What parts of the body do cats sweat on? - briefly
Cats primarily sweat through their paw pads, as they have a limited number of sweat glands compared to humans.
What parts of the body do cats sweat on? - in detail
Cats have a unique sweating mechanism that differs significantly from humans. Unlike humans, who sweat profusely through numerous sweat glands across their skin, cats primarily sweat through their paw pads. These specialized sweat glands, known as eccrine glands, are located on the soft, hairless undersides of their paws. When a cat is overheated or stressed, these glands secrete moisture, which evaporates to help cool the body. However, this method of cooling is relatively inefficient compared to humans, as the surface area of their paw pads is limited. Additionally, cats rely heavily on other thermoregulatory behaviors, such as grooming and seeking shade, to manage their body temperature. Their fur also plays a role in insulation, preventing excessive heat absorption. While cats do have sweat glands in other areas of their skin, these are primarily apocrine glands, which are associated with scent marking rather than temperature regulation. Thus, the primary and most effective location for sweating in cats remains their paw pads.