Every pet owner has seen their dog rubbing his face on the floor at one point or another. The typical response is to wonder, “Why is my dog rubbing his face on the floor?”
This article will help you understand why your dog might be doing this so that you can work with them to stop the behavior.
Some dogs rub their faces on the ground because they have an eye infection or irritation.
Why Do Dogs Rub Their Faces?
Dogs rub their faces on the floor for various reasons. One common reason is that they are trying to cover up what they just sniffed and ate and feel the need to put a barrier between their face and anything else they find on the ground.
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Other less common reasons involve allergies, infections, or parasites.
There are many ways to help your dog stop this behavior such as rubbing his back or scratching him under the chin as soon as he starts rubbing his face on the ground.
Here are some common reasons for Dog Rubbing His Face on The Floor
Wet Nose
Some people may not know this, but the reason why dogs rub their faces is to self-groom themselves.
Dogs have a wet nose that dries up and itches them, so they rub their face on things around them in order to get relief.
This then gets rid of any dirt or other material on the dog’s face as well as spreads a pleasant scent on their face.
Sniffing
Dogs have a reason for rubbing their faces. This is done to scent mark by secreting lipids from the sebaceous glands on their lips and mixing them with specialized nasal fluids. Dogs may also be trying to help clean themselves by wiping off dust, leaves, or food particles. The rubbing can also be an act of stress relief or anxiety.
Ticks and Fleas
What is it about, this face rubbing phenomenon? It could be that the dog is just marking their territory, but then again, nature isn’t always that simple.
The next most plausible theory is that they are trying to itch their faces; they may have fleas or dry skin after all. But one of the main reasons for face rubbing is to activate the glands in their cheeks.
Teething
Cute, cuddly puppies seem to be about the only thing that people love more than their own children. But when your child is afraid of “that cold wet nose” and you’ve had enough of hearing them whine, there’s a good chance that it might be teething time.
When the puppy starts to grow their adult teeth, they often get an uncomfortable sensation in their gums which causes them to want to rub their faces against something.
Allergies
Dogs have a habit of rubbing their faces on anything they can find due to an allergy. This habit is most common in dogs with skin allergies. For a dog, a fragrance can be a trigger for acne, inflammation, and other types of reactions that lead to redness and itching.
Why Does My Dog Rub His Face on the Floor After Eating?
There are a few possible explanations for why your dog rubs his face on the floor after eating. One possibility is that he’s trying to spread the scent of his food around the house. This is a common behavior in dogs who live in multi-dog households, as it helps them mark their territory and assert their dominance.
Another possibility is that your dog is trying to clean his face; rubbing it on the floor helps remove any food that might be stuck to his fur. Finally, it could be that your dog simply enjoys the sensation of rubbing his face on the floor. Whatever the reason, it’s nothing to worry about as long as your dog is otherwise healthy and happy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a few possible reasons for this behavior: it could be due to an illness like an infection, fleas, allergies, or he could be trying to remove something from his nose.
A veterinarian can help you determine what is causing your dog’s behavior and provide the necessary treatment.
If your dog is rubbing his face on the floor and is exhibiting other signs such as lethargic behavior and reluctance to eat, please speak to your veterinarian.
