Frito Feet: Why Dog Paws Smell Like Corn Chips

Remember, this is an educational resource, not a guide for diagnosis.

We always recommend consulting with your veterinarian.

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Humorous illustration of a bag of "Pawprika" flavored "Feetos" chips with dog paw sticking out of top of bag

What Causes the Corn Chip Smell?

The main culprits for the "Frito," corn chip, or popcorn smell are bacteria -- namely, Pseudomonas and Proteus species -- that give off the odor naturally. Yeast and other fungi can contribute to the overall odor and "smellscape," too.

Dogs carry these bacteria and fungi on their skin at all times. Since their paws are constantly exposed to dirt and dust, they tend to attract much of the population.

Combine this with the fact that dogs sweat through their paw pads and frequently groom their paws by licking, and you've created a perfect environment - warm, dark, and moist - for growing microbes. Other areas where these microorganisms tend to gather are ears, skin folds, armpits, and the groin.

Illustration of a dog holding a paw up with corn chips stuck in it; lines from the chips indicate a stench

Is the Frito Smell Normal for Dog Paws?

Believe it or not, a slight corn chip smell is normal and no cause for concern. It simply means that the normal bacteria that inhabit their skin and paws are present.

When Does It Become a Problem?

However, when the smell becomes very strong, or begins to smell rotten, it may be a sign of a bacterial (pyoderma) or yeast (Malassezia) infection. An overgrowth of bacteria or yeast can often arise due to allergies or an immune system issue. This will generally be accompanied by a lot of irritation, redness, and itching, and you'll notice your dog licking and chewing at his/her paws far more than normal.

Flat art illustration of a basset hound in a Sherlock Holmes costume holding a magnifying glass in its mouth

How Can I Tell If My Dog Has a Paw Infection?

  • Strong, foul odor instead of mild "corn chip" scent; may smell rotten, stale, or like "moldy cheese"
  • Excessive licking or chewing of the paws
  • Redness and inflammation between pads
  • Pustules or sores on paws or between toes and pads
  • Pus or discharge is present (pyoderma)
  • Patchy hair loss (often from licking and chewing)

On a related note, if there is a corn chip smell coming from the ears, it could be sign of ear infection (otitis). For breeds with lots of skin folds (bulldogs, basset hounds, boxers, etc.), an excessive stale odor coming from their wrinkles could be a sign of yeast dermatitis.

MORE ON PAW PROBLEMS

Paw Infection? Try RadiQuell™ Canine

How Are Paw Infections Treated?

The key to stopping an infection is finding out what specific bacteria or fungi are causing it. Your veterinarian will likely take a sample of the skin -- via scraping, slide impression, tape impression, or, in some cases, a biopsy -- to find out what pathogen(s) is behind it.

From there, antibiotics or anti-fungal topicals are typically prescribed for local infections. Generalized infections are often treated with oral medications, or a combination of the two.

A viable alternative to prescription topicals for a localized infection is RadiQuell™ Canine. It is not only effective at significantly relieving the itch, but inhibiting the bacteria and yeast as well. On top of that, it is safe if dogs ingest it, whereas most prescription topicals are not and require wearing an Elizabethan collar (e-collar, or cone).

Above photos: Before / after images of a paw yeast infection (Golden Corgi) and bacterial infection (English bulldog) treated with RadiQuell™ Canine

TRY RADIQUELL CANINE
Closeup of a hand holding paw of a brown dog with long fur and black paw pads

What You Can Do About Frito Paws

Remember, a mild Frito smell isn't a problem. If it has become a bit too much for you, you can keep it at bay with a good hygiene routine.

Be sure to clean and dry wet or muddy paws after a walk or outdoor excursion. You can use unscented, alcohol-free baby wipes to do so, or simply give them a bath.

Regular bathing goes a long way, and you can use a pet-friendly antiseptic shampoo to help keep the microbes under control. Wash carefully between toes and pads and make sure to dry them completely afterwards. As a note, be sure not to use a strongly scented shampoo, as this can be irritating to your dog's nose.

Trim excess fur between their toes to reduce the buildup of sweat and debris, and keep their toenails clipped.

Lastly, keep an eye on your dogs' paws. If they're spending more time licking or chewing them than normal, or focusing on one paw exclusively, take a closer look.

Dog paw icon with toes shaped like triangular corn chips

Frito Paw Footnotes & FAQs

Can all dogs get Frito paws?

Yes, any breed of dog can acquire the corn chip "aura." The bacteria that cause "Frito paws" -- Pseudomonas and Proteus -- are common to all canines.

Is corn chip smell the sign of something bad?

No, this is completely normal. If anything, your dogs' feet should have a slight scent. That said, if the odor becomes much stronger and begins to smell rotten, you may have an infection on your hands -- or paws -- and you'll want to see your vet and/or get some RadiQuell™ Canine.

Should I do something about the Frito paw smell?

Unless an infection, allergy dermatitis, pain, or other issue is present, treatment isn't really required.

Is there a home remedy for Frito feet?

Regular bathing, keeping your dogs' paws clean and dry, trimming excess fur between toes, and clipping their nails are simple ways to reduce the odor at home.

One home remedy that we've heard of that might help with the smell would be to mix baking soda and apple cider vinegar with water, but it won't do any good against an infection.

That's where topical antibiotics or RadiQuell™ Canine would come into play.

Learn About More Paw & Skin Problems

  • Rottweiler mix puppy lies on tile floor licking foreleg and looking at camera

    Dog Paw Licking

    Why do dogs lick their paws so much? We've compiled a comprehensive list of causes and symptoms to look for.

    Sounds gross. Tell me more 
  • Close-up of the bottoms of two paws of a French bulldog being held by a person, showing one paw that is healthy and another that is pink and inflamed from a yeast infection.

    Yeast Infections

    Nearly all yeast infections arise from a single yeast (fungus) called Malassezia. We'll tell you how and show you what it can look like.

    Yeast? Isn't that in bread? 
  • A close-up of a dog's ear with infection, showing severe skin irritation, redness, brown discharge, and dark crusty patches, with a human hand holding the ear open.

    Itchy Ears & Otic Infections

    Is your dog digging in the ears, or shaking his/her head a lot? There might be an underlying ear problem worth listening to.

    Hear we go 
BACK TO SKIN ISSUES HUB
Flat art illustration of a West Highland Terrier with round glasses sitting and reading an open book

Resources on frito feet

Photo credits

It takes considerable time and effort to compile diverse images of canine skin issues in order to make a helpful resource for pet parents.

There's no possible way to take all these ourselves, so we try to give photo credit whenever we can.

All images on this page are free images, customer photos, or illustrations done in-house except:

"Learn About More Paw and Skin Problems" section:

  • Yeast Infections: u/Fun_Analysis_14 (Reddit)
  • Itchy Ears & Otic Infections: u/[deleted account] (Reddit)