Do Dogs Sweat & Have Sweat Glands

Dogs don’t have sweat glands like humans, but do dogs sweat? Yes! They secrete on their foot pads but typically utilize their hair coats and sweating to keep cool. This can lead to dogs becoming susceptible to heat exhaustion and even stroke. Here are five tips for keeping your pet cool and safe from heat exhaustion or stroke when temperatures increase.

Make sure your dog is Hydrate your dog. Provide your dog with plenty of cool and refreshing water. If your pet is not a huge water drinker, think about adding water to their meals or adding flavor to their water using the chicken broth (avoid onion). Ideally, your dog should drink approximately one inch of water for each pound of body weight daily. If your dog is under the sun, I suggest an increase of 50 percent.

Keep your dog in good shape. Obesity can increase the chances of developing heat stroke. However, fitness levels can reduce the chance of. Ideally, your dog is active or walked every day. If you plan on taking your dog on a lengthy walk or out in the open, gradually increase your dog’s activity before the occasion.

Keep within the shade. The temperatures in the shade could be significantly cooler when you can, let your dog have access to shade. This alone could be life-saving.

Be aware of particular breeds. Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and breeds with flat-faced dogs (Pugs, Boston Terriers Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs) are more prone to heat stroke.

Do not let your dog out in a hot vehicle. Unfortunately, thousands of dogs are killed yearly because they are left in hot vehicles. Dogs can overheat in just a few minutes. Venting windows is usually not enough in hot temperatures. I would not advise pets to be kept in vehicles if the temperature outside is above sixty degrees F.

What do you do to keep your dog cool? I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts in your comments!