Did you ever wonder why the feet of your chihuahua has an odd odor? You aren’t alone. Many pet owners are curious as to why their animals’ paws and skin give off distinct odors. Owners mention the strange “Fritos” fragrance coming from their dog’s feet as one weird odor. Never worry if your chihuahua smell like corn chips.
You may have noticed that your chihuahuas feet smell somewhat like Fritos or corn chips if you approach near enough to them. Some dog owners enjoy the smell. Others might find the odor disagreeable and perhaps question whether it indicates ill health. Dogs can’t communicate with humans, so it’s our responsibility to understand what odors are typical and when it would be appropriate to step in and seek veterinarian treatment.
It comes as no surprise when dogs are inclined to step on or dig into stinky objects, leaving their feet smelling. However, some dogs may also have feet that are clean but consistently smell like corn chips. It is good for pet parents to be aware of what to look for or smell when it comes to their dog’s feet since this distinctive aroma may be a symptom of an illness. Here are some reasons why your chihuahua smells like corn chips.
What is Frito Feet Smell
Chihuahuas aren’t recognized for having pleasant smells, let’s face it. Dogs don’t keep their “fresh from the bath” aroma for very long because of their propensity for examining trash and other unappealing objects. There is one fragrance coming from their paws that isn’t precisely unpleasant and seems to be virtually widespread. It is the curiously recognizable aroma of corn chips.
This peculiar fragrance, often known as “Frito feet,” sometimes leaves dog owners puzzled why their pets’ paws smell like a favorite snack dish. In most cases, the smell on your pet’s paws is nothing to be concerned about. The skin contains fungus and bacteria, which, when in balance, are healthy and normal. The bacterium Pseudomonas or Proteus, which has a yeasty stench that may smell like corn chips, is what causes the “Fritos foot” phenomenon.
Pets also perspire through their paws in addition to these considerations. Yes, it is accurate. You can probably picture how you’ll smell if you forget your deodorant. Sweaty paws and microorganisms from your pet’s tongue when they clean them are what’s behind the offensive odor. This combination speeds up the growth of bacteria and the stench.
Reasons Why Your Chihuahua Feet Smell Like Corn Chips
The quick and simple explanation for why your dog’s feet smell like Fritos. Every day, our dogs traverse a variety of surfaces and take up naturally occurring germs on their paw pads. When combined with the saliva from grooming and the customary perspiration from the paw pads, two species of bacteria, Pseudomonas & Proteus, commonly produce the fragrance of corn chips.
🐶Clean and Go
Regularly washing your dog’s feet with a mild, pet-approved shampoo will help to lessen the corn chip scent. Dry completely, being especially careful to dry the spaces between the toes. Along with trimming any long hairs in between the toes, you should also consider trimming any excessively long toenails while you’re at it. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to make an appointment if you need assistance with nail trimming.
🐶Trouble Happening
You don’t need to be concerned if the scent of corn chips doesn’t annoy you. However, your Chihuahua has to see a veterinarian if the stench gets too bad or you spot other warning signs of problems. Your pet may be suffering from allergies, an illness, or an accident.
Please call us if you see your chihuahua biting or gnawing at its feet, tummy, or crotch. Additionally, keep an eye out for any redness or discomfort, and contact us right away if you detect a corn chip odor coming out of their ears because it might be a sign of an infection.
🐶Chihuahua Are Complicated
Chihuahuas have many components and are far more complex than you would think. At the very end, some claws resemble human nails in many ways. On the inside of the foot, farther back, they have an additional dew claw. The digital pads, which correspond to four smaller front pads, are the next set of toes.
The metacarpal pad is the single, bigger pad located behind them. Last but not least, the carpal pad is located in the rear of the foot, close to the area we refer to as the “ankle joint.” Some breeds, like the Newfoundland and also the Dachshund, have webbing on their feet, which adds to the complexity of their feet.
🐶Chihuahua Have Spongey Pads to Walk On
The underside of a chihuahua is covered with spongey pads. These enable wild canines to walk across harsh terrain for extended distances while safeguarding the foot’s fragile anatomy. Additionally, they serve as shock absorbers, protecting joints to some extent. You may have observed that your dog seems unaware as it walks through chilly puddles and on icy terrain.
This is due to the paw pads’ additional insulation function. Instead of just one, a dog’s foot has many paw pads, which gives it flexibility. This indicates that there are warm, moist gaps in between the pads, which are perfect for the development of yeast and bacteria.
🐶Chihuahua Don’t Keep Away from Musty Things
Chihuahuas appear to be drawn to smelly objects. Dogs are drawn to things like decomposing corpses and fox droppings, despite our opinion that they smell awful! It could have started when they were wild dogs and lived as scavengers. Additionally, they enjoy rolling in unpleasant substances and have no trouble stepping into them. This may result in odorous feet.
🐶The Paws of Chihuahuas Sweat
The majority of the body’s sweat glands are absent from the chihuahua. Instead, they rely on panting to keep them cool. On their paws, they do, however, have sweat glands. They contain merocrine sweat glands, which work similarly to human sweat glands in producing sweat. On a warm day, your dog may have left wet footsteps behind; this is perspiration.
The paws also include apocrine glands, which create pheromones, which are chemical messages. Your dog could kick the floor after passing waste because it is scenting the area. Both kinds of perspiration are wet and include ingredients that yeasts and bacteria may use to survive. This is another explanation for why there are many microbes on a chihuahua’s foot.
Smelly Problems With Chihuahua Feet
Chihuahuas are prone to having their paws cut, toes broken, feet punctured, paw pads burned on hot pavement, and other foot issues. However, when feet smell, it’s usually due to germs, yeast, or the dog stepping in something unpleasant. These germs can form as a result of injuries, and if they are not treated, infections may result. However, not every fragrance denotes a problem because certain odors are simply typical of a dog.
👃Bacteria and Yeast Smell
An area of the body that has been invaded by bacteria or yeast experiences tissue death. The bacteria themselves also produce certain compounds that produce scents, but the chemicals released during this die-off are what gives off the stench we detect. This implies that some varieties of bacteria and yeast have extremely unique odors, and the odor that humans perceive from a wound or unclean surface is caused by chemicals that are the direct result of infectious organisms.
👃Corn Chip Smell
Most people are aware that dogs perspire through panting, but their main method of cooling themselves is through their feet. Glands release sweat, which naturally results in wetness between paw pads & toes. Bacteria or yeast can enter when moisture and heat mix without being given the proper opportunity to routinely dry off.
Dogs frequently experience this because their fur wants to keep damp, and in addition to sweat, it may also happen when a chihuahua licks its feet frequently or spends time in the water. The result is that some bacteria & yeast will give dogs’ paws a corn chip odor.
Problem For Your Chihuahua Feet
Although a lot of people would assume that having feet that smell like corn chips means they have a problem, this isn’t frequently the case. Most dogs with feet that smell like corn chips don’t have paw infections. It is very natural for dogs to carry the little quantities of germs that are the source of this distinctive odor. However, some dogs do have a bacterial overgrowth or a bacterial and yeast infection. This condition, known as pododermatitis, is an issue if it affects your dog’s feet.
Inflammation and discomfort will occur if a dog’s feet are overrun with germs and yeast. Because of this discomfort, dogs frequently lick or chew on their feet; if your dog is doing and its feet smell like corn chips, it likely has a problem rather than simply a typical, little level of germs. When this is the issue, you should take your dog to the clinic to have the illness treated.
📌Treatment for Corn Chip-Smelling Feet
Your veterinarian may do a test to determine if the pododermatitis is brought on by bacteria, yeast, or both if your chihuahua gets feet that smell like corn chips as a result of an illness. This will impact how you handle the corn chip odor. The use of medicated wipes, sprays, shampoo, mousse, or other topical treatments may well be advised, but if the issue persists, your doctor may advise a diet change for your dog. To avoid further problems, specific diets may be required as food allergies and sensitivities might lead to pododermatitis.
📌Feet Are Not the Issue
Sometimes it’s not the paws that people say smell like corn chips; rather, it’s the rest of the dog’s body, face, or ears. Anywhere a dog has skin, particularly if there are creases and spaces for germs to hide, can develop bacterial and yeast infections. Make sure to get your dog evaluated for a greater issue if the corn chip scent never appears to go away or simply continues growing worse.
📌Causes To Smell of Corn Chips
Dogs’ skin always has some degree of fungus and germs on it. Dr. Jerry Klein, DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club, states that Pseudomonas and Proteus bacteria can cause your dog’s feet to smell yeasty and like corn chips. Dogs pant to regulate their body temperature.
The “Fritos fragrance is entirely natural” and doesn’t indicate that your dog has a fungal or bacterial illness, adds Dr. Amy Attas, VMD. “Since they don’t perspire, the only area dogs have to cool themselves is on the bottom of their feet.” According to Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM, these odor-causing bacteria might become an issue “if they proliferate out of control.” “Bumps, redness, swelling, or a change in your dog’s behavior, like limping and excessive licking,” are indications of unwell feet.
📌Attempt to Get Eliminate the Odor
Compared to human noses, Chihuahua noses are far more sensitive. Dogs’ smell senses can be 10,000–100,000 times more powerful than ours, depending on the breed. Dogs may find it quite uncomfortable to be perfumed or to have scented items used on their hair.
Dr. Attas underlines that dogs want to smell like other canines. If you don’t enjoy the Fritos fragrance, she advises not placing your face close to your dog’s feet and using neutral wipes & soaps that are specially developed for dogs. “You don’t want to cover the odor and add something to it.
How to Avoid Corn Chip Feet
There is often no cause for concern if your dog’s feet smell like Fritos. Being infected is not the same as having germs present. The bacteria live on the surface rather than within the body. There are specific circumstances, though, where you need to show greater care. So, if your dog has Frito feet, carefully examine their paws to make sure everything appears to be in order. Changes in color and texture, bleeding, or discharge are all warning indications.
Here are some warning signs to watch out for:
Severe bacterial or yeast overgrowth The tissues in the region may begin to be invaded by this, which may cause the paws to become hot and red. Scales may also be developing, which you may have noticed.
Perpetual licking. Of course, all dogs occasionally lick their paws, but if your dog is continuously preoccupied with their paws, it may indicate a problem. Constant licking can cause irritation, inflammation, & infection by upsetting the skin’s delicate equilibrium.
Foreign substances Sharp items can become trapped in and between paw pads, including tiny stones, thorns, and glass shards. These may result in infections, which could give off an unpleasant odor.
Accumulation of rubbish Dust, mud, grass and other smaller debris can become lodged between the paw pads. Over time, this begins to deteriorate and might emit a foul stench.
Skin problems. The skin surrounding the paws may smell due to certain skin diseases, including allergic dermatitis & skin cancers.
Chihuahua Feet Smell
You don’t need to take any action! Frequently, Frito feet are in excellent condition. Here are some suggestions, though, if you think it’s something you want to keep an eye on.
Cleanliness of paws– cleaning the paw pads and the hair between them to limit the chance for germs to form.
Paw preservation- Cracked paws are more susceptible to bacterial invasion and the proliferation of microorganisms. Paws can be shielded with wax to keep them protected from chemicals, heat, and cold.
Maintain short nails- Trimmed nails lessen the danger of ripped nails, which can cause infection, and make it more pleasant for your dog to walk.
Between the pads, trim the hair- Trim the hair between the paw pads to prevent the accumulation of debris.
Cleaning paws- Clean your dog’s paws with fresh water or dedicated dog shampoo.
Medicinal wipes- These may lessen bacterial development, but first talk to your veterinarian.
Deal with allergies- Pododermatitis may result from food sensitivities (inflammations of paw skin). Ask your vet about switching your dog to a specific diet for dogs with allergies if you think they may have a food allergy.
Dog Feet Prone to Infection
Your canine feet can be an attraction for grime and dirt. The mix of hair, heat, and wetness creates an excellent breeding environment for germs and yeast, in addition to the restricted airflow between their toes. Dr. Attas claims that when these microbes accumulate, “dogs start licking their feet, which doesn’t remove the germs.” Instead, licking aggravates the footpad’s skin and increases the risk of infection.
Owners may not always become aware of an infection until it has developed to the point where it is causing their dogs pain or suffering. The eyes, ears, mouths, and feet of your dog should become accustomed to your touching and smelling them, according to experts. It’s better to begin when the dog is a puppy because an older dog may be less receptive to your prodding.
Specialist advises calling your veterinarian if your dog’s feet used to smell like Fritos but is now beginning to “smell like rotting cheese.” You’re more likely to spot a change in look and seek treatment earlier if you check your dog frequently and early. In addition, your dog will be more relaxed if you need to give him medicine.
How to Keep Dog’s Feet Healthy
You should only act if your dog exhibits infection-related symptoms including redness, increasing licking, hair loss all around the footpad, or a change in the scent of their feet because the Fritos smell isn’t a concern on its own. Experts advise using a dog-friendly shampoo that is antibacterial to wash dogs’ feet and a pet hair clipper to remove any extra hairs between their toes to properly clean their paws.
To prevent bacterial development, be sure to dry their feet completely after showering and to stretch out their toes. After a walk, clean your dog’s feet with alcohol-free, odorless baby wipes to remove dirt without removing the bacteria that is responsible for the Fritos odor. When you reach home, particularly if you live in an urban area, it’s a good idea to remove your shoes.
Unless your dog has been digging in the mud or has trodden in urine or feces, you shouldn’t usually bathe your dog’s feet. Your dog will lick the objects left behind to remove them. By thoroughly wiping their feet, you may keep your dog from eating dust and other allergens that could get caught between their toes.
It’s crucial to spend time knowing what your dog’s anatomy feels, looks and smells like when it’s healthy and free from infection, regardless of whether you own a puppy or even an older dog. Knowing your dog’s typical odors might make it easier for you to spot problems. Keep in mind that you don’t have to wash your feet excessively. Keep the Fritos odor and throw out the dirt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my dog’s feet don’t have the Frito scent?
A dog’s body may also smell like corn chips in other places. The same germs that cause the odor may be discovered in a dog’s ears and wrinkles on its skin. It is recommended to have it examined by a veterinarian because this might occasionally be a sign of an infection.
What natural cures for Frito feet?
To assist with Frito feet, you may make your dog a natural foot wash. All you have to do is combine a gallon of water with a cup of cider vinegar, then bathe their paws for five minutes. After that, thoroughly dry their paws with a soft cloth.
Why do Chihuahuas have a Fritos-like odor?
There are billions of germs and fungi living on the skin of even the cleanest, healthiest dog. The yeasty, corn chip-like scent is a typical result of safe bacteria, generally, Proteus and Pseudomonas, both of which can be found in our surroundings naturally.
Are Frito Feet A Problem?
Although the bacteria & yeast that create Frito feet are usually not harmful to your pet, if the scent is too strong or offensive, there may be a health issue that has to be treated.
How can the Frito odor on a dog be removed?
In a bucket, combine one gallon of warm water, four to six cups of white vinegar, and one cup of hydrogen peroxide. One of the dog’s paws should be placed in the solution, and it should soak there for around 30 seconds. Don’t rinse his paw after removing it from the pail. Dry his paw with a towel in a gentle manner.
Do Chihuahuas have a bad odor?
Every single Chihuahua breed requires little upkeep in terms of grooming, and they almost have no odor. The Chihuahua does, however, like frequent brushing since it gives them attention, and also keeps their skin and hair in excellent shape.
Final Thoughts
Take advantage of the remedies to avoid your Chihuahua’s stinky feet if you are aware of them. A chihuahua’s body may also smell like corn chips in other places. The chihuahua’s ears and creases on its skin can potentially harbor the bacterium that causes the odor. It is recommended to have it examined by a veterinarian because this might occasionally be a sign of an infection. Whether you enjoy Frito feet or detest them, it’s important to keep your dog’s paws clean and in good condition. Do you want to know why does my chihuahua lick my nose? Click Here!
Here at ILoveChihuahua, we share our personal experiences as owners of this feisty breed. We talk about recommended methods, dog supplies picks, and advice on common Chihuahua problems. Our goal is to promote responsible dog ownership, so there would be fewer Chihuahuas in shelters.
