If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably noticed that your dog’s paws have a rather unusual smell in some situations. For example, I notice this especially at night, when my dog curls up under the covers and then sticks his paws almost in my face. I can smell the popcorn smell not only because the animal is so close, but also because the dog is sweating under the covers. But what causes the smell?

Dogs don’t have sweat glands. They cool themselves with their tongues, but they also get a little bit of it out with their paws. The paws are the only surface through which the animal excretes, for example, excess salts in the body. But of course, the paws are also dirty, especially if you don’t rinse them every time you take the dog outside. And this is why we often smell popcorn.

Bacteria lingers on the paws

Dog paws provide an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms. Even on dry summer days, a dog can get dirty outside and bring home dirt. Quite often in the winter I put my dog in the bath after a walk and rinse his pads thoroughly with warm water. There are days, however, when I just dry him with a towel so he doesn’t make paws all over the apartment. Plus, even a thorough shower doesn’t get rid of all the dirt on the dog’s paws.

The spaces between the toes are dark, warm and always a bit damp thanks to the sweat glands. So yeast and bacteria are easy to hold on to no matter what you do. Each dog’s paw has its own unique scent mark. We humans can’t tell with our sense of smell, but they can tell a lot from each other’s paws. We all smell the same. Some people describe it as sweet popcorn, and some describe it as a bit like spicy potato chips.

The sweet smell of dog paws is perceived a little differently by each owner, but it is most often described as the smell of popcorn. But the reality is not very attractive. ━━ The sweet smell of dog paws is perceived a little differently by each owner, but it is most often described as the smell of popcorn. But the reality is not very attractive. ( Source: H Wonder /  Unsplash+ )

Sweet, but rather disgusting

Some people would say that what is sweet is tasty. But in this case, even though dog paws smell sweet, they are rather disgusting. The smell (or is it smell?) is caused primarily by two bacteria in the genera Proteus and Pseudomonas. These are mainly found in soil and water.

Most often their smell is released when the dog is warm, i.e. when it is resting by the heater and you lean over to it, or when, like mine, it sleeps in bed with you under the covers and then sticks its paws in your face. While a slightly sweet, cheesy or popcorn smell is harmless, a strong yeasty smell can already be dangerous and a sign that something is wrong.

There is usually no need to scare and get a vet. If you bathe your dog regularly and clean his paws after contact with mud and puddle water, he should be fine. However, if he starts to get hard skin around his pads, licks his paws more often, or starts to paw badly, have him checked by a vet. It could be a skin condition or some other dangerous disease.