What Causes “Frito Feet”?
Hello,
Many people on Dogster have discussed a phenomenon
referred to as Frito feet. Many breeds of dogs get
a corn chip sort of smell to their feet. Some
people find the odor stronger after napping. We
asked our vet and no one in the office had heard
of it before. I was a biology major and was hoping
to understand something about how it relates to
canine physiology. Maybe you can solve the
mystery.
Emahlie
Portland / Corvallis OR
I also have noticed that some dogs’ feet have a rather pungent odor. I’ve never heard of the term “Frito feet” before, but it is a sensible name for the syndrome if you ask me.
Bacteria and yeast naturally reside on the skin of all animals, including cats and dogs. The feet of both species contain many folds and pockets, such as the areas between toes and the spaces between the foot pads. These areas have increased levels of moisture and decreased air circulation at the level of the skin.
The increased moisture and decreased air circulation in these environments enables the resident bacteria and yeast to proliferate exuberantly. These micro-organisms give off odors, and I suspect that they are the cause of Frito feet. Because cats groom themselves more thoroughly than dogs, they are less likely to have foot odor.
One bacteria in particular is famous for smelling like corn tortillas. That bacteria is called Pseudomonas. It is often associated with skin or ear infections, and I can’t promise that it has anything to do with causing Frito feet. But I am a bit suspicious.
I should point out that most dogs with Frito feet don’t have infected feet. Rather, they have mildly increased numbers of micro-organisms on their feet. The best way to prevent the smell is to regularly clean and dry your dog’s feet.
You have questions. 
Ahhh…the corn chip paw….right up there with puppy breath…this was a scent I just couldn’t get enough of and would actually smell my poochies paws after a curled up nap ( I happen to like fritto’s)…never did the smelll offend me in any way…it’s good to know the cause though…thanks!
I was just talking about this with someone, regarding my mother’s German Shepherd- only I call them Popcorn Paws. Now I know what the cause is. Can’t say I find it offensive, either! LOL! But thanks for the info on the cause!
That is funny…I was just telling a friend yesterday that one of my cats smells like Frito’s and cardboard, and the other smells like popcorn. Now I just need one that smells like salsa:o)
The smell of my dog’s feet was so good and comforting, I miss it so much. He was very clean and had his paws wiped frequently (grass allergy prevention) but it would return after a nap. The smell was heaven.
HA! I’m so glad I’m not the only one. I don’t find it offensive at all. I call them ‘popcorn paws’ as well. There’s actually a song entitled, “Popcorn Paws” by Murray Weinstock on the Tails of the City CD. One of my favorite doggie songs (unfortunately, this song isn’t on imeem.com)
I’ve known many dogs with Frito-feet (including my Sydney). I often sniff them when she’s relaxing or napping. Glad to know it isn’t something we have to worry about, ’cause I just LOVE that smell. I have to agree with Diane - it is right up there with puppy breath!
my boxer always smells like that! she has recurring mange so i thought it was the smell of a skin infection. i always tell her she smells like tortilla chips! or corn tortillas.
Dorito Toes! That’s what I call them. I’d much rather deal with this form of stinky feet than the people form! I think it’s cute.
I think that Frito feet is a fungus condition that makes the feet smell. (I’ve always liked the smell, too!) My dog has that and also has fungus problems in her ears sometimes and her privates, too. (Hmm, do dogs have privates, really?) It makes her gnaw and lick on them like there is no tomorrow and it gets worse in the summer months. My vet says it is part of an allergy problem. We use an anti-fungal shampoo and have tried a cream and a spray but nothing really solves it. Warmer weather makes it much worse (fungus thrives in damp heat). I feel bad for her cause it obviously is irritating and then she will gnaw her feet raw in places and so that has to be really painful and it causes a viscous cycle.
I just and absolutely adore those puppy feet, could sniff them for hours. To me, it somehow smells like superb Thai food. Then again, it also smells like grass, earth, sunlight, freedom….. if there were a way to bottle it, what a perfum this would be!
How I love this smell! The last thing I did after kissing my boy Dallas good-by last October after I had to put him to sleep, was smell his paws. What I wouldn’t do for one my smell. I do know that Riley’s (new black lab puppy 8 months old) paws didn’t have this smell a while ago. But just gave him a sniff the other day and I think I smell it and I couldn’t be happier!!!!
P.S. One must always stop and smell the paws!
Ha! Great that this is a topic. Of course we’ve noticed it!
The bacterial overgrowth theory makes a lot of sense, even accounting for its being more noticeable after napping (same phenomenon as morning breath).
I’d like to point out that, to me (a Clinical Lab Scientist) the typical Pseudomonas smell is different to canine Frito Foot - at least in my guys.
Someone really needs to do an extensive study. Wouldn’t that be fun?
I wake up to my little Peanuts CHEETO PAWS every morning and I wouldnt change it for the world, LUV THEM LUV THEM!!
I lOVE Dorito Paws!! I thought I was the only one to experience this wonderful aroma…great to know that others have experienced it as well. Everyday I look forward to smell my IG’s paws!!
OMG this is hilarious!!!! I thought it was only my dog. I even call him “corn chip”. I love my little Chihuahuas corn chip scent LMFAO! I sniff his paws all the time. My fiance thinks i’m disgusting.
Oh yes, the wonderful smell of “sleepy dog feet” I thought I was the only one who sniffed dog feet. It is a wonderful warm yeasty smell. I haven’t smelled that smell lately. My hound passed away in February.
I have new puppy breath now. I haven’t had a chance to check out Ryliegh’s feet yet.
With my “niece”, a Weimeraner, we always call it Popcorn Toes. My dog Nera is a husky possibly mixed with Shiba Inu. She does not seem to have this phenomena but Shiba’s are known for excessive grooming habits. She grooms herself almost as much as my cat. I have to go to over brother’s house to get my Popcorn Toe Fix!
Frito Feet!!!! Indeed that is what it is called in laymans terms. Like a post a few above me, that and puppy breath are the epitome of dog smells that an owner loves. I do smell my pups frito feet on occasion, and tell her she smells like nachos. I love my pups frito feet!!!!
OMG!!! I actually thought about seeing a therapist about my obsession with the smell of Di and Buster’s paws.
There’s nothing like getting hit by those big floppity, cutsie feet when I get home. If they smelled any other way I might be offended. It’s like taking off leather shoes without the nasty foot odor. “Fritopaws” must be normal; you can’t bathe it away…and why would you want to?
My bassets have it, specially after napping. It’s very comforting!
Glad to know I am not the only one who likes the smell of Frito Feet!! HAHA I have to agree that puppy breath and frito feet are wonderful dog smells.. we are quite an odd bunch aren’t we??!! ;-)
I thought I was the only one that loved frito feet and coined that term, darn… but I call her tortilla toes too. love that eau de Lo. athletes paw is alright with me!
Wow. I’m so glad I am not the only one to notice (and love!) what has been called “Frito Feet” here…but I termed popcorn feet on my Murfee, a collie, and my shepherds years back. It’s a “good dog” scent, and very comforting.
I too like the smell of my dog’s feet. I could never quite describe the smell, but after reading this I know! I even stopped to smell Choc’s feet and sure enough, y;all are right. Frito feet. Tortilla toes. Popcorn paws. (I’m just glad to know there are plenty of other dog-parents out there who like to smell their dogs feet!)
Finally, people that don’t think i’m crazy. I love my dogs Frito Feet and I’m proud of it!
OMG! Yeaaaah I’m not crazy. Sometimes when I hold I notice it is stronger than some days. I could never undeerstand it, I’m thinking I just got her groomed and she stinks again? I kept telling my husband her feet smell like corn chips. I am so glad I saw this, now I know. By the way she is a Shih Tzu.
And here I thought it was mostly dachshunds and hounds with the great smell of Frito Feet! I have one (Roxie) that is the strongest I have ever smelled. Especially when she sleeps under the covers…you lift up the blankets in the morning and it smells like a whole factory of Fritos!
Sniff on, dog lovers!
When Cracker passed away I missed the smell of his Frito feet in the morning so much…. Now I have two new adoptee’s & I enjoy their frito feet as well……..Who’d have thought it was a fungus?!?!
Awesome! I am so glad you posed this question! Thanks to my sister, Corinne, above, for providing me with the link. People thought we were nuts smelling our dogs feet and saying they smelled like Fritos. Now we know we’re NOT.
Sometimes Ringo’s feet seem to smell more like popcorn, or just plain corn chips. Regardless, it puts me in the mood for a snack.
Ringo is a bichon frise. Apparently this phenomenon is not breed-specific.
That’s really funny, at least now I know I am not the only one who sniffs my dog’s paws. I call him my lil corn chip dog!
This isn’t surprising, dogs don’t wear anything that protects their paws from the elements. If we were to walk everywhere barefooted, our feet would get a scent too! :o)
Our first dog was rescued with his brother from the middle of the road; our neighbors kept “Diesel” and we got “Pepper.” Pepper lived inside and the neighbors left Diesel out day and night. Whenever Diesel came over to play, I would always say he smelled like stale Fritos!! Not a terribly offensive smell, but definitely “corny.” Now I know why. (Although I have never smelled any dogs’ feet to notice this on a regular basis . . .)
My German Shepherd not only has Frito Feet, when she needs a bath, her whole body smells like a giant bag of fritos. We tease her about it all the time!
Oh, my goodness, this is the silliest thing! So my little Bubba isn’t the only little corn chip dog with Frito feet! This my first pet and I am having so much fun learning all these new things about dogs. I don’t know how I ever survived without a puppy.
Frito Feet! I love it! I’ve been telling my Callie that she has Dipsy Doodle feet. She sneaks naps on my bed during the day, and as if the little sinkhole in between my pillows doesn’t give it away, the enchanting smell of Salty Paws always does! Anyone who thinks it’s gross to sniff those furry little tranquilizers needs to walk on a bed of tostitos!
THIS IS HILLARIOUS! I thought I was the only one that called it that! I think it’s right up there with puppy’s breath too! Glad to know there are more Frito Feet out there!
I have a pair of Great Danes and their feet smell something awful, especially when wet. Frito feet… popcorn paws? Ranks right up there with dog breath and bad gas.
I am glad to finally hear an explanation for this phenomena. My dog, Bijou (Rat Terrier/Border Collie) has tortilla chip feet. My mom’s dog, Chloe (Boxer), has toast feet. The dog I grew up with, Tashawna (Chow/Shepherd/Husky), had toast feet as well. I agree that this is one of the greatest smells on earth. Mmmm, puppy smell…
My Pomeranian gets Frito Feet. When I first wake up and he is sleeping at the foot of my bed, all I have to do is stroke his head and he rolls over on his back so I can sniff the Frito Feet. I think it’s a warm, cuddly smell (maybe because he’s little, so it’s not overpowering…)
OMD! We should have asked you sooner. My wife always says ‘Your feet stink like fritos” but I’m glad to read others above are like and translate that odorous smell into something comforting. Woof!
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I can’t wait to share this with my daughter.She’s always saying my Pomeranian smells like wet socks even after I groom him.It makes me so angry.My dogs are my babies ,I am so glad to show her it’s normal.And my baby doesn’t smell.Glad to know there are more Frito feet out there.
When someone asks me what my favorite smell is I always answer, “My dogs feet!” I love the little Frito feet!
All my 5 pooches have FRITO Feet!! Puppy breath and FRITO FEET - thats what I love about dogs!!!
No matter what name you give it the cutsie smell of your pets paws is so very adorable. Puppy (or Bologne) breath is adorable too. :)
Both my dogs’ feet (pads) smell like hot buttered popcorn–all the time, unless they’ve stepped in “something.” I think they smell wonderful…. The bigger dog is more pronounced. Neither has an objectionable natural body or breath odor, either.
I once had a cocker/beagle mix who was just plain stinky, but did not have skin, breath or ear problems. Someone told me that dogs with short hard coats like hounds and labs have more oil glands and that’s what causes the smell.
Butyric glyceride (not butyric acid itself–smells like barf) is one of the components of fresh butter’s fragrance–I wonder if that’s part of the dog paw smell… Dogs are really sensitive to butyr— compounds. So that could be a good way for them to smell each others’ presence on the ground.
OMG! I LOVE this thread! My beagle has Frito feet too! I used to call them buttered popcorn feet until someone else said “they smell more like Fritos!” I totally agree…and I’m embarassed to say I smell them all the time!
My son and I are both incorrigible dog-paw sniffers. We are also very bad about sniffing a horse’s neck under its mane.
There are no sweeter, cleaner, earthier scents than those two. (Unless you count the way a human infant’s head smells….)
I agree, bottle it up, I’ll buy it.
(I guess I’m another sick puppy)