Dogs are often seen rubbing their faces against furniture, walls, the ground, and many other things. This isn’t necessarily a cause for concern and can be as straightforward as having a scratchy face however there are several reasons why pet owners should take note of it.
Why Do Dogs Do Their Faces Get Rubbered?
If a dog has a habit of rubbing his face frequently on something, it could be a sign of problems. If the rubbing is irregular, it may not be a cause for significance. A nagging issue like dirty or wet fur, pain due to an eye or tooth trauma, irritation due to allergies or fleas, or just because it feels good is all possible motives for dogs to scratch at something.
Allergies
Certain dogs are allergic which results in them being itchy and licking their faces. Skin inflammation can lead to eyes and skin that are itchy and can cause dogs to rub their face in an effort to scratch the itchy skin. Allergies could be due to food or sweet treat that a dog consumes or to environmental or household allergens, such as dust mites, different pollen, grasses, and others. It could be a constant issue or only occasionally. The dog suffering from allergies may also exhibit other signs like itchy and/or smelly ears, itchy feet and hind end, as well as other skin issues like itching, hives, and/or the skin becoming thicker.
The Fleas are also known as Mites Ticks, Mites, and Fleas Ticks
External parasites comprise fleas and mites, such as Demodex and scabies, and ticks. These parasites may be a nuisance to the skin of dogs but they do not all cause itching. 2 Fleas and scabies are the most commonly itchy, and these infestations cause itching everywhere, not only in the facial area. Regular preventative medicines should be used to avoid common skin parasites. Any dog that is extremely itchy is advised to be examined by a veterinarian.
Irritation of the Collar
Collars with new designs or that aren’t tight enough could cause dogs to rub their neck and face on furniture, the floor, or walls to alleviate the discomfort. If your dog is wearing an updated collar, it must be examined to make sure that it’s not overly snug or causing irritation to the neck of the dog. If your dog hasn’t had its collar taken off and washed for some time and/or has gotten larger or increased weight, it may become too tight or requires modification or elimination. It should be possible to slip your fingers comfortably under the collar of your dog.
There’s Something on Its Face
Dogs who have dirt, food, and even water on their face could rub them on something to clean it off. This could happen following a meal or playing in the yard, or after having a bath or a swim. If your dog is scratching its face, due to this reason, there’s nothing to worry about, but the dog might need some assistance to wipe its face clean.
Pain
A tooth that is damaged, oral pain, nose discomfort, or earache can cause dogs to touch something to alleviate the discomfort. Dogs who suffer from dental discomfort may be less hungry or only eat soft foods, or chew on one part of the mouth. The smell of bloody saliva and the dropping of food particles out of their mouths are all indications that there is a dental issue. 3 Loose teeth, broken teeth, broken, or diseased may cause pain or infection and should be removed by a vet. The pain in the ear can cause animals to rub their face to ease their discomfort. A rash in the ear due to an infection is typically caused by a foul smell and redness inside the ear. If you suspect that pain could be the reason for your dog’s face rub and rubbing, it is recommended that you consult your vet right away.
Brain Tumor
Brain tumors are the rare reason that dogs touch something. The tumors of the brain can exert stress on your brain and cause uncomfortable or pain. Dogs with brain tumors might be prone to head rubbing due to the discomfort, but there are other signs that may be associated with an untreated brain tumor, without displaying indications of discomfort or pain. Changes in behavior, seizures, as well as changes in hearing or vision, can also be indicators of an endocrine tumor. 4 If any of these signs are present within your dog it’s best to be evaluated by a vet.
Eye Retardation
A stinging or painful eye can occur when foreign matter gets caught in the dog’s eye, when there’s an ulcer or scratch in the cornea or the dog’s eyes are dry or has allergies to the environment. All of these things can result in discomfort, which can cause dogs to rub their eyes and face. Dogs who have eyestrain will often scratch their eyes or shut it. If an eye issue could be present, your dog must seek veterinary care immediately to alleviate the irritation and stop the issue from getting more grave.
It’s nice to smell good
Dogs have a keen sense of smell. If they love the scent of something they might put their whole body over it since they love it so much. It might not be an appealing scent for us, but for dogs, it might be wonderful. A typical example of an item like this is dead animals found in the backyard. If you observe your dog swaying around in a certain location in your yard, it is important to look into and remove any items that could pose danger to health, like animal carcasses or droppings.
Marking Territorium
Dogs are able to leave their scents on a piece of furniture to identify their territory through urination, defecation or simply touching their bodies or faces on the item. This can leave invisible pheromones in the carpet, furniture, or any other item that the dog rubs on. It is normal for dogs to do this and, while humans can’t smell pheromones, can.
It Feels Good
The same goes for dogs in regards to the different materials and textures, and sometimes touching things with their face simply makes them feel good. If a dog’s owner eliminated the reasons the dog rubs its face against objects that is the reason why it continues to happen.
Low Calcium Levels
Low calcium, also known as hypocalcemia is also a cause of irritation of the face and rubbing of the facial area. The condition can be caused by many medical reasons and may include other signs like shaking or anxiety, seizures, restlessness and/or excessive drinking, or the need to urinate. This condition should be recognized and followed by a vet therefore any dog who exhibits signs of clinical illness should be examined promptly.