Buzz
mental_floss editor-in-chief Jason English has frequently recommended that I explore the science behind why his dog Bailey's paws have a popcorn-like scent. Initially, I thought it was just a quirky feature of Bailey. But after some investigation, I found it to be more common.
Turns out, many dogs' paws really do have that popcorn smell! It was a revelation.
To be more precise, they smell a bit more like corn chips, which is why the condition is often called 'Frito Feet.'
So what causes this phenomenon? The skin of most animals hosts a variety of microbes. As Bill Bryson explains in A Short History of Nearly Everything, "If you are in good health and averagely diligent about hygiene, you will have a herd of about one trillion bacteria grazing on your fleshy plains—about a hundred thousand of them on every square centimeter of skin." Dog paws are prime real estate for bacteria and yeast, thanks to the abundance of moisture and the lack of air circulation in the crevices between the toes and foot pads. These microbes thrive and multiply rapidly.
Each of these microorganisms has its own unique scent (they're the culprits behind body odor), and the popcorn or corn chip smell some dogs' feet have could be from yeast or Proteus bacteria. Both of these are known for emitting a sweet, corn tortilla-like aroma. Alternatively, it could be Pseudomonas bacteria, which gives off a fruitier fragrance, though still reminiscent of popcorn to many people.
As mentioned, having bacteria on your pet (and yourself) is completely normal. There are far worse things these microbes could be doing than making your dog smell like tasty snacks. Frito Feet is not a concern unless the odor becomes overwhelming. In that case, it might indicate an infection and should be checked by your veterinarian.
