Content
- How are dog pillows
- Puppy pillow functions
- Why do dog pillows smell bad?
- Recommendations for taking care of dog pillows
- When is it not normal for your dog's paws to smell bad?
The odor of the dogs' paws, specifically the pillows, is quite characteristic. Some caregivers draw a comparison and point out that your dog's paws smell like snacks, popcorn or different types of fried foods. In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will talk about this special odor, as well as this important and delicate part of the canine anatomy that are the pillows. We will also learn to keep them healthy and to distinguish when the smell is no longer normal and we have to go to the vet.
if you ask yourself why do your dog's paws smell bad, read on and discover the most common causes.
How are dog pillows
While some caregivers wonder why their dog's paws smell bad, the truth is, your particular odor is normal and, in most cases, it does not correspond to any pathology. In fact, when there is a problem, the odor changes.
The pillows have particularities that make their smell different from that perceived in the rest of the dog's body. Also, play important functions that often go unnoticed.
The pillows are the dog's support points and are formed by a thick layer of keratin. Keratin is a protein that forms the corneal tissues. Underneath this layer, the pillow is made of fat and elastic fabric, so when you touch it, it feels soft. This conformation makes it possible to cushion the impacts suffered when walking, running or jumping and distribute the load in a balanced way between the four legs.
This structure of the cushions also makes it easier to walk over difficult terrain, cold or warm. On the other hand, they are well supplied with nerve endings, which makes them sensitive and explains why many dogs resist manipulation or feel a lot of pain when they hurt the pillows. Their vascularity means they can bleed easily.
Perhaps this other article where we explain why a dog raises its front paw might interest you.
Puppy pillow functions
Before explaining why a dog's paws smell bad, or, in other words, why dogs' paws smell like salty snacks like Cheetos, as some caregivers describe, let's focus on their functions, as they will influence this odor. The main functions of the pillows are:
- Dampen the footfall and isolate from the ground, as we explain.
- Sweat, since dogs concentrate their sweat glands in them. Find out in this other article all the information about "how dogs sweat".
- Mark, when dogs step on, they leave their scent, as when they scratch the ground with their paws, in which case they not only mark through their sense of smell, but also leave visible traces on the ground.
Why do dog pillows smell bad?
Many tutors wonder why dogs' paws stink. We emphasize that the smell so characteristic of the puppies' pillows is the result of sweat mixture, microorganisms from the normal microbiota of this area, like bacteria and fungi, plus everything the animal steps on. This set is what explains why a dog's paws smell bad, or at least some tutors perceive it as such. It is a normal odor and does not indicate the existence of any disease, but it is necessary to pay attention so that this smell does not change.
Recommendations for taking care of dog pillows
Cushions undergo changes over time as they wear out, lose elasticity, dry out and even crack. Just compare a puppy's pads to an adult dog's to see the difference, but this deterioration alone doesn't explain why our dog's paws smell bad.
Throughout the dog's life, but even more as it ages, pillow checks should be done regularly. This will allow us detect damage early, as well as preventing problems or even removing parasites that may be located in the interdigital spaces.
Remember that permanent contact with the ground makes them very vulnerable. Cushions can be protected with specific products, such as moisturizing creams which, applied in time, help prevent the formation of uncomfortable cracks that, in addition to being painful, can be complicated by infections. They can also trim the fur in the area, very carefully, as long as they are very long.
If the dog has an injury or needs to move over potentially aggressive terrain, we also have the option to wear dog shoes. But it is best to avoid, as much as possible, walking on these types of surfaces or over very hot or cold terrain. When you get home, it is a good idea to dry the area, as the humidity can cause problems with the furry paws.
When is it not normal for your dog's paws to smell bad?
Sometimes, it's not that we're surprised that our dog's paws smell like cheese, fried food or Cheetos, but that, directly, they smell bad. Will be a different smell than usual and if we look closely, it's normal to notice other signs that something is wrong, like some wound or erosion, a darker coloration in the hairs between the fingers due to continuous licking, inflammation, pain of greater or lesser intensity, or lameness.
There are several causes that explain why a dog's paws have a bad odor, therefore, and due to the discomfort and difficulties that damage to the pads entails for the dog to develop its normal life, it is necessary go to the vet to obtain a diagnosis and corresponding treatment. Thus, it is not surprising that, given their permanent contact with the terrain, they can produce burns, abrasions, wounds or incrustations from foreign bodies, these being the main causes of the bad odor in that area.
If you find any stone or glass, you can try to remove it at home with tweezers, but don't force it. If you don't see clearly, go to the vet. Also if you managed to remove it, but there was a deep wound or doesn't stop bleeding, visit the veterinary clinic.
Now that you know all about how dogs' paws smell, be sure to read this article where we show you how to teach a dog to paw. And, in the following video, we continue talking about the stench on dogs' paws:
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why do my dog's paws smell bad?, we recommend that you enter our Other health problems section.