Have you ever wondered if dogs sweat? You might've heard that dogs cool off by panting, but does that mean they never sweat? Read on to get the facts about dog sweat and its role in keeping dogs cool.

Do Dogs Sweat Like Humans?

A young woman outdoors, holds her dog over her shoulder while it pants

Dogs sweat, but they sweat a bit differently than humans.

Dogs have two types of sweat glands: merocrine glands, which are similar to human sweat glands, and apocrine glands. Merocrine glands are located in dogs' paw pads. Sweating through their paws helps dogs cool down. The apocrine glands, located throughout your dog's body, also make dog sweat — but this type of sweat doesn't cool your pup down. Instead, according to the American Kennel Club, the sweat from apocrine glands contains scent pheromones that help dogs identify each other.

How Else Do Dogs Stay Cool?

While sweating through their paws helps your dog cool down a little, the primary way they lower their body temperature is through panting.

Here's how it works: When a dog pants, the evaporating moisture on their tongue combined with the evaporation of the moist lining of their lungs cools them down, says Psychology Today. This is similar to the way evaporating sweat on the human body helps humans cool down.

There's one more way dogs are able to regulate their body temperatures, called vasodilation. During this process, a dog's blood vessels expand, bringing hot blood closer to the skin's surface and letting it cool down. This cooler blood then flows back to the heart, bringing the dog's overall temperature down.

Can Dogs Sweat Too Much?

People who are prone to excessive sweating, even when they're in a cool environment, have a condition called hyperhidrosis. It's unclear if dogs experience the same thing. However, dogs do sometimes sweat a lot through their paws when they're stressed, says PetHelpful. While no one's certain why this happens, it's believed that the excess moisture provides better traction on some surfaces, helping dogs run away from the source of their stress. This stress-induced sweating generally clears up once the stressful situation passes.

If you notice your dog's paw pads producing a lot of moisture, ask your veterinarian about possible causes and ways to help your sweaty pup stress less.

Recognizing an Overheated Dog

Yellow lab resting in the shade of a shelter house while panting.

While dogs have mechanisms to cool themselves down, they aren't always the most effective, making them prone to overheating in hot weather. Heat exhaustion in dogs can quickly escalate to a life-threatening heat stroke if it isn't dealt with immediately.

The AKC says to watch out for the following signs of your dog overheating:

  • Heavy or rapid panting
  • Excessive drooling
  • Lack of coordination
  • Red gums
  • Rapid or irregular heart rate
  • Muscle tremors or seizure
  • Feeling warm to the touch
  • Loss of consciousness

If your dog shows any of the above signs, immediately move them into an air-conditioned space or to a shaded area and offer them water to drink. To prevent your dog from getting overheated in the first place, limit their physical activity in hot weather, keep them in the shade and provide them with plenty of water. It's also crucial to never leave your dog trapped in a hot environment, such as a parked car. Being a loving and responsible pet parent includes keeping your cool pooch from becoming a hot dog.

Jean Marie Bauhaus Jean Marie Bauhaus

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger, and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of fur babies.

Related articles

Running with Your Dog: 12 Tips For a Successful Race

If you're a runner and a dog parent, consider running a race with your dog! Learn how to get started, from training tips to finding dog-friendly races.

How to Make Vet Visits Less Scary for Your Dog

Is your dog scared of vet appointments? Learn tips for calming his anxiety and taking the stress out of his trip to the veterinarian.

The Best Large Breed Dogs

Learn more about the benefits and things to consider when it comes to adopting a large or giant breed dog.

Puppy Obedience Training: How to Be Successful

Learn how reading & understanding your puppy's body language, barking, and whining can help with his obedience training.

Assessing the Proper Nutrition Your Adult Dog Needs

Different dogs at different ages and life stages have different nutritional needs. Learn about the unique nutritional and health needs of your dog.

Why Are My Dog's Eyes Red?

Learn common causes of red eyes in dogs, from normal allergies to more serious health concerns, and treatment options your vet might suggest to help.

Giardia in Dogs

Learn how giardia in dogs can wreak havoc on your pet's digestive system, how giardiasis gets diagnosed and how your dog's veterinarian might treat it.

Why Is My Dog's Stomach Making Noises?

Why is my dog's stomach making noises? If you're concerned about the sounds coming from your pup's stomach, read on to learn what might be causing it.

Gastrointestinal & Digestive Disorders in Dogs: Types & Causes

Learn about the warning signs, symptoms, and treatments of Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and diseases that affect a dog.

Strange Behaviors You've Probably Noticed in Your Dog

Learn the meanings behind quirky & strange dog behaviors, such as why he tilts his head, why he chases his tail and why he scoots across your carpet.

How to Keep Your Dog Safe While Hunting

If you're considering training your dog to help you hunt, follow these safety tips to make sure he stays out of danger.

What Is the Cost of Owning a Dog?

You've made the emotional decision to get a dog, but have you crunched the numbers? The cost of owning a dog requires upfront funds to get started.

Dog Tail Signs: What That Wagging Means

Learn how to tell what your dog is feeling from his tail wagging, including what mood he might be in based on the motions and speed of his tail.

Angular Limb Deformities in Dogs: Types, Causes & Treatment

Learn about angular limb deformities in dogs, including types of deformities, why they happen and treatment options for dogs that have this condition.

Brain Aging in Dogs: Symptoms & Treatment

Learn what causes brain aging, behavioral changes and alertness in your aging dog. Discover what you can do to help prevent some of these dog diseases.

Ataxia in Dogs: Types, Symptoms & Treatment

Learn about the medical condition ataxia in dogs, including common signs like incoordination, as well as types of the condition and how its treated.

Exercise Ideas for Your Large-Breed Dog

Discover creative ways you can provide your large breed dog with the exercise he needs to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.

Tips for Leaving Your New Dog Home Alone

Check out these helpful tips on how to housebreak your puppy and feel confident in leaving him alone while you're at work.

Tips for Feeding Two Dogs at Once

Learn how to manage feeding two dogs at once, including why separation is important and tips if you have one dog that tries to steal the other dog's food.

Dog Traits & Personalities for the Seven Breed Classes

Discover how breeds influence dog personalities and learn which traits you'll likely find in each of the seven main dog breeds.