Paris Hilton Reportedly Credits Red Light Therapy for Her Dog’s Long Life.

Paris Hilton credits red light with extending her dog’s life. Here is what vets say about the viral pet wellness trend.

Paul Morigi

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If you already own a red light mask for your own glow-up routine, TikTok has probably shown you a dog wearing one too. The trend blew up after Paris Hilton credited red light with extending her Chihuahua’s life, and pet-specific wearables are now hitting the market. Here’s what vets actually say before you strap your device onto your dog.

Does red-light therapy actually work on dogs?

Vets say early results look promising for joint pain, chronic inflammation and some skin conditions, though research is still developing and consumer devices vary widely.

“Red light therapy for dogs, similarly to its use in humans, has shown promising results, particularly for helping ease joint pain and other chronic inflammation, promoting healing, and improving certain skin conditions,” Yana Sinkevich, founder and CEO of The Hearty Paw, told Newsweek. The technique, also called photobiomodulation, uses low levels of red and near-infrared light to target mitochondria at the cellular level.

What conditions can red-light therapy help in dogs?

The most-cited uses are joint pain, osteoarthritis, muscle soreness, wound healing and inflammatory skin conditions.

“Red light therapy is a form of photobiomodulation, which uses red/near-infrared light to trigger cellular changes, with goals to manage pain, reduce inflammation, and improve healing. When delivered by a veterinarian with a therapeutic laser, photobiomodulation may be helpful as an adjunct therapy to manage arthritis, wound healing, and certain other inflammatory conditions, and there is some peer-reviewed research in dogs to support this,” Dr. Liza Cahn, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance, told Newsweek.

Is red-light therapy safe for pets like cats and dogs?

It can be safe when a vet delivers it with a therapeutic laser. Consumer-grade devices are a different story, especially around the eyes.

“It’s important to understand that consumer-grade red-light therapy devices differ from those used in clinical settings,” Sinkevich told Artful Living, noting that red-light therapy for pets remains a novel treatment. Cahn drew the same line. “But this is quite different from red light masks or machines that are sold for home use. Such products are extremely variable, may be ineffective, and, in the worst cases, can cause harm to sensitive tissues such as the eyes,” she told Newsweek.

Can you use a human red-light face mask on your dog?

No, the mask on your bathroom counter was engineered for your face, not your Frenchie. Wavelengths, intensity and safety protocols were never calibrated for animal tissue or canine eyes.

“The wavelengths, intensity and treatment protocols aren’t standardized for canine tissue depth or conditions. Plus, you’re potentially exposing their eyes to light they’re not equipped to handle,” Dr. Lindsey Wendt, integrative veterinarian and founder of Crystal Lotus Veterinary Care, told the New York Post.

What did Paris Hilton say about red-light therapy for her dog?

Hilton credited red-light therapy with extending the life of her Chihuahua, Tinkerbell, to 25 years, a claim that helped launch the current pet trend and a wave of new product drops.

Hilton shared her story in a widely viewed Facebook reel, and owners started posting their own masked pups. Brands followed. Capillus launched dedicated pet wearables, the Pet Vest and Pet Joint Wrap, on September 16, 2026. Pet-specific devices generally run $300 to $700. The broader pet wellness market was valued at $227 billion in 2024 and is projected to surpass $400 billion by 2030, according to Intent Market Research.

What red-light device should you buy for a dog?

For owners set on trying at-home therapy, Wendt recommends consumer panels in the 630 to 850 nanometer range with sufficient power output. She’s clear that the basics of dog care matter more than any biohacking gadget.

“Feed them real food, keep them moving, manage their pain appropriately, and align with an integrative veterinarian or care team that can provide a precision medicine approach to their healthcare,” Wendt added.

This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.

This story was originally published September 28, 2026 at 3:03 PM with the headline “Paris Hilton’s Dog Allegedly Lived to 25 Thanks to Red Light Therapy and Vets Are Responding.”