Do Dogs Sweat?
by Friends of the Dog
by Friends of the Dog

Understanding Canine Heat Regulation
Dogs are beloved companions, and as responsible pet owners, it’s important to understand how they regulate their body temperature and how to prevent heat-related health issues, such as heatstroke. While we humans sweat to cool down, dogs have a different system in place for regulating their body heat. Let's dive into whether dogs sweat, how they manage temperature.
Do Dogs Sweat?
Unlike humans, dogs do not sweat in the same way. While humans have sweat glands all over their bodies, dogs have very few sweat glands, and they are mostly located in their paw pads. These glands are responsible for a small amount of perspiration, but they are not enough to cool down a dog’s body significantly. So, while your dog may leave damp paw prints on a hot day, it’s not a sign of extensive sweating.
How Do Dogs Cool Down?
Without widespread sweat glands, dogs rely on other mechanisms to regulate their body temperature:
Although many owners clip their dogs to keep them cool in summer, this should never be undertaken if you have a dog with a double coat. This would include breeds such as Akita, German Shepherd, Toy Pom, Old English Sheepdog and Siberian Husky just to mention a few.
Clipping when your dog has a double coat, clipping them leaves them prone to sunburn and skin cancer. Shaving a double-coated dog disrupts their natural coat insulation, leaving them vulnerable overheating, and other skin issues. Additionally, shaved hair may not grow back properly, leading to long-term coat damage, which may never grow back naturally again.
Dogs are beloved companions, and as responsible pet owners, it’s important to understand how they regulate their body temperature and how to prevent heat-related health issues, such as heatstroke. While we humans sweat to cool down, dogs have a different system in place for regulating their body heat. Let's dive into whether dogs sweat, how they manage temperature.
Do Dogs Sweat?
Unlike humans, dogs do not sweat in the same way. While humans have sweat glands all over their bodies, dogs have very few sweat glands, and they are mostly located in their paw pads. These glands are responsible for a small amount of perspiration, but they are not enough to cool down a dog’s body significantly. So, while your dog may leave damp paw prints on a hot day, it’s not a sign of extensive sweating.
How Do Dogs Cool Down?
Without widespread sweat glands, dogs rely on other mechanisms to regulate their body temperature:
- Panting: Panting is the primary way dogs cool themselves down. By rapidly breathing in and out, they expel hot air and take in cooler air, which helps to release heat. This process allows for evaporation in their respiratory system, which helps cool their body temperature. However, panting is most effective when the air is cooler, so it’s not as efficient during extreme heat.
- Paw Pads: The sweat glands on a dog’s paws may help release a tiny amount of moisture, but it’s minimal and unlikely to make a significant difference in extreme heat. However, the paws do contain a dense concentration of nerve endings and blood vessels that can help dissipate some heat when the dog rests on cool surfaces.
- Seeking Shade and Water: Dogs instinctively seek cool, shaded areas to escape direct sunlight and often drink more water to help stay hydrated and regulate their temperature.
- Hair and Coat: A dog's coat can also play a role in insulation. While fur helps protect against the sun's rays and keeps them warm in cold weather, it can trap heat in hot weather. Some breeds shed more in summer to help regulate their body temperature. Regular grooming can also help keep their coat cooler by removing excess hair.
Although many owners clip their dogs to keep them cool in summer, this should never be undertaken if you have a dog with a double coat. This would include breeds such as Akita, German Shepherd, Toy Pom, Old English Sheepdog and Siberian Husky just to mention a few.
Clipping when your dog has a double coat, clipping them leaves them prone to sunburn and skin cancer. Shaving a double-coated dog disrupts their natural coat insulation, leaving them vulnerable overheating, and other skin issues. Additionally, shaved hair may not grow back properly, leading to long-term coat damage, which may never grow back naturally again.