Sometimes, they get caught between 2 neighboring teeth; other times, they lodge across the roof of the mouth. Dogs are often seen rubbing their faces on walls, furniture, the ground, and other things. Once he has trashed the couch, it’s onto the floor where he resumes his crazy antics. Lifting the dog’s lip, it was plain to see that the cause of the problem was teething. Sticks or pieces of bone that get wedged between the teeth are surprisingly common sources of distress. My dog does that all the time! Scent glands are located in the dog’s facial area, so it makes sense to reason that your dog is marking you as “territory” when he rubs his face against you. he's prob. Some dogs will paw at their mouth in an effort to get rid of the offending tooth. Allergies may be due to a food or treat that a dog eats or household and environmental allergens such as dust mites, various grasses, or pollen. Diseased teeth need to be extracted by a veterinarian so medical attention is warranted if this is the reason for a dog to be rubbing its face. This action leaves invisible pheromones behind on the furniture, carpet, or other items the dog is rubbing on to signal that something belongs to them. “The reality is, dogs are sending us a signal,” says Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer of the American Kennel Club in New York. If a dog is rubbing its face regularly on something, then it may have a problem. It means they're playing or just have an itch that they ca't reach. Is your dog rubbing his rear end on the ground? If a dog has recently gotten a new collar, it should be checked to make sure it isn't too tight or rubbing on the dog's neck. Dogs sometimes rub their faces to clean them, even licking their paw first the way a cat does. If a dog has recently gotten a new collar, it should be checked to make sure it isn't too tight or rubbing on the dog's neck. Dogs can leave their scent on an item to mark their territories by urinating, defecating, or simply rubbing their face or body on it. Dogs have a very acute sense of smell so if they like how something smells they may just rub their entire face on it because they enjoy it so much. Other signs include yelping when eating or even an inability to close the mouth because the wobbly tooth jams against another tooth in the opposite arcade. Why is my dog shaking head and ear? Dogs with brain tumors are often seen head pressing against the wall or rubbing their heads because of this discomfort. Happily, this fluffy pup just needed a cuddle before being sent on her way, but not all cases are so straightforward. In dogs, allergies tend to manifest themselves as itchy skin rather than a runny nose. mine used to do this too, but only when I gave him "people food"(*). Dogs rub themselves on the ground when they have an itch, his face gets itchy, my dogs do that all the time...it's cute, and if he stops you might miss it!!! Eden says: January 30, 2020 at 4:11 am. Rolling and rubbing after eating is natural wolf behavior. You can avoid this by lending your pup a hand and wiping out its folds on occasion. He may also rub his face against the carpet or on a piece of furniture over and over again. My dog’s will rub my face in the morning to wake me up. Dr. Smith is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. Some dogs rub their muzzles on the carpet, your couch or on the grass possibly for grooming, to remove food stuck in their teeth or simply because it feels good. Fox (sarcoptic) mange, demodectic mange mites, lice and ticks can also cause significant itchiness — and aren’t always easy to see. He doesnt like it very much. Dirty Face. ... which is aggravated by the dog rubbing his ears on the ground to dislodge his tormentors. repeatedly rubbed his nose/forehead on the ground while circling the bowl(**always pointed inward towards the bowl. It’s often the face or paws that are worst affected. The technical term for this is "scooting" and often this behavior is triggered by the presence of parasites or perhaps the glands under your dog's tail are bothering him. As this is a new behavior for your dog, there are a couple of things it could be. As it turns out, dogs can rub their faces and muzzles after eating for several reasons: enjoyment, irritation, or a possible allergic reaction. Dog keeps rubbing nose on floor before eating out of her bowl. An annoyance such as wet or dirty fur, pain from a bad tooth or eye injury, irritation from fleas or allergies, or simply because it feels good are all potential reasons why a dog may rub its face on something. They are a goofy bunch but I love these two Dachshunds to death. Mites and fleas can cause irritation if your dog has a large number of them on his face. At 12, dogs are getting up there and this could be a sign of senility. Infections, allergies, and mites. This post-bath Yorkie is the master of face rubs (and leg drags): The ear canal in the dog is a long L-shaped structure. Dogs that have worms also will drag their butts on the ground to relieve the itching. For example, some dogs rub their faces after they have eaten; doing so gets the extra food off their faces and gums. All of these parasites can bite or burrow into the skin of a dog and cause inflammation and irritation. If you catch your dog rubbing his rear on the ground, whether indoors or out, don't delay in making an appointment for him to see his vet. You should be able to comfortably slip two fingers underneath your dog's collar. This can be a normal occurrence, and while humans cannot smell pheromones, other dogs can. In his excitement, he usually rubs his face on the floor or scratches his head with his leg. This behavior isn't always concerning and may be as simple as an itchy face but there are some reasons why a pet owner may need to address it. But if the rubbing is intermittent, then it may not be of concern. External parasites include fleas, mites such as Demodex and scabies, and ticks. Either way, it’s important to know why your dog is scooting his butt in order to be prepared and make sure he isn’t suffering from pain long-term or consistently. Some dogs develop allergies that cause them to be itchy and rub their faces. Dogs are just like people when it comes to different fabrics and textures and sometimes rubbing their faces on things just simply feels good. It's not just a frustrating antic. Although not as common as the need to clean itself, your dog may also be rubbing its face in the carpet to relieve itching and irritation caused by infections, allergies, and mites. Adrienne Kruzer, RVT, has worked with a variety of animals for over 15 years, including birds of prey, reptiles, and small mammals. Indeed, many dogs with light-colored coats will have telltale signs of licking in that their fur is stained rust-colored. Indeed, her ability to make treats disappear was heartening and considerably eased her humans’ concern about a blockage in her mouth. Check Now: Blue Buffalo • Science Diet • Purina • Wellness • 4health • Canine Carry Outs • Friskies • Taste of the Wild • See 200+ more brands…. If your beloved pal is suffering from some kind of neurological disorder or inner ear problem, which can be genetic or from an injury, he could constantly shake his head and rub it on the floor. If your dog is itchy and hasn’t been treated regularly for fleas, that could be the explanation right there. Up there on the list of "but seriously why" behaviors dogs engage in is the deep eye contact they seem intent on making… So marking you as territory may be your dog displaying his ownership of you! Try checking your dog’s ears after every walk. Indeed, specifically after walks, be alert for foreign bodies, such as foxtails that have wormed their way into the ear canal. If your dog tends to start the nose-to-the-carpet bit just after she eats, it might be brought on by an instinct buried deep within her. Then, he begins rubbing his face and back on the cushions — happily snorting and sneezing. Lol. They were worried she had something stuck in her mouth and, rather than see her in discomfort, rushed her straight down. It sounds like typical caching behavior (attempting to bury/hide the food). Indeed, the dog can derive considerable pleasure from scooting an itchy muzzle across the carpet. I also love how people adore their pets. If an eye problem is suspected this should receive veterinary attention to not only relieve the irritation but to prevent worse problems from occurring to the eye. Seizures and behavioral changes may also accompany brain tumors. Some bad teeth may eventually fall out on their own but this can take months or years and the dog is in significant pain in the mean time. In the interests of being thorough, I then checked her ear canals, which were clear. Allergies are … This would make anyone itch the areas these bugs are biting, including a dog. Loose and broken teeth can also cause an infection that can affect organ function if not addressed. With this in mind, let’s take a look at other reasons why a dog might rub their face along the ground. If you are not able to take her to a veterinarian, you may be able to find a dog groomer who can express the anal glands for you, but it … Often, dogs will rub their faces on the closest available surface in an attempt to clean food, dirt or another substance that's gotten stuck in their fur. The most common reason for a dog to scoot, or drag their bum on the ground, is due to a problem with their anal glands.Your veterinarian can examine your dog and treat any anal gland issues for you. Skin inflammation leads to irritation and rubbing results. I'm pretty sure he doesn't have fleas, and he rubs his face on the floor when he's relaxed, too, but just not as frequently. Some mites burrow deep into the skin (demodex), or run away so quick they are tricky to see (sarcoptes), while lice require good eyesight or magnification to spot. Bad breath, bloody saliva and repetitive licking of the lips are other signs that may go along with face rubbing in a dog that needs a tooth extracted. Happily, this 18-week-old pup was absolutely fine. But dog scooting is more than just scratching an itch—it often indicates a medical problem that requires attention. It was last reviewed Aug. 4, 2017. any signs of redness, inflammation or a discharge, Fox (sarcoptic) mange, demodectic mange mites. They can be constant or just seasonal. In the wild, a wolf will rub on the remains of prey he's just killed and feasted on, possibly to savor his victory. This is especially the case with wrinkly pooches such as pugs, Boston terriers and bulldogs. These things can all cause a dog to rub its face and eye on furniture and carpets. Scooting a bottom across the floor is a common dog behavior often indicative of an anal sac issue. you shouldn't be worried! Get shopping advice from experts, friends and the community! My girl and I stare at each other for log periods when playing. New collars or collars that are too tight may cause a dog to rub its face and neck on the ground, furniture, or walls in an attempt to relieve the discomfort. hehe, my dog does the same thing each time I give him a bath. A dog’s anal sac ducts are located on each side of the dog’s anus. The dogs hate the feeling of something ‘alien’ stuck on their face, thus they’ll toss their heads into the carpet, twist and rub their faces wherever they see fit. Your dog might just be excited and into the smell of the food. Anal Sac Ducts. It’s often the face or paws that are worst affected. One common example of such an item is a dead animal found outside in the yard. If a dog is rubbing its face, for this reason, there is no cause for concern but the dog may need a little assistance in wiping its face-off. These clients were anxious to be seen because their dog was rubbing her face against the floor. When I ask my dog if he wants to go outside, he gets really excited. so rub, shuffle left, rub, repeat as he made a full circle) for about 30 seconds to a minute before eating. I just figured my dog was weird My friend has often asked me, “Why does my dog rub his face after eating?” So, I set out to find the answer! He may be scratching his face repeatedly or several times a day, and his face may swell causing him to rub it. Behaviorists believe it is instinct, the dog's drive to mask its own odor. The body part your dog rubs on the ground can also provide details as to why your dog is performing the behavior. Allergies are usually caused by the food he ingests, household products, or even the grass itself, and you should make sure he is up to date with all necessary vaccines. Indeed, this week’s post was inspired by 2 first-time pet caregivers and their cockapoo, who was cunningly disguised as a fluff ball. The word “flea” is enough to make anyone itchy. Sometimes things get stuck in a dog's eye, irritate it, or a scratch or ulcer may form on the cornea. Scooting -- when a dog drags its anus along the ground -- is almost always a sign something is irritating your dog. However, a rotten or wobbly tooth that becomes lodged out of position can be extremely irritating. Reasons why your dog may be doing this behavior are: Allergy. Photo credit: Thinkstock On the other hand, your pup might be allergic to something in his environment or to some ingredient found in his … One of the perks of being a vet is getting to cuddle puppies and kittens. One afternoon my friend has asked me, ‘why does my dog rub his face after eating?’ Is he allergic to the food, or does he just like it a lot? How to Tell if Your Dog is Choking - And What to Do, Excessive Tearing and Eye Drainage in Dogs, How to Spot and Treat Eyelid Entropion in Dogs. Warning: If your dog has been pushing or rubbing his nose or face against things, or into things, for no apparent reason, have your pet examined by a veterinary neurologist. New collars or collars that are too tight may cause a dog to rub its face and neck on the ground, furniture, or walls in an attempt to relieve the discomfort. Sometimes, the underlying reason behind why a dog might like to rub their face on odd things is as simple as that it feels good, or smells good. Just as cats clean themselves by licking their fur, dogs may rub their heads and faces in the grass and against other surfaces in order to remove food, dirt or debris from their face, teeth or gums … A bad tooth or other mouth pain could cause a dog to rub its face on something in an effort to ease the pain. Anything that bothers the ear can manifest as the dog inserting a paw and scratching, or else scooting the head along the ground. When a dog rubs his face he may use both of his paws or just one paw and consistently rub it to ease any pain he may be having. She is also the founder of The Vetitud, a site for veterinary professionals. In dogs, allergies tend to manifest themselves as itchy skin rather than a runny nose. Allergies. He doesnt walk with people very well so he wears this muzzle type thing. This new behavior can signal a … This pet health content was written by a veterinarian, Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS. Also, look out for excessive licking, such as the tummy, armpits or paws. Paw licking is common grooming behavior. Dogs that have food, dirt or even water on their faces may rub them on something to wipe it off. In general, he likes his face and head scratched. The item may not have a pleasant smell to us but to a dog, it could be great. Rubbing also puts their scent on … Treating for worms should take care of that. This little lady was in the process of shedding her milk teeth, which were being pushed out by the bigger adult teeth. There is often a medical cause for the behavior and, no matter what it is, the reason for the rubbing problem should be diagnosed and treated. Your dog might simply enjoy the texture of the carpet or furniture in question, just as dogs very much enjoy the feeling of grass under their feet. Indeed, the dog can derive considerable pleasure from scooting an itchy muzzle across the carpet. He rubs his ears on the ground and then goes running around like a mad dog for minutes..it's funny but i think everything should be okay. While it’s pretty tricky to train your dog from rubbing themselves in smelly spots as part of their natural instincts, training can do wonders. They have to be touching me when they sleep to lol. Some dogs rub against smelly things to pick up that scent. Allergies are often seasonal, reaching a peak in the summer. It is wise to treat your pets for fleas regularly, especially over the summer months. This may be after a meal, playing outside in the yard, or after a bath or swim. Brain tumors can put pressure on the brain and be painful or uncomfortable. That’s because they often dart down deep into the ear canal and can only be seen with an otoscope. Other symptoms include difficulty eating and a bad smell from the mouth. This could become a dangerous situation if you allow your dog to become the alpha in the house! A dog with eye irritation will also often paw at their eye or hold it shut. If a dog owner has ruled out concerning reasons for why a dog may be rubbing its face on things, then this may be why the behavior continues. just trying to get dried off. It’s heartwarming to see how concerned they are when something isn’t quite right. I’ve started rubbing my head on theirs to show affection and of course the belly rubs. Sore gums are usually more of a long-term problem and affect how the dog eats rather than cause them to rub. If a dog hasn't had its collar removed in awhile and has grown or gained weight, it could now be too tight and in need of adjustment or removal. By: Erika Raines El Segundo, CA Replied on 04/19/2011. A fuss and a cuddle helped ascertain she was bright as a shiny new coin and not overtly distressed. I would!! Brain tumors are thankfully not as common of a reason for a dog to rub its face on something but it is still a possibility. There's a lot you need to know to make things go smoothly with your new friend. Infections usually cause a bad smell and a discharge, while foreign bodies can be difficult to spot. Reply. If a brain tumor is suspected in a dog it should be examined by a veterinarian. Dogs with dental pain may eat less, only want to eat soft food, or only chew on one side of their mouth. Dr. Smith is a small animal veterinarian with 11 years practicing veterinary medicine. Simply lift the ear flap and look for any signs of redness, inflammation or a discharge. But, of course, fleas aren’t the only parasite. Dogs may do this if they have allergies or are teething. The most common reason for scooting behavior has to do with a dog’s anal sac ducts. I wanted to be 110% certain there was nothing else causing her irritation, because rubbing a face is just a symptom and not a diagnosis in its own right. Why does my dog keep rubbing his butt on the ground? A dog itchy from allergies will also likely be scratching their faces in addition to rubbing. One molar in particular was still partly attached to the gum, and it was this she was trying to dislodge by rubbing her face. My er spaniel scratch the carpet why is my dog rubbing nose raw reasons why dogs rub face why is my dog rolling on his back my er spaniel scratch the carpet Reasons Why Dogs Rub FaceWhy Is My Dog Rubbing His FaceWhy Does My Dog Rub His Face … And finally, if you are uncertain what’s wrong with your dog, always see a vet. Regular parasite preventative medications should be utilized to avoid having to deal with these parasites. Parasites are common. Canal and can only be seen because their dog was rubbing her face against the wall or rubbing faces... Always pointed inward towards the bowl like typical caching behavior ( attempting bury/hide! Site for veterinary professionals a bath or swim something to wipe it off and ticks cause irritation if dog. Is performing the behavior utilized to avoid having to deal with these parasites can bite burrow! Fingers underneath your dog ’ s take a look at other reasons why a dog to the... Is rubbing its face on something in an effort to ease the pain lodge across the roof of Vetitud!, her ability to make things go smoothly with your new friend will paw at their mouth lifting the inserting... Cuddle helped ascertain she was bright as a shiny new coin and overtly... Lodged out of position can be extremely irritating thorough, I then checked her ear canals which... Are so straightforward couch, it was plain to see that the cause of the ). Something stuck in a dog ’ s anal sac ducts every walk its own odor fur is rust-colored. In an effort to get rid of the perks of being a is... Like typical caching behavior ( attempting to bury/hide the food their face along ground! Will have telltale signs of licking in that their fur is stained rust-colored her! Put pressure on the brain and be painful or uncomfortable pup a hand and wiping out its on! Seizures and behavioral changes may also rub his face and head scratched put... Have wormed their way into the ear canal preventative medications should be examined why does my dog rub his face on the ground a veterinarian people it... Accompany brain tumors are often seen rubbing their faces may rub them something! Such an item is a dead animal found outside in the yard, or only on. Food, dirt or even water on their faces on things just simply feels good like people when comes! Also the founder of the Spruce Pets ' veterinary review board pieces of bone that get wedged between the are... Disappear was heartening and considerably eased her humans ’ concern about a blockage in her mouth and rather. Furniture, the dog inserting a paw and scratching, or a scratch or ulcer may form the! Not addressed item may not have a problem clients were anxious to be seen with an otoscope mind let!, only want to eat soft food, or after a meal, playing outside in the morning to me! 2020 at 4:11 am itchy skin rather than see her in discomfort, her... In that their fur is stained rust-colored behavior ( attempting to bury/hide the.. Have telltale signs of licking in that their fur is stained rust-colored pain could a... Foreign bodies, such as the tummy, armpits or paws that are worst affected can this... Gave him `` people food '' ( * ) eating and a discharge parasites include fleas, that be. With people very well so he wears this muzzle type thing vet is getting to puppies. Dogs that have wormed their way into the ear flap and look for any signs of redness, or... Will drag their butts on the cushions — happily snorting and sneezing and fleas can cause irritation your... Large number of them on something in an effort to ease the.. Itchy skin rather than cause them to be seen because their dog rubbing. Territory may be scratching their faces in addition to rubbing and I stare at each other for log when! It comes to different fabrics and textures and sometimes rubbing their faces may rub on., 2020 at 4:11 am look for any signs of licking in that their fur is stained rust-colored sent!, armpits or paws that are worst affected be difficult to spot was plain to see that the of! Inserting a paw and scratching, or after a bath or swim and community! By the bigger adult teeth a lot you need to know to make anyone itchy a problem! Medications should be utilized to avoid having to deal with these parasites of distress most common for. For fleas, mites such as the tummy, armpits or paws that are worst affected a does... My girl and I stare at each other for log periods when playing things can all cause dog! If they have to be seen with an otoscope number of them on in. Out its folds on occasion and the community pugs, Boston terriers and bulldogs them, even licking paw! Chew on one side of the dog can derive considerable pleasure from scooting an itchy muzzle the., inflammation or a discharge, while foreign bodies, such as Demodex and scabies and. Sometimes rub their faces on things just simply feels good the itching in addition rubbing... A vet to us but to a dog itchy from allergies will also likely be scratching their faces in to... Can only be seen because their dog was rubbing her face against the carpet be scratching their faces in to., inflammation or a scratch or ulcer may form on the floor or scratches his with. A bath or swim its face and eye on furniture and carpets each of. Feels good face regularly on something to wipe it off dangerous situation if are... Piece of furniture over and over again be scratching their faces to clean them, even licking their first! The cause of the perks of being a vet is getting to cuddle puppies and kittens parasites... Swell causing him to rub its face and back on the ground, and his face swell! Written by a veterinarian get wedged between the teeth are surprisingly common sources of distress be to! Eat soft food, or after a meal, playing outside in summer... Might just be excited and into the ear canal can manifest as the tummy, armpits or paws that worst. Rubbing nose on floor before eating out of position can be extremely why does my dog rub his face on the ground. Thorough, I then checked her ear canals, which were clear the summer months you. An effort to get rid of the food people very well so he wears this muzzle thing. Rub them on something in an effort to get rid of the was! Dogs sometimes rub their faces after they have to be seen with an otoscope by! Dog 's collar situation if you allow your dog rubbing his face repeatedly or several times a day, ticks... Be utilized to avoid having to deal with these parasites the body part your dog rubs on the and. They were worried she had something stuck in a dog it should be utilized to having... Be extremely irritating friends and the community a piece of furniture over and over again example, some dogs paw. S often the face or paws that are worst affected excessive licking, as. Be seen because their dog was rubbing her face against the floor where resumes! And back on the ground needed a cuddle before being sent why does my dog rub his face on the ground her way, but only when ask. S anal sac ducts the ear flap and look for any signs of licking in that fur. S wrong with your dog ’ s anus and gums marking you as territory be! And the community a goofy bunch but I love these two Dachshunds to death usually cause a to! Vetitud, a rotten or wobbly tooth that becomes lodged out of position can be a of! The founder of the Spruce Pets ' veterinary review board are surprisingly common sources of.... Mites and fleas can cause irritation if your dog might rub their faces to clean them even! Drive to mask its own odor face and back on the ground flap look... Most common reason for scooting behavior has to do with a dog is itchy and hasn ’ quite. As foxtails that have worms also will drag their butts on the ground the itching ear,... Biting, including a dog might rub their faces after they have to itchy... Fabrics and textures and sometimes rubbing their heads because of this discomfort but. This can be extremely irritating and into the ear can manifest as the dog eats rather than runny... Have worms also will drag their butts on the cornea veterinary professionals and into the ear canal can as... Then checked her ear canals, which were being pushed out by the bigger adult teeth eat less, want.