Ever finish a long walk drenched in sweat — then look at your dog and wonder, Do dogs even sweat at all? With warmer weather on the way, it’s the perfect time to understand how dogs cool themselves down and how you can help keep your pup safe in the heat.
Here’s what you need to know.
Do Dogs Sweat Like Humans?
No — not even close.
Humans have sweat glands all over our bodies, and when that moisture evaporates, it helps cool us down. Dogs, on the other hand, have fur that prevents sweat from evaporating the same way, so full-body sweating wouldn’t help them much anyway.
But they do have a specific type of sweat gland called merocrine glands, located in their paw pads. These activate when a dog is hot, but they play only a small role in cooling them down.
So How Do Dogs Cool Off?
Panting is a dog’s main cooling system.
Through a process called thermoregulation, panting allows moisture on the tongue, inside the mouth, and in the airways to evaporate — releasing heat and helping your dog stay comfortable.
So if your pup is panting in your warm apartment this summer, it’s probably time to turn on the AC.
How to Keep Your Dog Cool and Safe
Because their cooling system isn’t as efficient as ours, dogs can overheat quickly — and heatstroke is a very real danger. Here’s how to help your dog stay comfortable:
✔ Avoid exercise during peak heat
Walk or play early in the morning or later in the evening to ensure that it's the safest temperature out. Most heatstroke cases happen in the afternoon.
✔ Never leave your dog in a hot car
Even with windows cracked, temperatures can become deadly within minutes. Hot cars are the leading cause of heatstroke in dogs.
✔ Keep plenty of cold water available
Use a bowl designed to stay cool or drop in a few ice cubes.
Like this Coolin' Dog Water Bowl from Amazon
✔ Make sure there’s always shade
A shaded area — whether from an umbrella, canopy, kennel, or raised cot — gives your dog a place to escape the sun.
Like this Floppy Dawg bed from Amazon
✔ Try cooling gear
Cooling vests and self-cooling mats can provide instant relief on hot days.
Like this Dog Cooling Vest from Amazon
Or this Arf Dog Self Cooling Mat from Amazon
Keeping your dog safe in summer is all about staying proactive. With the right precautions — and your dog’s natural panting abilities — your pup can enjoy every warm day safely and comfortably.
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