How does panting cool dogs down?

Dogs don't sweat. That means temperature regulation is essential for them, and their various ways of keeping cool should be as efficient as possible.

One way to cool down is through panting. But how does this work, how much is too much and what if your dog doesn't pant much?

If you're wondering why your dog pants, we have an article on that. This is more to do with how panting itself cools your dog down.

Below, we discuss how panting works, factors that affect panting efficiency and warning signs to look out for.

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How do dogs regulate their body temperature?

Dogs regulate their temperature through their hypothalamus - a part of their brain. All mammals have this, and one of its key roles is to keep us at the correct temperature.

Like humans, dogs have parts of their body that act as temperature receptors. These feed information to the hypothalamus which then sets off cooling mechanisms across the body. This sets off reactions that allow our bodies to release heat.

So, how do dogs release heat? As mentioned, panting is the key cooling method in dogs, but they can also:

• Dilate their blood vessels, which helps heat escape. This is known as vasodilation. Dogs use this naturally, especially in the ears. Conversely, in cold weather, these will get smaller.

• Extend their legs to increase surface exposure when it's hot, leading to better cooling.

• Seek cooler areas, like shade.

• Decrease workload and effort, like laying down more.

Unlike us, dogs can't sweat - they don't have sweat glands. The closest thing they have to them are merocrine sweat glands on their pads and their nose.

They produce a small volume of sweat, so their nose can get wet and, on hot days, they can leave wet paw prints behind.

How panting cools dogs down

Panting helps cool down dogs through evaporation: the process where liquid turns to gas. This process releases heat and cools things down.

Dogs rapidly inhale and exhale air when they pant, which humidifies it. Humidity increases the rate at which evaporation happens, cooling down the body quickly.

Panting is the most efficient way for dogs to release water from their body, much like when we sweat. Like sweating, dogs lose a lot of water from this, so make sure there's fresh water there for them when it gets hot.

Factors affecting panting efficiency

Dogs are usually efficient at panting, but a few factors can impact it:

Environment

Temperature and humidity are the obvious ones here, but anything in the environment can impact panting.

Physical factors

Some breeds, especially those who suffer from BOAS, can struggle with temperature and panting. Other areas, like your dog's size and health, can have an impact too. 

Behavioural factors

Activity level and stress are big factors in how well a dog regulates temperature. 

Signs of overheating and heat stroke in dogs (and what panting heavily means)

Excessive panting is a clear sign of overheating. Sometimes, a dog's panting isn't enough to cool them down due to the environment or inefficiencies in the panting itself.

Signs of overheating include:

• Bright red gums

• Disorientation

• Excessive drooling

• Excessive panting

• Elevated body temperature

• Excessive thirst or drinking

• Increased heart rate

• Vomiting

Heat sickness and heat stroke are serious issues. To cool your dog down, you should:

• Move them into the shade immediately

• Dampen their body with room temperature water

• Use cooling methods like a fan

• Use something cold, like an ice pack wrapped in a towel, and put it on their groin, armpits, belly and spine

• Offer some cool water to drink, with a few mouthfuls at a time

• Tap some water on the paw pads

• Note their breathing rate every five minutes on your way to the vet

As soon as your dog has settled, take them to a vet immediately, ideally in an air-conditioned car.

Our article on heat stroke in dogs explains more.

How to help your dog stay cool

The best thing to keep your dog safe is to stay proactive.

Our article on protecting dogs in hot weather covers it in more depth, but generally, try to:

• Keep your dog hydrated and offer them some frozen treats

• Exercise at the cooler times of the day, like the early morning and evening. Remember, take precautions if you're walking your dog at night.

• Groom them regularly

• Use products like cooling mats

Stay prepared with dog insurance

So, there we have it: dogs pant to cool themselves down through evaporation. But for us, it can serve as an accurate warning sign of how your dog is coping with the heat.

It's important to understand what excessive panting means and how you can support your dog during the hotter parts of the year.

Remember: dog insurance can help you prepare for the unexpected, and we offer up to £15,000 vet fee cover, unlimited 24/7 vet calls with FirstVet and a host of other perks.

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