You’re able to hit the sidewalk or the paths together with your canine, able to get a pair miles of a canine stroll in earlier than bedtime, but your pup always stops to rub his face within the grass of the neighbor’s yard subsequent door … and the neighbor down the road … and on the park. Positive, it may be annoying, however it will possibly trigger concern as to why your canine rubs his face on the bottom on a regular basis.
There are a selection of causes to elucidate why your canine is rubbing his face, says Dr. Amy Pike, Diplomat for the American School of Veterinary Behaviorists and proprietor of the Animal Wellness Heart in Fairfax, Virginia. The primary query it is best to ask your self is, how typically is he rubbing his face on the bottom?
- Does your canine rub his face simply sometimes?
- Does he rub it within the grass each time you go for walks?
- Or does he rub his face after he eats dinner?
Dr. Pike explains to canine house owners that there are loads of inside and outside components as to why a canine may rub his face.
Outer issue: Scent
The surface world has loads of good scents on the bottom (some possibly not so good to people). Canines wish to get nearer to the scent and, normally, attempt to get that scent on them. They may additionally attempt to mark their territory by spreading their scent to inform the remainder of the canine world that “Fido was right here.”
Inside issue: Itchiness
When your eyes itch, you’re ready to make use of your palms to rub your eyes. Similar with scratching your nostril. However canines can’t do this, so the bottom offers ample surfaces to scratch that itch. It may additionally imply your canine has allergic reactions, if he’s actually rubbing his face into the bottom typically.
Outer issue: Annoying facial accoutrements
If you happen to’re beginning to make the most of an adjunct that covers your canine’s face, similar to a Light Chief head collar or a muzzle, your canine won’t respect the look and wish to take away it with any means crucial.
“If this has one thing to do together with your canine carrying a muzzle or a head collar and he’s attempting to rub it off his face, you’ll positively wish to redirect and distract your canine with high-value meals objects,” says Dr. Pike.
Inside issue: Sore enamel
It’s tough to diagnose tooth ache in a canine, except you go for an intensive veterinarian appointment. If a canine’s tooth hurts, or one thing is caught in his enamel, he’ll begin rubbing his face within the floor to alleviate that annoying ache.
If the conduct is one thing new and is happening loads, Dr. Pike suggests, “You may wish to see your veterinarian to rule out any kind of medical issues.”
If it’s not something too alarming, let your pup benefit from the pleasures the skin world has to supply!
“If it’s nothing medical or marked as regarding by your vet, let him roll!” Dr. Pike encourages. “Scents are very enriching to canines, so allow them to have some enjoyable exterior.”