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Why Does Your Dog Smell Their Toes After a Good Scratch?

It's a scene common in a doggy household. A sudden scratch leads to a ferocious scratch session, followed, often, by the dog sniffing the paw they scratched with. Which often leaves their pet parents wondering what the heck is going on. What are they doing?

Well, the answer is (as many answers are) complicated. There are a few reasons for pups to do this scratch-and-sniff routine.

Checking the "Scent Receipt"

Dogs experience the world through their noses first and their eyes second. Scratching themselves can cause their claws to snag oils, skin cells, or other debris. These have their own sets of scents that the pup wants to investigate.

It's also possible that the pup can smell a hitchhiker, like a bug or leaf that is stuck somewhere on or in their fur. Either way, they're investigating the smells to get to the bottom of things.

The Famous "Frito Feet"

If you’ve ever noticed your dog’s paws smell a bit like corn chips, you’re not imagining it. This happens because of natural bacteria (Proteus or Pseudomonas) that live on their foot pads.

Since dogs sweat through their paws, scratching causes these foot bacteria to get all stirred up. When pups sniff their own feet, they get a whiff of their unique sweat smell signature.

A Habit of Instinct

In the wild, an itch isn’t always just an itch; it could be a sign of a parasite or an injury. Although the daily life of a domestic dog is much different than that of their wolf ancestors, the instinct is still there. They use their paws as tools to check themselves over for injuries or other issues.

• Is there blood? (Indicating a wound)
• Is there an infection? (Usually signaled by a sour or musty smell)

When to Keep a Closer Eye

While the scratch-and-sniff is usually just a funny habit, keep an eye out if the behavior becomes obsessive. If they are sniffing and then licking their paws excessively, it might be a sign of:

• Allergies (pollen or food-based)
• Yeast infections on the paw pads
• Embedded stickers or burrs from your last walk

Generally, the habitual scratch-and-sniff is pretty harmless. It is just another way our pups examine the world around them and themselves. Just be sure that if it seems to become more than a time-to-time habit, you consult with a trusted vet in case something is amiss.

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• Bonnihill Farms (Fromm Family Foods) - BeefiBowls Beef Recipe gently cooked frozen dog food, 16 oz. chubs for potential plastic contamination
• Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
• Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.

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