Do Dogs Sweat? How They Cool Down and How to Prevent Overheating
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By Dr Duncan Houston
A dog may leave damp paw prints on a smooth floor, but you will not usually see sweat running through their coat after a walk. Their cooling system works differently from ours.
Understanding that difference helps explain why water and shade matter, why humid weather can be difficult and why a dog can overheat even without being shut in a car.
Quick Answer
Dogs do sweat, mainly through glands in their paw pads, but this contributes relatively little to whole-body cooling. They rely much more on panting, resting and moving into cooler surroundings. Heavy panting, weakness or unusual behaviour after heat or exercise should prompt immediate action, not reassurance that the dog will simply sweat it off.
Where dogs sweat and what it means
Merocrine sweat glands in the paw pads can produce moisture, including when a dog is warm or stressed. Dogs also have apocrine glands associated with hair follicles; these are not equivalent to the widespread evaporative cooling system in human skin.
The AKC's explanation of canine sweating describes why panting does most of the cooling work. Damp paw prints do not measure body temperature, and dry paws do not prove that a dog is comfortable. Nose wetness is also an unreliable way to judge hydration, fever or heat safety.
How panting helps, and why it can fail
Air moving over moist surfaces allows water to evaporate and carry heat away. High humidity makes evaporation less effective, while vigorous exercise produces additional heat. Poor airflow and hot surroundings can overwhelm the dog's ability to lose it.
Dogs also seek cooler surfaces, reduce activity and use shade. Owners need to make those choices possible, particularly for an enthusiastic dog who keeps chasing a ball despite rising heat strain.
Heat risk depends on more than the forecast
| Factor | Why it matters | Practical adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Heat, humidity and little airflow | Cooling becomes less effective | Move to a genuinely cooler space and reduce activity |
| Flat face or airway disease | Breathing and heat loss may be impaired | Use a conservative exercise plan and arrange airway assessment |
| Obesity, older age or medical illness | Tolerance and recovery may be reduced | Discuss individual limits with your vet |
| Intense exercise or prolonged excitement | The body produces more heat | Build in rest and stop before exhaustion |
| Hot ground or enclosed spaces | Burns and rapid heat accumulation can occur | Avoid hot surfaces and never leave a dog in a parked car |
The RSPCA explains that heatstroke can develop in cooler weather when other risks are present. No single outdoor temperature is safe for every dog and activity.
A realistic warm-weather routine
- Check conditions before each outing, including humidity and ground temperature.
- Choose cooler times and shaded routes, but shorten or skip exercise if the dog or conditions are unsuitable.
- Carry drinking water and allow frequent rest without forcing the dog to continue.
- Provide several stable water bowls and a cool indoor resting option.
- Check pets directly during hot weather, especially if they are vulnerable or cannot move freely between spaces.
Fans, cooling mats and shade can support comfort, but none makes a dangerously hot environment safe. Air conditioning or relocation may be needed. RSPCA summer guidance also advises protecting pets from hot surfaces and strong sun.
Warning signs and emergency first aid
Heavy or persistent panting, marked drooling, reluctance to move, vomiting, diarrhoea, wobbliness or confusion after heat exposure are concerning. Collapse, seizures and breathing difficulty are emergencies. Do not wait for a thermometer reading before acting; a temperature taken after cooling may underestimate the earlier problem.
Royal Veterinary College research supports recognising early signs and intervening promptly. Stop activity, move to a cooler place and start wetting the body with cool tap water while arranging veterinary help. Keep the airway clear and add airflow. Offer small voluntary drinks if the dog is alert, without forcing water.
Begin cooling before transport, then follow the emergency clinic's instructions. Do not wrap the dog in wet towels or spend time trying to make water lukewarm. The RVC's cooling guidance stresses prompt effective cooling. A dog who appears better still needs assessment because heat injury can affect internal organs.
Common mistakes
- Using paw moisture or nose temperature as a safety test.
- Assuming an eager dog will stop exercising when necessary.
- Relying on a cooling vest to permit strenuous activity in heat.
- Leaving a dog in a car because a window is partly open.
- Delaying veterinary care after apparent recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs sweat through their fur?
They do not cool by soaking the coat with sweat as people wet their skin. Paw-pad sweating is limited, so the coat may look dry even when overheating is developing.
Should I shave my dog for summer?
Not automatically. Grooming needs depend on coat type and condition. Ask your vet or groomer before clipping a double coat, and prioritise removal of painful matting when necessary.
Is a fan enough?
It may improve airflow, especially over wet skin during cooling, but cannot reliably protect a dog in excessively hot surroundings. Provide access to a cooler environment.
Dogs have useful cooling mechanisms, but clear limits. Adjusting the environment and activity early is far safer than expecting panting and paw sweating to compensate for excessive heat.
For advice on your dog's individual heat risk and everyday care, contact ASK A VET™. Suspected heatstroke requires urgent veterinary treatment.
