Dog Behavior Decoded: Why Do Dogs Pant?

Dog Behavior Decoded: Why Do Dogs Pant?

Dogs have very few sweat glands, so you won't see one enjoying a sauna anytime soon. While they do sweat from their paw pads and other less furry areas, the primary way dogs cool off is through panting.

The tongue is an important part of the cooling system. When dogs get hot, blood flow increases and this includes to their tongue. As the dog pants, moisture evaporates and cools the tongue. As the tongue cools down, so does the blood which flows through the body.

Panting is very rapid, shallow breathing that enhances the evaporation of water from the tongue, mouth and upper respiratory tract. Evaporation dissipates heat as water vapor.

Magic? Pretty close. A panting dog can take 300 to 400 breaths per minute (the normal canine breathing rate is 30 to 40 breaths per minute), yet it requires surprisingly little effort.

Because of the natural elasticity of the lungs and airways, panting does not expend much energy, nor does it create additional heat. Pretty cool, indeed.

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