Do you often see your little puppy or dog rubbing face on the ground? Confused about this behavior? It is a common behavior among most dog breeds, but what does it mean?
Dogs are often seen rubbing their face on the ground, carpet, floor, or other things. They also rub their faces with their paws. It is a common behavior – to ease occasional itch or discomfort, and there is nothing concerning about it.
A Dog may also rub his face after eating or drinking. But if you see your dog doing this often and repeatedly, then your dog needs a checkup.
Questions covered in this article
- Why do dogs rub their face on the ground?
- Why does the dog rub face on the carpet?
- Why do dogs rub their face with their paws?
- Why do dogs rub themselves on grass?
There can many reasons behind your dog rubbing the face on the ground. And I know you love your dog. And as a responsible dog owner, you need to know about these causes so that you can deal with the situation in the best possible way.
See a video on dog rubbing his face to the ground:
Why do Dogs rub their face?
Among various reasons, one reason can also be that he simply wants to relieve his itch or clean himself. An urge can also rise due to wet or dirty fur.
However, it may not be the case every time. So, observe your pet carefully and if you see that he particularly rolls as if he is trying to relieve some pain. Then you must consult your pet doctor or vet.
Let’s us observe these reasons in their language…
- I am dirty after a fun play
Did you have a great time playing with your Dog? Now it is time to bathe him.
Dogs often get dirty while playing out in yards, because of their habit of rolling on the grass. So maybe there are rubbing their face on carpet to clean them consequently getting your carpet dirty.
Also, your dogs may have food, dirt, or water on their face that they are trying to rub off. So, if your dog is rubbing his face on the ground, carpet, or similar things then there is nothing to be concern about.
- Urgh..Hey owner my Collar is so tight!
If you have recently brought a new collar for your dog, then make sure it not too tight.
Try to put your two fingers underneath your dog, if you can’t do it, then your dog’s collar is too tight. New or Tight collars could be a reason why your dog is rubbing his face. He may be rubbing his face and neck on the ground, walls, or floor to loosen the collar a bit.
Dog’s collar could also be tight because of weight-gain or if he has grown. Therefore, do adjustments accordingly.
- Ouch!! It’s itchy all over
If you spot your dog rubbing and scratching their face simultaneously, then your dog may have developed some allergy.
Allergies may be a reason for your dog to be itchy. Allergies can be caused by his food, or by environmental allergens such as dust mites, pollens, or grasses. It can easily be spotted if your dog is licking his body parts especially tummy, paws, or armpits
Dog allergies can be constant or seasonal. Therefore, take your dog to his vet.
- Oh, my Dog!! Parasites inside me!
Who loves parasites on their body? Your dog may be ingested with parasites if he is vigorously rubbing his face or any body part.
Parasites are generally of two types:
- Internal Parasites: Parasites residing in your dog’s body. One such parasite is a tapeworm. Tapeworms can cause your dog to rub his back on the carpet to relieve itch.
- External parasites: Your Dog can also be ingested by external parasites such as fleas, mites, or ticks.
These parasites can cause irritation, inflammation, and unbearable itching. It can easily be spotted by swelling on the dog’s face.
In both situations, you could contact your pet doctor as soon as possible.
- Ahh.. my tooth hurts
If you own a little puppy about 2 weeks- 8 weeks, then teething could be a reason for your dog rubbing his face.
Teething is a procedure in which your little pup loses his milk teeth; as the adult teethes push their way out.
Therefore, your puppy is just rubbing his/her face to dislodge some pain.
- Something stuck in my eyes
Sometimes small objects tend to get stuck on your dog’s eyes which are making him irritated.
Your dog’s eye can also be irritated because of shampoos. So, remember to buy gentle shampoo for your dog.
But there can also be a medical issue such as scratch or ulcer in the cornea, blepharitis (inflammation in eyes) on outer eyes, and eyelids. In such circumstances, you need to visit your vet as soon as possible.
- No! I don’t want to see Dentist
Dental problems can also be a cause for your dog rubbing his face. He might to doing this to relieve some pain.
Just like humans, your dog can also have a bad tooth or other mouth pain. So, if your dog is eating less food, or chewing food on one side then your dog needs to meet his dentist.
Bad breath, bloody saliva is some symptoms of dental problems. So, if you think that your dog has dental problems, then visit his vet soon, as the dental problem can be very painful.
- I am Loving this smell
Believe it or not…your dog loves the smell of grass, insects, and even poop. Gross, I know…But humans and dogs have a different sense of smell. Dogs rub themselves on the grass to acquire the smell on them.
Smells which we find pleasant can be awful for your dog. This is the reason why your freshly bathed dogs with highly fragrant shampoos, run toward the garden to rub it off.
- It feels so good
Sometimes these can’t be a general reason for your dog’s behavior.
It can be possible that your dog is rubbing his face on different things to feel its texture.
- No aging cream…will remove my stubborn wrinkle
If you own a wrinkly-face dog breed such as Pug, Bulldog, etc. Then his wrinkles are the answer for why your dog is rubbing his face everywhere.
Dogs breeds with wrinkled faces often use carpets, grass to clean, itch or soothe irritations. Those folded wrinkles generally collect food, dirt, bacteria, which irritate.
As a result, your dog has to rub his face to relieve any discomfort. So make sure to clean their wrinkly folding regularly.
