Where are sweat glands located on cats? - briefly
Cats have sweat glands primarily located in their paw pads, which help regulate their body temperature.
Where are sweat glands located on cats? - in detail
Cats possess sweat glands, but their distribution differs significantly from that of humans. Unlike humans, who have sweat glands distributed across most of their skin, cats primarily have eccrine sweat glands located in specific areas. The most concentrated area of sweat glands in cats is found on their paw pads. These glands secrete moisture, which helps regulate body temperature through evaporation, although this mechanism is less efficient in cats compared to humans. Additionally, cats have a small number of sweat glands scattered throughout their fur-covered skin, but these are minimal and play a limited role in thermoregulation. Cats rely more on other cooling methods, such as grooming, panting, and seeking cooler environments, to manage their body temperature. The limited distribution of sweat glands in cats is an evolutionary adaptation, as their fur would impede the effectiveness of widespread sweating. Understanding this anatomical feature highlights the unique ways cats have evolved to cope with heat and maintain homeostasis.