I work in research for the most part dealing with human physiology, and often thermoregulation – I am also a loving dog owner. I have participated in research with human subjects investigating cooling strategies for work in the heat including the military, and recently began to wonder how thermoregulation in dogs differs from humans. Many people understand the cooling strategies of the human compared to the dog, mostly, dogs pant and human sweat.

Humans can thermoregulate by using 5 mechanisms, (1) Evaporation, (2) Convection, (3) Conduction, (4) Radiation, and (5) Metabolism. Metabolism is what happens when we exercise and always results in heat gain. Evaporation is how we lose heat from sweat evaporating off of the skin. Convection is the loss of heat by moving air (fans feeling cool on your skin) and Conduction is the loss of heat when we touch a surface that is cooler than our skin temperature (or gain warmth by touching something warm). Radiation often refers to the sun warming our skin.

Dogs gain heat by the same mechanisms that we do, Metabolism from exercise, Conduction from hot surfaces and Radiation from the sun. However their furry coats can help to prevent heat gain from Conduction and Radiation, therefore when you shave your furry dogs coat, you may be doing them a disservice as this may prevent their ability to insulate themselves from the heat.

To lose heat dogs take advantage of Convection, Conduction, and Evaporation. When dogs are outside and there is a breeze or they are moving they can lose heat from Convection, however tied up at home, in a crate, or in a car, they lose the ability to dispel heat this way. Dogs try to use Conduction every opportunity they have, this is why your dog (and mine!) decides to lie down in the mud puddle after a run at the dog park, the mud puddle is slightly cooler than the air and water removes heat from the body 25 times faster than air, so if they are already in the mud puddle, give them a minute to enjoy the cooling effect.

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When I look at a package of something for my dogs, I am probably more prone to lean towards something that is “vet recommended” but I have learned now that I am going to have to make my own informed decisions about items and not rely on what it says on the box.

Ever since Paddington was 6 months old, I have given her Greenies. I knew a few people who had dogs who loved them and to be perfectly frank, I really like the idea of not having to brush my dogs’ teeth (have you ever tried that???!? It is unbelievably hard!). I read on the box that they were veterinarian recommended, had many benefits and most of all, Paddington loved them. I never thought that they could be dangerous.

One thing that SHOULD have tipped me off was the fact that I couldn’t introduce the dogs to them fully right away, or they would get diarrhea. I would cut them up into thirds, then half then after about 3-4 weeks I would give them a whole one. They got one every day and with what I have found out now, I am extremely glad nothing happened on those days.

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