Dogs keep cool primarily through panting, as they cannot sweat through their skin like humans do. Panting allows moisture to evaporate from their lungs and tongue, which helps lower their body temperature by evaporative cooling
. Additionally, dogs have sweat glands mainly in their paw pads and nose, but these play a minor role in cooling compared to panting
. Other ways dogs dissipate heat include:
- Radiation: Blood vessels in the skin dilate to release heat from the blood through the skin surface, but this is less effective when the air temperature is close to or higher than the dog's body temperature
- Convection: Heat is lost when air or water moves across the skin, with water conducting heat away more efficiently than air
- Conductive cooling through paws: Dogs can absorb and release heat through their paw pads, which is why providing cool water to dip their paws or a cool surface to lie on helps them cool down
Dogs also regulate their body temperature by seeking shade, resting on cool surfaces, and reducing activity during hot periods
. Their fur acts as an insulator, protecting them from sun heat and helping maintain cooler air close to the skin; regular grooming helps maintain this natural temperature regulation
. To assist dogs in staying cool, owners are advised to provide plenty of fresh, cool water, limit exercise to cooler times of day, offer cooling treats, use fans or cooling mats, and provide shaded or cool resting areas
. In summary, dogs rely mainly on panting for cooling, supported by limited sweating through paw pads, heat loss through skin blood flow, and behavioral adaptations like seeking shade and reducing activity
