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.
Well ours departed teh pattern about 15 years ago. But I do remember her smell and used to comment to my wife (her cat) that it smelled like pipe tobacco. Could’ve been cherry, I will go into a smoke shop and check it out.
Thank you, Darlin,’ me too.
One of our two Maine Coons has very dry, fluffy fur. It seems to pick up scents very easily, so if my wife’s been handling him, he may smell, very very faintly, of hand lotion. It makes him even more cuddly. :)
The other one has oily fur, and more of it. Plus he’s an incredible chowhound, and he’s litterbox-picky, meaning he’ll hold it until he gives himself problems. He occasionally smells...less pleasant.
}:-)4
Wonder why that is? ;D
I'm gonna try those marrow bones on them. Thanks for the info.
BTW....cute pictures!
Perhaps our resident expert can lend some insight into this phenomenon. We’ll have Happy Hour with Fritos for him, if he is around. ;)
>>A philosophical question worthy of Socrates, to be sure.<<
Do feet smell like Fritos?
Or do Fritos smell like feet?
Right up there with “I drank what?”
That is a Labs way fer sure
Once in a blue moon if my two get out make it across the street to the bay with the tide out...
ung.
It is ugly. It looks like the stuff nightmare are made of.
That is good to know about the chocolate.
My Labs are not allowed in the kitchen but the dachshand (the youngest) is as he is not able to clean the counters off.
People food for my boys is the same as you.
Both Labs are normal in size.
The dachshand however just got a put on a trim down in calories.
I forget he is the kitchen floor vacuum cleaner and having been a Lab owner for 25yr I am learning appropriate amounts for the baby doxie.
The pineapple here on the PNWest coast (just had some with lunch) has been really good so a bit with my meals and then non dairy fruit smoothies as it ages.
The boys kibble is Salmon and sweet potato (no filler) so an earned taste here or there along with there fresh beef bone treats, the doggie cookie jar, pepperoni/jerky/treats stuffed in the gorrilla balls...it adds up.
Esp. for the doxie (almost 2yrs) who is quite the napper although he is getting more active as he matures and has out witted the 2 Labs.
I knew someone who’s dog ate from the cat’s litterbox. They eventually had to hide it from him,because he would start licking his chops when he saw the cat going in for a #2.
That is hilarious!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.