Why do my Dog’s Feet Smell?
I have a year old chihuahua and for some reason her feet smell…I have washed them on and off which helps for a bit but it keep’s happening. Any idea whats going on with my baby’s feet?
Joann
Ridge, NY
Do your dog’s feet by any chance smell like corn chips? I am guessing that you are experiencing the infamous syndrome that Dogster folks refer to as Frito feet (click the link to see what I have written on the subject before).
Dogs’ feet have areas of reduced air circulation. The spaces between the toes on the top of the feet and between the pads on the bottom of the feet are most prone to this. The reduced air circulation in these areas allows more moisture to build up in these spots than elsewhere on the body.
Bacteria and yeast grow in slightly greater numbers in these humid areas. The bacteria and especially the yeast give off a slight odor that causes the characteristic smell of Frito feet.
The overwhelming majority of dogs with Frito feet do not have pathological infections. The syndrome is harmless. Eliminating the odor is very difficult, but it also isn’t necessary.
If your dog’s foot odor is truly offensive you should have a vet check him out to confirm that the skin is healthy and that something else isn’t going on. But I’m guessing that nothing’s wrong.
You have questions. 
I love that smell!! I could never place it though – Fritos is a pretty good comparison. I could lay down with my collie-mix (http://www.dogster.com/dogs/924284) and smell her feet for hours!
I thought it smelled like nacho doritos lolol
There is absolutely nothing sweeter in life than my Machos Frito feet – could just indulge in that smell for hours! And my former beloved doggie had the same smell – of love, grass, freedom, sun, rain – the universe!
I love that smell!! I always grab Daisy’s paws. :)
All my cats have had “corn chip feet”. Would the same bacteria be causing it as it does in dogs? Even though cats clean their feet religiously (at least mine do) – inbetween their toes and all.
My Pomeranian, Sheltie mix has “Frito” feet. I’ve never heard of it until recently! I thought something was wrong as I bathe him every month! Glad to know that it’s harmless. Doesn’t really bother me either. I like Frito’s! Ole!
I thought I was the only one that likes the smell of my dog’s paws! There’s something rather addicting about the smell.
Mmmmm Frito’s, now I’m hungry.
Stormy’s paws always smelled like popcorn and her head always smelled like chicken. I loved it! No wonder all the other dogs wanted to smell her…she smelled like dinner, LOL!
My sister’s dog has the Frito smelling paws and she recently called me very concerned about it. I will send her a copy of this article. Thanks!
Great article…even thought it has made me hungry thinking about Frito’s…as in frito lay potato chips…I love chips! *Drools*
a nice follow up article would be about bathing us dogs. How often should would be bathed? Is twice a month to much? I think you should say a dog should be bathed once a year because I HATE baths! I would really appreciate it.
P. S. Also could you tell Mommy potato chips are good for me because she does not believe me!
My dogs feet smelled like Fritos until I started them on a grain-free diet. Now the smell is gone. It’s worth a try if you dislike the frito smell.
Chloe’s on a grain-free diet and she still has what I’ve always referred to as “Frito Toes”.
@Stormy B. Naughty: I’m happy to know that I’m not the only one who thinks their dog’s head smells like chicken!
Who is that darling pup in the photograph? What a sweet picture.
I noticed a funky smell coming from my dog when it was bedtime. His bed is next to mine and sometimes he starts his sleep by rolling over on his back and that puts his paws up near my head and I’d smell something funky that I never would smell during the day.
I couldn’t figure it out until I got down on the floor and took a whiff of him and then of his paws and that’s when I noticed the fritos paws. A little more funky that fritos, but at least “he” doesn’t stink.
He’s on a grain free diet, but his paws still stink.
BOL! This is old news for us. My feet have always smelled like fritos and I do not have any corn in my diet. hee hee. Mommy has a group here on Dogster that she created a few years ago called “The Corn Chip Gang” ha ha ha.
I LOVE that smell….I always compared it to doritos and now since my baby is gone, i can’t help but think of him when i buy doritos at the store…i loved it…and i miss him so…enjoy the smell if they have it…it’s someting you’ll never forget. :)
There is absolutely no doubt that we would not hesitate to attempt to revive any dog or cat. They are our most precious gifts and bringing them back would be a mission of life and mercy
I did mouth to snout on my golden retriever, Kodiak. We were on our way to UC Davis when he stopped breathing, and I heard his heart beat 3 times, very loudly.
It was the hardest thing I have ever done… and while it didn’t save him, I would do it over again, but try doing the chest compressions, too.
Rest in peace, my Kody
We have only had our baby a couple of months but i kept smelling something stinky (like fritos) and finally figured it out that it was her feet omg do they stink so i started searching to see if i could eliminate it or worry about it but ty for this site VERY helpful so she will start getting her baths more often im hoping that will help
I love that smell too. I call it pop-corn feet.
After a hard days work, I always look forward on smelling my Morkie’s paws when I get home. I absolutely love her stinky paws :)