Do Dogs Sweat? How Canines Cool Down Through Paws & Nose

How Dogs Regulate Body Temperature

Dogs use several ways to keep cool when their body temperature rises. You may notice them breathing fast or sweating from their paws and nose, both of which help prevent them from overheating.

Panting as a Cooling Mechanism

• The most important way your dog cools down is by panting. When your dog pants, moisture from their tongue, mouth, and airways evaporates, which helps lower their body heat. This process is very efficient because it quickly moves warm air out and brings cooler air in as your dog breathes.
• Panting speeds up after exercise or if the weather is warm. Unlike humans, dogs do not sweat over most of their bodies. Instead, the quick breaths and the evaporation of moisture do most of the work. When your dog’s tongue sticks out and they’re breathing hard, they are using this natural cooling system.

The Role of Sweat Glands in Dogs

• Dogs have sweat glands, but these are not spread all over their bodies like in humans. Instead, their sweat glands are mainly found in the paw pads and a little on their nose. These glands help with only a small part of temperature control.
• When dogs get hot, they may leave wet footprints because their paws release small amounts of sweat. This helps cool them down just a bit. Sweat from the paws and nose can also help with grip on smooth surfaces and may keep these areas moist. Most heat relief, though, still comes from panting rather than sweating alone.

Sweating Through Dog’s Paws

Sweating in dogs is not the same as it is in people. Unlike humans, dogs have special areas where sweating takes place, and their paws are especially important for this process.

Location and Function of Paw Pads

• Sweat glands in dogs are mainly found in their paw pads. These are called merocrine sweat glands. They sit just below the surface of your dog’s paw pads, where they can let out small amounts of moisture.
• The paw pads themselves are thick, rough, and often feel cool. Their job is to give your dog traction and cushion when walking or running. Sweat released from these glands doesn’t do much to cool your dog down. Instead, it helps with grip by making the pads just a little bit damp.
• When your dog gets hot, their paws may sweat more, which explains why wet footprints sometimes appear on smooth floors.

Evidence of Moisture on Dog’s Paws

• If you notice damp spots where your dog has been sitting or walking, it’s likely from their sweaty paw pads. This is especially common in summer or after your dog has been active.
• These moist spots are clear and not sticky. In some cases, you can even feel that your dog’s paws are slightly damp to the touch. Dogs may also lick their paws more if they are sweating or feeling warm.
• While sweating through the paws is normal, excessive moisture or a strong odor could mean there’s a problem, like an infection. Regularly check your dog’s paws for changes if you notice anything unusual.

Do Dogs Sweat Through Their Nose?

Dogs do sweat through their nose, but not in the same way that people do. Their noses contain special sweat glands that work differently from the sweat glands found in humans.

Physiology of the Dog’s Nose

• Dogs have two types of sweat glands: merocrine and apocrine. The merocrine glands are located in places like the paw pads and the nose. These glands help dogs release moisture as a small amount of sweat through the skin’s surface.
• When your dog’s nose feels wet, part of that moisture comes from the merocrine sweat glands. However, this “sweat” does not play a big part in cooling them down. Most of a dog’s cooling still comes from panting.
• Perspiration on the nose helps keep it moist. A moist nose helps dogs pick up scents better. If you notice your dog’s nose is dry, it doesn’t always mean there’s a health problem.

Types of Sweat Glands in Dogs

Dogs have sweat glands in their bodies, but they work differently compared to human sweat glands. These glands help manage heat and have other special uses for your dog.

Eccrine Glands

• Eccrine glands, sometimes called merocrine glands, are found mainly in your dog’s paw pads and a small amount in their nose. These glands make a watery type of sweat that helps with cooling, especially when your dog is hot or stressed. Unlike people, dogs do not have these sweat glands all over their skin.
• The sweat from eccrine glands appears when your dog is overheated, anxious, or has been active for a while. If you notice damp paw prints from your dog, it’s usually because of this kind of sweat. These glands help a little bit with cooling, but dogs depend more on panting to lower body temperature.
• The noses of dogs also have some eccrine-type glands, but these do not play a big role in cooling. Instead, the moisture helps with a dog’s sense of smell. For more about where these sweat glands are located, visit this AKC guide to dog sweat glands.

Apocrine Glands

• Apocrine glands are another sweat gland type found in dogs. They are located all over your dog’s body, right next to the hair follicles. While these glands make sweat, their main job is not to cool your dog down. Instead, apocrine glands help produce scent chemicals.
• These scent chemicals are important for communication and marking territory. Dogs get information about each other by sniffing. The sweat from apocrine glands contains unique smells that help dogs recognize one another.
• Even though apocrine glands do not really help with cooling, they are essential for your dog to interact socially.

Why Dogs Don’t Sweat Like Humans

Dogs have a very different way of cooling their bodies compared to people. Their bodies use unique methods and rely less on sweating to manage heat.

Comparing Dogs to Other Animals

• Humans cool off mainly by sweating all over their skin. You have sweat glands almost everywhere, which helps lower your body temperature quickly.
• Dogs, in contrast, only have sweat glands in certain areas. The main spots where dogs have these glands are their paw pads and, to a lesser extent, their noses. These sweat glands help, but not enough to keep a dog’s whole body cool.
• Most dogs instead use panting as their primary cooling method. When a dog pants, it exchanges hot air for cooler air and helps release heat from the body. This is very different from how sweat evaporates off your skin to keep you cool.
• Unlike dogs, animals like horses and humans can get sweaty and covered in moisture when hot. Dogs rarely get visibly sweaty except sometimes on their paws, which might leave damp spots. If you notice wet paw prints after play, it comes from these limited sweat glands.

Evolutionary Adaptations

• Over time, dogs developed other methods to control their body heat. As descendants of wolves, dogs often lived in climates where panting and shaded rest were more effective than sweating.
• The limited number of sweat glands in dogs helps control heat loss, but sweating is not their main way to cool down. Panting moves cool air over moist surfaces in a dog’s mouth and lungs, helping lower body temperature more efficiently than sweating through skin.
• Dogs also tend to seek cool surfaces, shade, or water to help lower their temperature. Thick fur protects them from both heat and sunburn. This approach works for them but means they are more at risk of overheating in extreme temperatures.

Signs of Overheating and Heatstroke

Dogs cool off differently than people, so it’s important to notice when your dog is getting too hot. Watching for warning signs can help you prevent serious problems like heatstroke.

Heatstroke Symptoms in Dogs

• Heatstroke is a medical emergency in dogs. Some of the main symptoms include constant or very fast panting, weakness, and drooling. You might also see red gums, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• If your dog seems confused, is staggering, or collapses, these are severe signs that need fast action. Their body can feel hot to the touch, and their breathing may sound louder than usual.
• Unlike people, dogs only sweat a little through their paws and nose, so these symptoms can come on quickly. For more details on the warning signs, visit this list of heat exhaustion symptoms in dogs.

Immediate Actions to Take

• If you notice any signs of heatstroke, move your dog to a cooler area right away. Use cool (not cold) water on their body, especially the belly, paws, and ears. Offer small amounts of water for them to drink.
• Do not use ice or very cold water, as this can make things worse.
• Keep your dog calm and quiet. Take your dog to the vet as soon as you can, even if they seem better. Heatstroke can cause damage inside the body that is not always obvious at first.