You’re able to hit the sidewalk or the paths along with your canine, able to get a pair miles of a canine stroll in earlier than bedtime, but your pup continually 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 may possibly trigger concern as to why your canine rubs his face on the bottom on a regular basis.
There are a number 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 usually 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 a variety of inside and outside components as to why a canine may rub his face.
Outer issue: Scent
The surface world has a variety of good scents on the bottom (some possibly not so good to people). Canines wish to get nearer to the scent and, usually, 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.”
Interior issue: Itchiness
When your eyes itch, you’re ready to make use of your arms to rub your eyes. Identical with scratching your nostril. However canines can’t try this, so the bottom supplies 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 usually.
Outer issue: Annoying facial accoutrements
If you happen to’re beginning to make the most of an adjunct that covers your canine’s face, corresponding to a Light Chief head collar or a muzzle, your canine may not admire the look and wish to take away it with any means needed.
“If this has one thing to do along with your canine sporting a muzzle or a head collar and he’s making an attempt to rub it off his face, you’ll undoubtedly wish to redirect and distract your canine with high-value meals objects,” says Dr. Pike.
Interior issue: Sore enamel
It’s troublesome to diagnose tooth ache in a canine, until you go for a radical 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 habits is one thing new and is happening so much, Dr. Pike suggests, “You may wish to see your veterinarian to rule out any form 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.”