With the recent spell of warm weather and heatwaves across the UK, many of us have been looking for ways to stay comfortable in the heat, and our dogs are no different.
While they can’t regulate their body temperature in quite the same way humans do, dogs have developed a range of natural adaptations and behaviours that help them cope when temperatures rise. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at how dogs manage their body temperature and the different ways they stay cool in hot weather.
A natural cooling system
Dogs naturally have a slightly higher body temperature than humans, but unlike us, they are unable to cool themselves by sweating through their skin. While dogs do have sweat glands in their paw pads, these play only a small role in regulating body temperature. Instead, their most effective way of cooling down is through panting.
When a dog pants, air moves quickly over the moist surfaces of their tongue, mouth and airways. As this moisture evaporates, it helps carry heat away from the body, lowering their temperature and preventing them from overheating.
Seeking out cool surfaces
Have you ever noticed your dog stretched out on the floor at home or constantly moving around, appearing restless?
In hotter weather, this could be your dog trying to lower their body temperature. Lying on cooler surfaces helps to transfer body heat away, some dogs may also dig into soil on warm days. This instinctive behaviour can help them reach cooler ground beneath the surface, providing a more comfortable place to lie down. Eventually the surface will absorb enough heat to match the dog’s skin temperature, stopping further cooling, which is when your dog will move to find another cool spot.
The benefits of water
Taking a dip in cool water lowers your dog’s body temperature rapidly as well. It draws heat away from the skin and, by cooling areas with a larger blood supply such as the head, neck and belly, helps lower the temperature of the blood circulating back to the body’s core.
Once finished taking a dip or swim, the water left on their fur evaporates in the air, pulling remaining heat away from the body. This is why draping a wet towel over your dog for long periods is generally not advised, as it can trap heat against the body once the towel starts to warm up rather than allowing it to escape.
Knowing when to rest
During the hottest parts of the day, you may find your dog seeking shade or well-ventilated areas at home that provide a constant cool breeze. Resting in the shade and out of direct sunlight helps to prevent overheating, as these areas are often significantly cooler.
A fresh breeze also helps heat leave the body and makes it easier for a dog to cool down as they pant. Some dogs may become less active during hot weather and spend more time resting to avoid overheating. However, some dog breeds with high energy may need a helping hand to know when to stop and rest.
Clever canines
Whilst dogs are amazingly clever at reading their own bodies, we still want to do all we can to help our four-legged friends stay comfortable and happy.
Their ability to adapt to changing temperatures is a fascinating example of the natural instincts that have helped them thrive for thousands of years. It’s just one of the many reasons we admire these remarkable animals so much. The next time you spot your dog changing their behaviour on a warm day, you’ll know they’re simply doing what comes naturally to keep cool and comfortable.
