It’s something that happens to all of us who have dogs. You’re sitting on the couch with your furry family member, and a familiar smell starts to take over. The smell? Corn chips. First, what is causing this smell on my dog’s feet? The primary method for a dog to sweat is through their feet. When sweat is released, it causes moisture between the paw pads and toes. If you combine this moisture with the usual daytime heat, bacteria can find their way in between your dog’s toes especially if they don’t dry out regularly. Keep in mind that this is very common in dogs as they love to lick their feet.
Dogs Examination
Most dogs with the corn chip smell have no infections on their paws. Usually, it is caused by a small number of bacteria and is normal for dogs to carry. However, some dogs do run into an issue where there is an overabundance of bacteria or have a combination of yeast and bacteria. This in turn could cause inflammation and irritation which will make dogs lick or chew on their feet.
If the smell is normal and isn’t an indication of an infection, is there anything I can do to get rid of it?
Soak your dog’s feet in lukewarm water and wash the paw pads with hypoallergenic soap.
The key thing to remember is that smelly corn chip paws are normal, but it’s always good to check on them to make sure nothing looks out of the ordinary. Dr. Lindsey Gapstur, supervising veterinarian for Larimer Humane Society, reminds you to check your pet’s paws regularly for signs of burns, injuries, or other problems, particularly after exercising or hiking.
Judy Calhoun is the director for Larimer Humane Feet Society. To learn more, visit larimerhumane.org.