Posted on 05/12/2010 3:31:19 AM PDT by Daffynition
I have always loved falling asleep to the smell of my dogs' paws. I started telling other dog-lovers this recently, only to find that many others feel the same way. Then, Dogster founder Ted Rheingold pointed me to a phenomenon referred to as Frito feet:
Bacteria and yeast naturally reside on the skin of all animals, including cats and dogs. The feet of both species contain many folds and pockets, such as the areas between toes and the spaces between the foot pads. These areas have increased levels of moisture and decreased air circulation at the level of the skin.
The increased moisture and decreased air circulation in these environments enables the resident bacteria and yeast to proliferate exuberantly. These micro-organisms give off odors, and I suspect that they are the cause of Frito feet. Because cats groom themselves more thoroughly than dogs, they are less likely to have foot odor.
One bacteria in particular is famous for smelling like corn tortillas. That bacteria is called Pseudomonas. It is often associated with skin or ear infections, and I can't promise that it has anything to do with causing Frito feet. But I am a bit suspicious.
LOL!
I had a beagle that smelled like corn chips all over not just the feet.
I understand. But just don't try the same thing with cats.
("litterbox" - need I say more?)
I hope it wasn’t a Boxer.
LOL no, a Chocolate Lab
Doggie Toe Jam.
Scent glands located in the upper folds of the web. Our older Border Collie is blind. She follows the exact same path to do her “rounds” three times a day. She covers about two acres in her daily routine. With her nose to the ground, she follows the exact same path. When she senses our other dogs have crossed her path, she’ll turn off to smell out where they went and then follow the same line of travel right back to her path.
I think Fritos themselves smell like farts.
No interest in sniffing my dogs feet.
Paw fetish anyone? Lol. I don’t really care why a dog’s paws smell, good bad or otherwise. Kinda gross...
Always thought they smelled like pop corn.
I have a black lab and a yellow lab. About a 1/2 hour after they each finish a rawhide chew, the farting contest begins. And they are BAD ones too!
I’ve noticed that one of my mutts smells like Fritos all over not just the paws, but I always attributed it to the high amount of corn by-products in their feed.
Is that a Barbara joke?
My dog enjoys eating his own feces. We have tried everything.
Not does he not smell like fritos, we stopped letting him near the bed.
I love him to death. But it just makes me sick to watch him munch down. After a long snowy winter, it is like a smorgasbord in the back yard because we missed some in the ice. When the spring comes, the snow gives up its bounty.
Just disgusting.
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