Could Red Light Therapy Help Cats with Arthritis?

Many people think slowing down is simply part of getting older, but for cats, it can be a sign of arthritis.

Cats are experts at hiding pain. Unlike dogs, they rarely limp or cry out. Instead, they quietly adapt their behaviour, making it easy for owners to miss the early signs.

Research suggests that around 61% of cats aged six years and over have osteoarthritis, while around 90% of cats over the age of twelve show radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in at least one joint. Yet many owners never realise their cat is living with chronic pain because cats instinctively hide discomfort.

As someone who has used medical-grade LED red light therapy with both dogs and cats, I've seen first-hand how difficult it can be to recognise arthritis in cats—and how small improvements in mobility can make a big difference to their quality of life.

Recognising Arthritis in Cats

Arthritis is far more common than many owners realise. Because cats instinctively hide pain, many continue to eat, sleep and interact with their owners as normal, even when they have painful joints.

One of the reasons arthritis is often missed is because cats instinctively hide pain. Unlike dogs, they rarely limp or cry out. Instead, they quietly adapt their behaviour, meaning many owners don't realise there's a problem until the arthritis has become more advanced.

Rather than showing obvious signs of pain, an arthritic cat is more likely to:

• Jump onto furniture less often.
• Hesitate or struggle on the stairs.
• Sleep more than usual.
• Groom less, particularly around the back and hindquarters.
• Become less playful.
• Find it harder to get into the litter tray.
• Become quieter or more withdrawn.

Because these changes develop gradually, they're often dismissed as "just old age" when they may actually be signs of arthritis.

 How Is Arthritis Diagnosed and Treated?

• Veterinary examination
• X-rays if needed
• Weight management
• Pain relief
• Supplements
• Environmental changes
• Physiotherapy
• Red light therapy as a supportive option

If you suspect your cat has arthritis, the first step is always to arrange a veterinary examination. Many conditions can affect a cat's mobility, including injuries, neurological disorders and other joint diseases, so it's important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before starting treatment.

Your vet will usually begin by discussing your cat's medical history and any changes you've noticed at home. Because cats are experts at hiding pain, subtle changes such as jumping less often, avoiding the stairs or sleeping more can provide valuable clues.

During the examination, your vet will assess your cat's movement, check the range of motion in the joints and look for signs of pain or muscle loss. In some cases, X-rays may be recommended to help confirm the presence and severity of arthritis and to rule out other conditions.

Treatment Options

There is currently no cure for arthritis, but there are many ways to help improve your cat's comfort and quality of life.

Treatment may include:

• Pain-relieving medication prescribed by your vet to reduce discomfort.
• Weight management, as maintaining a healthy body weight reduces the strain on painful joints.
• Environmental changes, such as providing ramps or steps to favourite resting places, using low-sided litter trays and placing food, water and beds where they are easy to reach.
• Gentle exercise, encouraging your cat to keep moving without overexertion, which can help maintain muscle strength and joint flexibility.
• Joint supplements, which some vets may recommend as part of a long-term management plan.
• Supportive therapies, including physiotherapy, massage and medical-grade LED red light therapy, which some owners choose to use alongside conventional veterinary care.

A multimodal approach

Many veterinarians now recommend a multimodal approach to managing arthritis. This means combining several different treatments rather than relying on a single solution.

For example, a cat may benefit from pain medication, weight control, environmental adaptations and supportive therapies working together. The aim is to reduce pain, maintain mobility and help your cat continue to enjoy a good quality of life for as long as possible. This is what was recommended by my vet when my cat became arthritic.

In the next section, we'll take a closer look at one supportive therapy that has attracted increasing interest in both human and veterinary medicine—medical-grade LED red light therapy.

 Can Red Light Therapy Help Cats?

• what it is
• how it works
• why it's different from a heat lamp
• what research suggests 

What is red light therapy?

Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), uses specific wavelengths of visible red and near-infrared light. Unlike a heat lamp, it doesn't work by warming the skin. Instead, the light penetrates the tissues where it is absorbed by cells.

Medical-grade LED devices, such as the Photizo Vetcare, are designed to deliver precise wavelengths of light that have been studied for their potential to support the body's natural healing processes.

How does it work?

Inside every cell are tiny structures called mitochondria, often referred to as the cell's "powerhouses" because they produce the energy the body needs to function.

Research suggests that when specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light are absorbed by the mitochondria, they may help improve the production of cellular energy (ATP). This additional energy may support the repair and maintenance of healthy tissues.

Researchers have also investigated photobiomodulation for its potential to:

• Support the body's normal healing processes.
• Help reduce inflammation.
• Improve local circulation.
• Support healthy muscles, joints and soft tissues.

While research continues, many owners choose red light therapy as a supportive treatment alongside veterinary care.

Why isn't it just a heat lamp?

This is a common question.

Unlike heat therapy, medical-grade LED red light therapy doesn't rely on warming the tissues.

Although some devices may feel slightly warm after use, the benefits are believed to come from the interaction between specific wavelengths of light and the cells themselves—not from heat.

This means treatment is generally comfortable and well tolerated by many cats.

What does the research suggest?

Photobiomodulation has been studied in both human and veterinary medicine for a wide range of conditions involving pain, inflammation and tissue healing.

Although more research specifically involving cats is still needed, studies in veterinary medicine suggest that photobiomodulation may help support mobility and comfort when used as part of a broader treatment plan.

It's important to remember that every cat is different. Red light therapy should not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment, but many owners choose to use it alongside conventional care.

Why some cat owners choose the Photizo

One of the reasons some owners choose the Photizo Vetcare is that it is:

• Medical-grade.
• Lightweight and cordless.
• Quick to use.
• Designed for home use.
• Suitable for both dogs and cats. (and humans!)

For many cats, short treatment sessions are much easier to tolerate than longer treatments, making it practical to include in a daily routine as the Vetcare doses are only 31 seconds.

Real Experiences from Cat Owners

A customer's experience

One customer contacted me about her elderly Burmese cats who had become increasingly arthritic.

She explained that both her cats were struggling to manage the stairs and weren't moving around the house as confidently as before. One more than the other. 

After using the Photizo as part of her care routine, she reported that her Burmese became noticeably more mobile and was once again able to manage the stairs more comfortably.

While this is one owner's experience and every cat will respond differently, it reflects the type of improvements some owners hope to achieve when red light therapy is used alongside veterinary advice.

My own experience with cats

Having owned cats for many years, I've learned just how well they disguise discomfort.

A dog may obviously limp or avoid exercise. Cats are much more subtle. Sometimes the only clues are that they stop jumping onto a favourite chair, hesitate before climbing the stairs or spend more time sleeping than usual.

These small behavioural changes are often the first signs that something isn't quite right. 

Using red light therapy safely

If you are considering red light therapy for your cat:

• Always have persistent lameness or mobility problems checked by your vet.
• Introduce treatment gradually. We suggest with the Photizo that you start a few  centimetres away from the hair or red light flooding to start.
• Never shine the light directly into your cat's eyes.
• Keep sessions calm and allow your cat to move away if they choose.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for treatment times.

Is it worth trying?

Every cat is different, and no treatment can guarantee the same results. A Photizo home trial gives you the opportunity to see whether medical-grade LED red light therapy fits into your cat's care plan.

Some owners report noticeable improvements in mobility and comfort, while others see more subtle changes. Red light therapy should never replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment, but it may offer another option to support cats living with arthritis.

For owners looking for a non-invasive, drug-free addition to their cat's care, it is certainly an area that is attracting increasing interest. 

If you're considering medical-grade LED red light therapy for your cat but aren't sure whether it's the right option, you don't have to make an immediate purchase. Through Equestrian Hire, you can try a Photizo Vetcare at home before deciding whether to keep it. This gives you the opportunity to use the device in your own home and see how your cat responds before making a longer-term commitment.

Find out more about our Photizo Vetcare home trial here

About the author
Susannah Secrett is the founder of Equestrian Hire and has spent more than a decade helping horse and pet owners use medical-grade LED red light therapy at home. She has supported owners using the Photizo for conditions including arthritis, IVDD, soft tissue injuries and rehabilitation.