Dogs cool themselves very differently from humans. Because they only sweat through a small number of sweat glands, they rely mainly on panting and other thermoregulatory processes to release excess body heat.
Understanding how dogs cool down can help owners recognise when their natural cooling system may be struggling and take sensible steps to keep them comfortable during hot weather, exercise and travel.
In this guide, we explain how canine thermoregulation works, why some dogs are more vulnerable to heat and how cooling aids can support them.
What Is Canine Thermoregulation?
Thermoregulation is the body's ability to maintain a stable internal temperature despite external conditions. In dogs, the normal resting body temperature ranges between 38.3°C and 39.2°C. When temperatures rise or a dog becomes active, their body initiates mechanisms to release excess heat.
Unlike humans, dogs have relatively few sweat glands, with sweating occurring mainly through the paw pads. This means they rely much more heavily on panting and other methods of heat loss.
How Do Dogs Cool Themselves?
Dogs primarily rely on panting to cool down. Here’s how their thermoregulation works:
1. Panting
Panting increases airflow across moist surfaces in the mouth, tongue, and upper respiratory tract, facilitating evaporative cooling. As moisture evaporates, it draws heat away from the body.
📌 Research published in The Journal of Thermal Biology confirms that panting plays a key role in evaporative heat loss in dogs, especially during moderate to high levels of exertion (King et al., 2004).
2. Vasodilation
Blood vessels near the skin surface widen to help dissipate heat. This is especially noticeable in the ears and face. More warm blood is moved toward the surface, where it can release heat more effectively.
3. Conduction
Lying on cool surfaces allows the body to release heat through direct contact. This is why dogs may seek out cool floors, tiles or shaded ground during warm weather.
4. Limited Sweating
Though minimal, dogs can sweat through their paw pads. Dogs can sweat through their paw pads, although this plays only a small role in overall cooling. Damp paw prints may sometimes be noticeable in warm conditions or when a dog is stressed.
Why Do Dogs Overheat So Easily?
Because panting and paw-pad sweating are less efficient than full-body sweating, dogs can overheat quickly—especially in humid environments or enclosed spaces like cars.
Some breeds are especially vulnerable:
- Brachycephalic or flat-faced breeds
- Older or very young
- Overweight
- Living with heart, respiratory or other health conditions
- Exercising intensely in warm weather
- Unable to access shade, water or ventilation
A study published in Scientific Reports (O'Neill et al., 2020) found that brachycephalic breeds are significantly more prone to heat-related illness, due to restricted airways that limit effective panting.
Signs Your Dog May Be Getting Too Hot
Panting is normal during exercise or warm weather, but excessive or persistent panting can be a sign that your dog is struggling to cool down.
Warning signs may include:
- Heavy or excessive panting
- Excessive drooling
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Difficulty breathing
- Stumbling or poor coordination
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Confusion or disorientation
- Collapse or seizures
Heatstroke is a veterinary emergency. If you are concerned that your dog may be overheating or showing signs of heatstroke, contact a vet immediately.
Supporting Your Dog’s Cooling System
While natural thermoregulation does work, it's not always enough—particularly during summer heatwaves, travel, or exercise. That’s where cooling aids come in.
💡 Product Tip: How Cooling Coats Help Dogs Stay Cooler
The Quick Chill Cooling Coat supports your dog’s natural cooling process by:
- Enhancing evaporative cooling without soaking your dog’s fur
- Drawing heat away from the body through water-activated fabric
- Aiding thermoregulation during travel, walks, or hot days at home
Cooling aids should be used alongside access to drinking water, shade, ventilation and sensible exercise management, not instead of them.
📖 A 2020 study in Animals found that dogs wearing evaporative cooling coats had lower post-exercise body temperatures and recovered faster after exertion in warm weather (Zanghi et al., 2020).
Please note: If your dog has suspected heatstroke, please call the vet. Do not use a cooling coat. Read more on heatstroke here.
How to Help Keep Your Dog Cool in Hot Weather
- Make sure fresh drinking water is always available
- Exercise during the cooler parts of the day
- Reduce the intensity or duration of activity when it is hot
- Provide shade and good ventilation
- Never leave a dog unattended in a parked vehicle
- Give your dog regular opportunities to rest and cool down
- Let them choose cool surfaces where available
- Consider a cooling aid, such as a cooling coat during appropriate activities
Conclusion
Dogs rely mainly on panting, along with other natural cooling mechanisms, to regulate their body temperature. Understanding how dogs cool themselves—and recognising when they may be struggling—can help you make safer decisions during warm weather, exercise and travel.
Fresh water, shade, ventilation and sensible exercise management should always come first. Cooling products can then be used as an additional way to support your dog's comfort in appropriate situations.
References
- King, D., and Taylor, R. “Evaporative heat loss in exercising dogs.” Journal of Thermal Biology, 2004.
- O'Neill, D.G., Hall, E.J., et al. “Dogs don’t die just in hot cars—exposure to hot weather is just as deadly.” Scientific Reports, 2020. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-66015-8
- Zanghi, B.M. et al. “Effect of a Cooling Vest on Core Temperature in Dogs Exercising in the Heat.” Animals, MDPI, 2020. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/4/722
- RSPCA. “Keeping your dog cool in hot weather.” https://www.rspca.org.uk
