Have you ever wondered why your dogs feet tend to smell like corn chips? If you have, then you aren’t alone! So today, here on the Leesville Animal Hospital blog, we are going to take a look at why this is.
Most dog owners are aware that their dog sweats through the pads of their paws. When this happens, sweat causes moisture to accumulate on the fur of the feet – particularly between the toes. This moisture can lead to the growth of bacteria which can put off a unique odor.
Most of the time, the odor that is most noticeable is that of the bacteria Proteus or Pseudomonas. This yeasty smelling bacteria has an odor that some dog owners actually like, but we prefer the idea of keeping those feet clean!
You can keep your dog’s feet clean and bacteria free by gently clipping the hair between your pet’s paw pads or having our groomer do it for you! Once you have clipped away this hair, fill a small tub or your bathtub with just enough warm water to cover your dog’s feet. Wash them thoroughly with warm water and a gentle soap like Dawn dish detergent. Doing this will not only remove hair clippings that could cause irritation, but it will also get rid of bacteria that has been trapped.
Once you have thoroughly washed your dog’s feet, make sure that you dry them thoroughly. If you fail to dry them completely, then you will be left with an increased chance of your dog developing a yeast infection in the area.
Even with the hair between your dog’s paw pads trimmed, it is still important to keep your dog’s feet clean and dry. If you don’t want to get them in the tub every time that you go outside in the mud or rain, use a warm wet rag and a dry towel instead.
We know that many of you say that you love that Fritos smell on your dog’s feet, but we have to be honest, we’ve never been fans of it! For us, that musky smell is often an indicator of an infection and that is never a good thing!
Worried that your dog has more than a little normal bacteria odor on their feet? Make an appointment with one of our vets and let us take a look, just give us a call at (919) 887-8808!
