What causes that toasty-smelling paw odor, and how do I manage it?

Quick answer

That corn-chip-like smell from a dog's paws comes from naturally occurring bacteria (yeast) like Proteus and Pseudomonas that live between the toes. Sweat glands exist only on the paw pads, which makes them prone to dampness. That said, if the smell turns sour or your dog keeps licking their paws with redness between the toes, it could be interdigital dermatitis — dry the paws thoroughly and see a vet.