08/01/2026
Do you know how dogs sweat?
Dogs do sweat, but only through the pads of their paws using specialized cooling glands, while their other sweat glands release scent signals instead.
Because paw sweating is not enough to lower their temperature, dogs rely heavily on panting and widening their blood vessels to stay cool. There are two types of sweat Glands. The first are called Merocrine Glands, located on the paw pads. These act like human sweat glands to produce moisture that helps cool the dog down. The second is the Apocrine Glands. These are found all over the body, but these DO NOT cool the dog; they release personal scent markers and pheromones for communication.
Dogs cool down also by panting. Panting rapidly moves air over the wet surfaces of the tongue and lungs to evaporate heat. This causes something called Vasodilation. This is when panting widens blood vessels near the skin (especially on the face and ears) so hot blood can cool off before going back to the heart.
This is why it is not recommended to shave double-coated breeds, even in hot weather. To help your pup stay cool, provide a shallow flat dish or pool with water that they can dip their paws into while hot. Also provide adequate cool (not cold) water for drinking at normal intervals throughout the day. Providing shade is also recommended for those extremely hot days!
