It can be perceived as cute when your dog rubs their face on you but is it normal? In this article we will look at the many reasons why your dog may be rubbing their face and discuss if it is something to worry about.  

Is it “just” behavioural? 

Dogs are very affectionate creatures and rubbing their face on you can be a normal grooming and bonding activity. It can also be a form of attention seeking as they learn that when they do this to you, they get scratches and rubs which are rewarding behaviours for your dog.   

If your dog wears a head collar or a muzzle they may be rubbing this on you as it irritates them and they are trying to get it off. If this is the case, it would be worthwhile trying to desensitise them to it, so they are happier wearing it or trying another version.  

Does my dog have itchy ears? 

Your dog may have otitis externa, which is inflammation of the external ear canal and ear flap. There are many causes for this which can all cause itchiness. They can show mild signs, such as rubbing their face on you or on the floor or furniture. More severe signs include shaking their head (sometimes vigorously) or scratching their ears with their paws which can cause injuries from their claws.  

This can be caused by an infection, where there is an unusual growth of bacteria or yeast, which causes your dog to be itchy and often sore. This is often accompanied by discharge from their ear or a strong smell. Tiny ear mites can cause itchiness too, called Otodectes cynotis. These are particularly common in puppies as a cause of otitis. They can be seen by your veterinarian on examination of the ear canal with an otoscope (a piece of equipment with a light and magnifying lens used to look deep into the ear canal) or, if there is not many of them or your dog does not like having an ear exam, a swab can be taken to examine under the microscope. 

Your dog may also have a ‘foreign body’ in their ear – which means there is something stuck down there that shouldn’t be! This is often caused by grass seeds especially if your dog likes to sniff around in long grass or in the bushes. Grass seeds can also get stuck under your dog’s eyelids or third eyelids. 

If your dog’s ears are abnormally smelly, the skin on their ear flap is red or they have more wax than usual or have any discharge (this can be brown, waxy material to yellow, creamy looking fluid) then book an appointment with your vet to check them over. They may need treatment with anti-inflammatories, topical ear drops or removal of a foreign body.  

Is my dog allergic to something? 

Dogs can have allergies to components of their food or environment, such as different types of protein or plant pollens. This can be a short-term problem if they only come into contact with an allergen at a specific time of year or they may be diagnosed with canine atopic dermatitis which can be a cause of more long-term itching. This is akin to eczema in people and is known to have a genetic cause as some breeds are more commonly affected, such as French bulldogs and west highland white terriers.  

These allergies can cause itchiness with the most common places for this to manifest being their face (in particular their ears), paws and anal glands. This can cause them to show signs such as rubbing their face, licking their paws and ‘scooting’ their bottom.  

Some short-faced breeds that are prone to allergies, such as bulldogs and pugs, can get infections in their facial skin folds which can irritate them. You will see this as redness in their skin folds often accompanied by a brown coloured discharge and they can be smelly. If you suspect this may be the problem, get this checked by your veterinarian. 

If your dog has red eyes, is blinking more often or their eyes are more watery than normal they may have conjunctivitis or another ocular issue. This can be caused by allergies but, if your dog is scratching his face, it may turn into an eye injury or corneal ulcer so it is best to get them checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible.  

Does my dog have fleas or mites? 

Fleas can cause generalised itching which could potentially be a cause of facial itching, although they are most commonly itchy over their rump and the base of their tail. As already discussed, ear mites can be a common cause of facial itching.  

Other mites commonly affect your dog more generally so they will likely be itchy elsewhere too. The Sarcoptes mite, which causes ‘mange’, causes hair loss and itching on the ear margins, hocks and elbows. The Demodex mite can be localised around their head but often are not itchy unless the affected skin becomes infected with bacteria. Your vet may recommend a parasite treatment to rule this out as a cause of itching or perform further tests to decipher if mites are present. 

Is my dog in pain? 

Your dog may rub it’s face on you to try to alleviate pain which can be associated with dental disease, such as a broken tooth or gingivitis (inflammation of their gums). Pain may also come from inflammation associated with ear problems, skin infections or eye irritation.  

Rarely, your dog could experience pain from neurological issues such as a hereditary condition called Chiari-like malformation. This is common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and results in the skull being too short therefore putting pressure on the brain. Normally this is associated with other signs such as spontaneous yelping or ‘phantom’ scratching around their neck (where their paw doesn’t come into contact with their skin).  

Your vet will do a thorough examination to determine if there are any signs of inflammation or conditions that could be attributing to pain. They may also do a neurological exam if they think this could be a potential cause of your dog’s face rubbing.  

Does my dog need any treatment if he is rubbing his face on me? 

Treatment will vary depending on the severity of signs that your dog is showing and the likely underlying cause. If your dog only shows occasional or mild signs of face rubbing and your vet rules out all potential causes it may be deemed that it is normal behaviour for your dog.  

If an underlying cause is suspected, treatment may include topical treatment, such as shampoos or ear drops, to oral medications for allergies, infections or pain. In some cases, like dental disease or oral pain, your dog may require sedation or a general anaesthetic to x-ray their teeth and extract any teeth that are diseased. If signs are severe and an underlying cause is not found, your vet may refer you to a specialist for a second opinion and possibly advanced imaging such as an MRI or CT scan. 

If you have any concerns about your dog’s behaviour or health please get in contact with your vet whp will be able to help get to the bottom of it as fast as possible!