Why Is My Dog Rubbing Its Face on the Floor?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your dog is rubbing its face on the floor, it’s often a sign that something is irritating the skin, nose, eyes or ears. It can be caused by itching, discomfort or simply trying to get rid of something stuck on the face. Mange is one possible cause, but there are several others too, so it’s best to look for clues rather than jump to one conclusion.

Things To Check

1. Notice when it happens, such as after a walk, after eating, after grooming or when your dog is lying on certain surfaces.

2. Look closely for redness, scabs, flaky skin, hair loss, swelling or broken skin around the face, ears and muzzle.

3. Check whether your dog is also scratching, shaking its head, pawing at the face or rubbing other parts of the body.

4. See if there’s any discharge from the eyes or nose, a smell from the ears, or signs that the skin feels warm or sore.

5. Think about recent changes such as new bedding, shampoo, grooming products, treats or exposure to long grass or dusty areas.

6. Check for visible dirt, a foreign body, a grass seed or dried food around the nose, lips or eyes.

7. Look at the rest of the coat for patchy hair loss, dandruff, crusting or areas that seem itchy, which can sometimes point to a wider skin issue.

Common Causes

Face rubbing is commonly linked to itchy skin, mild irritation or something uncomfortable on the face, such as dust, pollen or food residue. Ear problems can also make dogs rub their face, especially if there’s head shaking or repeated scratching.

Skin conditions, including mange, can cause intense itching, hair loss, crusting and general discomfort. Allergies and other skin infections may look similar, so it’s not something you can confirm just by looking once at home.

Less commonly, a sore tooth, mouth irritation, an eye problem or a foreign body may be behind the behaviour. If the rubbing keeps happening, there’s a strong smell, or your dog seems unwell, there may be more going on than simple irritation.

What To Do

Start by gently checking the face, ears and skin for anything obvious, and wipe away loose dirt if needed. Keep a note of when the rubbing happens and whether it’s getting more frequent.

Try to avoid using new shampoos, wipes or scented products until you know what’s causing the problem. If your dog has been in long grass or dusty areas, a careful grooming check can help you spot debris or sore patches early.

If the skin looks mildly irritated, keep the area clean and dry and monitor for changes over the next day or two. If it’s recurring, spreading, or your dog seems uncomfortable, a vet check is the sensible next step.

Products That May Help

If your dog is rubbing their face because of skin irritation, regular washing and grooming can be useful as part of a calm home routine. This collection may help with day-to-day coat, skin, paw and ear care.

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