Do Dogs Really Sweat Under Their Armpits? The Truth About Canine Cooling

Have you ever taken your furry friend for a long walk on a hot summer day and wondered if they’re sweating bullets just like you? Maybe you’ve even sniffed your dog’s armpits expecting that familiar human sweat smell. I know I have! As a dog owner, I’ve always been curious about how my four-legged companion stays cool when the temperature rises. Today, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of dog sweat—specifically, do dogs sweat under their armpits?

The Short Answer: Dogs Don’t Sweat Like We Do

Let’s cut to the chase—dogs do not sweat under their armpits like humans do I know, kinda disappointing right? Despite what many pet parents believe, your pooch doesn’t have sweaty pits after a game of fetch This is one of the biggest misconceptions about our canine friends.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), dogs do sweat, but their sweating mechanism works very differently from ours. While humans have sweat glands distributed all over our bodies (especially concentrated in areas like our armpits), dogs have a much more limited sweating system.

How Dogs Actually Sweat: The Science Behind It

Dogs have two main types of sweat glands

1. Merocrine Glands These are mostly found in your dog’s paw pads. When your dog gets hot, these glands activate and release moisture. Ever noticed damp paw prints on a hot day? That’s your dog’s merocrine glands in action!

2. Apocrine Glands: These are spread throughout your dog’s body, but contrary to what you might think, they don’t actually help with cooling. Instead, they release pheromones for dog-to-dog communication.

So what about the armpits? Dr. Virginia LaMon from PetMD confirms that dogs simply don’t have sweat glands in their armpits that function for cooling. According to experts at KeepingDog, “Though it may be easy to assume a dog sweats from the armpits like people do, there are no sweat glands located in a dog’s underarms.”

“But My Dog Smells Sweaty Sometimes!”

I’ve definitely caught whiffs of something funky from my dog’s underarm area before. If you’ve experienced this too, you might be wondering what’s going on if it’s not sweat.

What you’re smelling isn’t sweat but actually a mixture of oils and pheromones. Dogs secrete oils from their sebaceous glands that help keep their skin and coat healthy. These oils, combined with the pheromones from their apocrine glands, can sometimes produce an odor that we mistake for sweat.

As KeepingDog explains, “If these glands are acting in overdrive, they can have a noticeable odor and even make your dog’s skin feel clammy, which can be mistaken for sweat.”

How Do Dogs Actually Cool Down?

Since dogs don’t sweat much, how the heck do they avoid overheating? They rely on three main cooling mechanisms:

1. Panting: The Primary Cooling Method

Panting is the most efficient way dogs regulate their body temperature. When a dog pants, they rapidly inhale, humidify, and exhale air. This process causes moisture in their airways to evaporate, creating a cooling effect.

Think of it as nature’s built-in air conditioning system! When your dog is panting after playtime, they’re not being dramatic—they’re actively cooling themselves down.

2. Vasodilation: The Blood Vessel Trick

Another clever cooling mechanism dogs use is vasodilation—the expansion of blood vessels, especially in their face and ears. When these vessels dilate, warm blood moves closer to the skin’s surface where it can cool down before returning to the heart.

This is why you might notice your dog’s ears and face looking redder when they’re hot. It’s their body’s way of releasing heat!

3. Limited Sweating: The Paw Pad Solution

While dogs don’t sweat from their armpits, they do sweat from their paw pads through merocrine sweat glands. On hot days, you might notice your dog leaving behind tiny damp paw prints—that’s actually dog sweat!

However, because paw pads make up such a small portion of a dog’s body, this sweating mechanism plays a relatively minor role in their overall cooling process.

The Surprising Role of a Dog’s Coat

Many people assume that a dog’s fur makes them hotter in summer. I used to think the same way! But here’s something interesting—a dog’s coat actually acts as an insulator that can help keep them cool.

Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC, explains: “Your dog’s coat actually acts as an insulator. A dog’s coat captures air to keep out the cold and hold heat in during winter, and to keep your dog cooler in hot weather.”

This is why you should never shave double-coated breeds like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, or Siberian Huskies in summer. Their inner coat acts as insulation against heat, and shaving it can actually make them more vulnerable to overheating and sunburn!

What About Those “Sweaty Armpits”?

If you’ve noticed that your dog’s armpits seem damp or have an odor, there could be a few explanations:

1. Skin fold moisture: Some dogs, especially those with loose skin, can trap moisture between skin folds in their armpit area.

2. Overactive oil glands: As mentioned earlier, oil glands can sometimes go into overdrive, creating a clammy feeling.

3. Potential health issues: In some cases, persistent moisture or strong odors in the armpit area could indicate skin infections, allergies, or other health concerns.

Regular grooming and bathing can help manage any unpleasant odors, but if you notice excessive moisture or a strong smell that doesn’t improve with basic hygiene, it’s worth consulting your vet.

When to Worry: Heatstroke Danger Signs

Since dogs don’t sweat efficiently like humans, they’re more vulnerable to overheating and heatstroke. Heatstroke is a serious and potentially fatal condition that occurs when a dog’s body temperature rises too high.

According to the AKC and PetMD, these are the warning signs to watch for:

• Excessive, frantic panting
• Bright red gums
• Thick saliva and excessive drooling
• Rapid heart rate
• Incoordination or staggering
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

Some dogs are at higher risk for heatstroke:

• Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers
• Very old or young dogs
• Overweight dogs
• Dogs with dark coats
• Dogs who have had heatstroke before

How to Help Your Dog Stay Cool

Since our furry friends can’t sweat like we do, it’s our responsibility to help them stay cool, especially during hot weather. Here are some practical tips:

Outdoor Time Management

• Limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day
• Provide constant access to shade and fresh water
• Never leave your dog in a car, even for a few minutes (temperatures rise dangerously fast!)
• Keep walks to early morning or evening when it’s cooler

Indoor Comfort

• Make sure your home stays at a comfortable temperature
• Consider cooling mats or vests for extra hot days
• Provide elevated beds that allow air circulation underneath

Grooming Tips

• Regular brushing helps remove loose fur that can trap heat
• Never shave double-coated breeds (it removes their natural insulation)
• Keep paw pads clean to help their limited sweating function properly

The Bottom Line on Dog “Armpit Sweat”

To sum it all up—no, dogs don’t sweat under their armpits. What they do have is a sophisticated cooling system that includes minimal sweating (primarily through their paw pads), panting, and vasodilation.

Understanding how your dog actually cools down can help you better care for them during hot weather and recognize when they might be at risk of overheating.

So next time you’re out on a hot day with your furry friend, remember that while you’re dripping sweat from your armpits, they’re using completely different methods to stay cool. And that’s just one of the many fascinating differences between humans and our beloved canine companions!

FAQs About Dog Sweating

Can I use human antiperspirant on my dog?

Absolutely not! Human antiperspirants contain chemicals that can be toxic to dogs if ingested through licking. Plus, since dogs don’t sweat from their armpits, it wouldn’t serve any purpose.

Why does my dog smell bad sometimes if it’s not sweat?

Dogs have natural oils in their skin and coat that can develop an odor over time. They also have scent glands that produce pheromones. Regular bathing (but not too frequent) can help manage these odors.

Should I wipe my dog’s paws on hot days?

Gently wiping your dog’s paws with a cool, damp cloth can help them feel more comfortable, but don’t try to prevent them from sweating through their paw pads—this is one of their few ways to release heat!

Is panting always a sign that my dog is too hot?

Not necessarily. Dogs pant for various reasons, including excitement, stress, or just after exercise. However, excessive, heavy panting combined with other symptoms mentioned earlier could indicate overheating.

Can certain dog breeds tolerate heat better than others?

Yes! Dogs with shorter coats and longer muzzles generally handle heat better than dogs with thick, dense fur or flat faces (brachycephalic breeds).

Remember, being aware of how your dog actually regulates their body temperature is key to keeping them safe and comfortable year-round. And now you know—no sweaty doggy armpits to worry about!