Do Dogs Sweat? 5 Risks for Your Dog in Extreme Weather
Do dogs sweat?” might sound like a silly question because you would think your dog sweats all over her body through evaporation like humans, however your dog uses a completely different method to lower her body temperature that puts your dog at risk for heat stroke when high temperatures mixed with humidity makes it harder for your dog to get cool or even worse, your dog with a pushed in face may not be able to breathe well in hot, humid weather.
This Article describes how your dog sweats and gives you ways to lower your dog’s health risks in hot weather so your dog won’t suffer.
How Do Dogs Sweat? 5 Things You Need To Know About Your Dog’s Sweat Glands
- Sweat Glands – Your dog has 2 types of sweat glands, however only one of them controls your dog’s body temperature.
- Apocrine Glands – Your dog has these glands all over her body. The Apocrine glands secrete pheromones which is a way that your dog communicates with other dogs.
- Feet – Your dog lowers her body temperature when she sweats through the Merocrine glands in her foot pads. In hot weather it’s critical to keep your dog off of hot surfaces like pavement and sand.
4. Mouth – Your dog’s loud panting noise results when your dog uses her tongue to send the cooler air from outside to her lungs so your dog can eliminate some heat.
5. Your dog’s method of lowering her body heat is not as efficient as the way humans sweat through their skin.
Do Dogs Sweat? 5 Risks for Your Dog in Hot Weather
- Heat Stroke – If your dog’s body cannot be cooled down quickly enough, a heat stroke can be fatal. The best strategy to protect your dog is to avoid outdoor activities from 10am to 4pm and never leave your dog inside your car without air-conditioning if the temperature outside is over 70 degrees fahrenheit. Dog Health News suggests that your dog is safest at home in a cool space when the weather is extremely hot. To prevent harm to your dog in hot weather it’s best not to give your dog too much exercise when the temperature reaches 80 degrees fahrenheit.
2. Streets – Your dog’s foot pads are at risk in hot weather because they can get burned by the hot pavement. This means that it’s safer for you to walk your dog in the early morning or at sunset during extremely hot and humid weather to protect your dog’s foot pads. The answer to the question, ‘Do Dogs Sweat’ is yes, however you won’t ever see sweat on you dog’s paws.
3. Sand – Your dog’s feet are just as sensitive to hot sand as yours. If you decide to take your dog to the beach to cool off in hot weather, you want to make sure to keep your dog off of the hot sand and bring your dog home after a swim instead of putting your dog at risk for heat stroke from overexposure to the sun at the beach.
4. Dehydration – Your dog needs plenty of clean, cool water to keep her well hydrated in hot weather. Signs of heat stroke include warm skin, excessive panting, seizures, heavy drooling, a sudden collapse, coma and unconsciousness. Even though you’ve discovered that the answer to ‘Do Dogs Sweat?’ is yes, your dog has a huge challenge to lower her temperature in heat and humidity. Immediately call your local emergency animal hospital if your dog shows any of these symptoms.
5. Winter Heating – Your dog may also be at risk from too much heat in winter. Watch for signs of heat stroke or excessive panting so you can make sure your dog is not dehydrated or she can’t lower her body temperature.
Dogs at High Risk from Heat Stroke
- Dark colored dogs
- Obese Dogs
- Shit-Tzus
- Pekingese
- French Bulldogs
- English Bulldogs
Note: If your dog has been exercising with a ball or frisbee and starts to pant in hot weather, be sure to carry her ball or frisbee home and free up your dog’s mouth so she can pant. Do dogs sweat? Now you know when you see your dog panting that it’s because she’s hot. Let your entire household know and keep your dog well hydrated during extreme temperatures and humidity.
This news brief tells you what you need to know about your dog’s sweat glands so you can take better care of your dog in hot weather to prevent your dog from the dangers of dehydration and heat stroke.
Share this article with your friends and family so they know how to care for their dog in hot weather and humidity.
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