Why Your Dog's Paws Smell Like Fritos: Is it Normal?

If you're like many dog owners, you've probably caught a whiff of Fritos corn chips on your dog's paws.

Find out what causes this smell, when to worry and how you can keep your dog's paws clean.

Why Your Dog's Paws Smell Like Fritos

If your dog's paws smell like Fritos or corn chips, that doesn't mean they're infected. Instead, it's from healthy levels of bacteria they pick up daily.

"Dogs have normal levels of bacteria and yeast on their feet that leads to the Fritos smell," Dr. Amy Stone, DVM and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine, told Newsweek.

The Proteus and Pseudomonas bacteria and yeast are the most common reasons for a Fritos smell on dogs' paws. None of these are cause for concern if Fritos smell is the only thing you notice about your pet's paws.

Should You Get Rid of the Frito Paw Smell?

"Dog owners should not attempt to get rid of the smell," Stone said. "Dogs are not supposed to smell like roses or lavender. They appreciate the aroma of their own skin."

If you notice a smell on your dog that you're not sure about, speak to your vet about removing it. Don't obsess over your dog's scent or try to make them smell perfect.

Washing your dog too often can remove the natural oils from their hair and skin. These are important to keep a healthy coat.

How To Tell If Your Dog Has a Paw Infection

Fritos smell is normal, but other smells on your dog's paws could be a warning sign for infection. Stone says old wet stocks and moldy cheese smells can indicate that the level of bacteria on your dog's paws has gotten out of control.

Besides smells, Stone recommends looking for physical symptoms like:

• Redness
• Bumps
• Hair loss
• General swelling
• Pain

Dogs may be hesitant to let you handle their paws, but you can make this process easier by starting early. Play with your dog's paws while they are young puppies, if possible.

"Make a habit of doing a foot check at least twice a week," Stone said. This gives you an idea of what's normal for your dog, so you'll notice when symptoms of paw infections show up.

Paw licking is another important sign of infection. If you notice your dog licking their paws more than once or twice a day, check their paws for other signs of infection.

If your dog shows signs of a paw infection, schedule a visit with your veterinarian as soon as possible. They can formally diagnose the infection and recommend treatment options. They may recommend antibiotic medication or antifungal ointments, depending on the nature of the infection.

How To Keep Your Dog's Feet Clean

To avoid infections and keep your dog's feet healthy and clean, Stone recommends keeping your pet away from harmful surfaces. Those include:

• Very hot surfaces, like asphalt on a summer day
• Very cold surfaces, like ice
• Abrasive surfaces, like sharp gravel

She also recommends wiping your dog's feet with unscented baby wipes at the end of the day. "This will remove grass, debris and dirt while leaving the normal microbiome of the feet in place," Stone said.

Dr. Karen Becker, DVM, recommends giving your dog regular foot baths in water and povidone-iodine. The ratio doesn't need to be exact. Dr. Becker suggests diluting the povidone-iodine in water until it looks like iced tea.

Other Signs of Unhealthy Dog Paws

Besides bad smells and other symptoms of paw infections, watch for these signs that something is wrong with your dog's feet:

• Bleeding can indicate that your dog stepped on something sharp and cut their paw pad.
• Small brown lumps stuck between your dog's toes could be ticks.
• Split nails could indicate fungal infections, poor diet or autoimmune diseases.

Pay close attention to your dog's body and behavior so you'll notice when your pet shows signs they're unwell. Consult with your veterinarian at the first signs of trouble.