Why Does My Dog’s Paws Smell Like Popcorn?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

This smell is

usually caused by bacteria that naturally reside on your dog's paw pads

. These bacteria– particularly Proteus and Pseudomonas bacterias– give off yeasty odors. That's the corn chip smell, and it's a natural odor. Nothing to worry about!

How do I get rid of the corn smell on my dogs paws?

If you want to reduce the corn chip smell,

wash your dog's feet regularly with a gentle, pet-approved shampoo

. Dry thoroughly, paying special attention to the areas in between the toes. Trim any long hairs in between the toes as well, and while you're at it, clip the toenails if they are too long.

Is it normal for my dog to smell like popcorn?

Even the cleanest, healthiest pooch has trillions of bacteria and fungi living on their skin.

That yeasty, corn chip smell is actually a normal byproduct of harmless bacteria, usually Proteus or Pseudomonas

, both of which are naturally present in our environment.

Why does my dog smell like old popcorn?

It is

usually caused by a mixture of yeast and proteus bacteria

, which are found on the surface of the skin in areas that are often moist, warm and a bit dirty. This produces a perfect environment for these microorganisms. Sometimes, pseudomonas – a more aggressive bacterium – can be involved as well.

Why does my feet smell like buttered popcorn?

It's medically known as bromodosis.

Your feet usually get smelly because of a build-up in sweat, which causes bacteria to grow on your skin and give off a bad odour

. Some of the other causes of smelly feet include wearing sweaty shoes and socks, and poor foot hygiene.

Why does my dog smell like cheese popcorn?


Yeast Infection

.

An overgrowth of yeast is a fairly common problem for dogs and causes a pungent, musty smell that will remind you of moldy bread or cheese popcorn, and can result in ear problems, stinky paws, and smelly skin.

Do dogs have scent glands in their paws?

The dog also uses the scent of its paws to increase the strength of it's left-behind smell.

Dogs have glands under their paw pads

and bacteria between the toes, which creates an individual scent when wiped on the ground.

How do I treat my dogs Fritos paws?

Recommended is a gallon of water, a cup of hydrogen peroxide, and 1-4 cups of white vinegar. Soak your dog's feet in the solution. There's no need to rinse. Just pat the paws dry.

Is Frito feet bad for dogs?


The bacteria and yeast that cause Frito feet aren't typically dangerous for your pet

, but if the smell becomes overwhelming or foul there may be an underlying health concern that needs to be addressed. Yeast or bacterial overgrowth can cause significant problems for pets with allergies or compromised immune systems.

What bacteria smells like popcorn?


Proteus bacteria

, known for their “sweet, corn tortilla smell” (?!), may be responsible for the popcorn scent of your dog's feet.

What bacteria smells like buttered popcorn?


The binturong

. Whatever you call this shy, shaggy-haired creature from Southeast Asia, many people who have met one notice the same thing: it smells like a movie theater snack bar. Most describe it as hot buttered popcorn.

Why do dogs paws smell nice?

Just like human feet get a little sweaty, so can a dog's (yep, dog paw pads sweat!). That scent from your pooch's paws

comes from totally natural bacteria that grow in between a dog's toes, namely Proteus or Pseudomonas

.

Why does my dog smell like stinky feet?

Odorous Paws

If your pet's paws smell funky, it could be that

dirt or other debris has gotten trapped between their toes or paw pads

. In this case, you may need to simply wipe or wash their paws off.

Why does my dog lick his paws?

Dogs often lick their paws excessively

if they are itchy, irritated, or painful

. A paw injury or foreign object may explain a sudden onset of paw-licking. 1 The dog may have stepped on something that causes discomfort, like a sharp object or hot pavement.

Can I soak my dogs paws in vinegar?

How do I Treat My Dog's Irritated Paws? ACV will soothe the irritation on paws that are infected by bacteria due to excessive licking and scratching.

Soak the paws of your pooch in two-part water to one part Apple Cider Vinegar bath for 5 minutes

. Just pat dry the paws and do not rinse them.

Why do women's feet smell like vinegar?

It's a byproduct of the bacteria on your feet consuming your sweat. If your feet smell like vinegar, it's

most likely the result of propionibacteria breaking down your sweat and producing propionic acid

, which is similar to acetic acid (vinegar).

How is bromodosis treated?

  1. Wash feet every day with an antibacterial soap and a brush or washcloth. …
  2. Keep toenails trimmed short and clean under the nails each day.
  3. Use a pumice stone or foot file to remove hard, dead skin from your feet.

Why do I smell buttered popcorn?

Brief episodes of phantom smells or phantosmia — smelling something that's not there —

can be triggered by temporal lobe seizures, epilepsy, or head trauma

. Phantosmia is also associated with Alzheimer's and occasionally with the onset of a migraine.

What does a yeast infection smell like on a dog?

If your dog is itching and has a distinctive

musty smell or if his feet smell like Corn Chips, or ears smell like musty mold

, he may have a yeast infection. Yeast is tremendously itchy.

Why does my dog smell like he's rotting?

The smell comes from

dead tissue

. The virus mounts such an attack on the lining of the intestine that it causes intestinal cells to die. The dead cells slough off and make their way into a dog's waste. “Dead tissue has a really nasty odor,” says Dr.

How often should you bathe your dog?

Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesn't need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, it's a good idea to bathe your pooch

at least once every two to three months

.

Why do dogs scratch after pooping?

If you notice your dog scraping frantically at the ground or kicking debris behind them,

it's usually an act of marking their territory

, formerly known as “scrape behavior.” While you may not always catch your dog in the act, their bodies are busy producing an important chemical reaction that allows them to communicate …

Why do dogs scratch after peeing and pooping?

Observed in wild canids, ground pawing is considered a marking behavior that either leaves a scent message from the paws, helps to share the odor of the urine or feces they just dropped, or masks bathroom odors, and thus avoids tipping off possible prey.

Do dogs smell fear?

The science is in, and the answer is a resounding YES—

dogs can smell fear

. Dogs have olfactory superpowers that can detect a human's emotional state by the scent that a human emits. That's right—you can't hide fear from dogs. They've got your number!

What can I put on my dogs stinky feet?


Olive oil, coconut oil, tea tree oil

can be rubbed into the paw pads to help kill bacteria and relieve itchiness from paw pad yeast infection called pododermatitis (or Dorito smell). Use paw balm to protect paws all year round.

Why does my 4 month old puppy smell like fish?

If your dog is emiting a fishy odor, the most likely cause is that

the anal glands are impacted and need to be released

. The anal sacs are the size of peas and are psoitioned on both side of the inside of your dog's rectum. These sacs have an oily substance that is released through your dog's excrement.

Can I soak my dogs paws in baking soda?

Warm Water & Baking Soda


Just 2 tablespoons of baking soda mixed into a gallon of warm water is enough to soothe your dog's paws

. Since baking soda is super effective, you only need to soak their paws for a minute or two.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.