If you have a petyou might have discovered that its paws smell disturbingly comparable to a popular junk food: Fritos.

Even the corn chip brand name acknowledged the smelly resemblance, tweeting in 2022“Stop stating we smell like canine paws, we’re attempting to offer corn chips here.”

What triggers pet dogs’ paws to smell like this salted treat? And is it trigger for issue?

Dr. Jerry Kleinprimary veterinary officer at the American Kennel Club (AKC), informed Live Science that the cause boils down to a shift towards greater levels of particular kinds of skin germs.

“It’s similar to in people, our feet tend to not smell terribly unless we are either grungy, filthy or sweaty,” Klein stated. “Our feet need to not smell that method under typical scenarios.”

Related: ‘Puppy eyes’ didn’t progress simply for people, research study of wild pet dogs discovers

When the skin’s plants modifications, that’s when feet can tread into smellier area.

“Every animal and individual has typical skin plants that secures us and has a specific balance of various microorganisms and germs,” Klein stated. “But when things get interfered with, then things begin to alter.”

Smellier paws do not always indicate the pet dog is unhealthy– specifically if it shows no other indications of distress, Klein stated.

Unlike human beings, who safeguard their feet with shoes before venturing outdoors, pets’ bare paws are frequently exposed to various surface areas that can consist of a menagerie of germs and fungis

Eventually, Frito feet arise from 2 kinds of germs, Pseudomonas and Proteusboth of which can emit a yeasty smell similar to corn chips, according to the AKC

The repair for Frito feet is relatively easy. You can simply accept that your canine smells like corn chips. “If your pet dog isn’t being troubled by its paws, then it’s most likely not a concern,” Klein stated.

If you are troubled by the odor, “you can constantly water down some moderate meal soap with water and clean their feet and dry them completely,” he included. “Then take a great take a look at the paws and ensure there’s no sores or ulcers or infections, which might be an indication of something larger.”

If the pet is continuously licking or biting its paws or acting in a different way, that might signify something more severe, Klein included.

“If you observe a frustrating odor from the paws and even on the body, then possibly it’s something that requires to be attended to,” Klein stated. “It’s not always an emergency situation, however it may be something that you wish to point out the next time you go to the veterinarian.”

Jennifer Nalewicki is a Salt Lake City-based reporter whose work has actually been included in The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Scientific American, Popular Mechanics and more. She covers a number of science subjects from world Earth to paleontology and archaeology to health and culture. Prior to freelancing, Jennifer held an Editor function sometimes Inc. Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin.