results and no consensus on settings (Millis 2023).

Browse All Veterinary & Emerging Research Studies

All 84 studies in this category from our study database, built on the PBM Research Database by Vladimir Heiskanen.

Search every study across all categories: Open the Full Evidence Explorer →

Methodology & important context

The published research indexed and referenced on this page studies photobiomodulation (PBM) as a therapeutic modality and the specific wavelengths used in those studies — not Mito Red Light devices specifically. The wavelengths used across our panels were chosen because the peer-reviewed PBM literature supports them: this is where published evidence is deepest, where dosing parameters have been characterized in human studies, and where clinical guidelines (such as WALT for inflammation and pain) exist. Mito Red Light has not funded or conducted registered clinical trials on our specific devices, and the study counts referenced here reflect the broader PBM research base — not studies of our products.

Where review authors graded certainty (for example with GRADE), we report their grade; other ratings are Mito’s summary. Study counts reflect peer-reviewed photobiomodulation research drawn from major scientific literature databases, peer-reviewed journals, and other published research repositories. PBM response varies meaningfully by person, tissue, condition, dose, wavelength, and session timing; outcomes reported in the published literature may not be replicable for every user. Mito Red Light devices are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition or are under a physician’s care, please consult your healthcare provider before beginning any photobiomodulation regimen.