Many dog owners have dealt with the confusion (and frustration) of seeing the family dog walk into the living room and rub its face in the carpet, usually right after the room has been vacuumed. Many dog owners are at a loss when it comes to explaining this common behavioral trait. So what does it mean when your dog is rubbing its face into the carpet? Is something bothering the dog? Does it just have an itch?
 
Just cleaning up a bit
The most likely reason why your dog will rub its face in the carpet is a desire to clean its face. There are two common times that your dog may rub its face in the carpet, specifically to clean itself. One is when your dog is done eating and it has small bits of food on its face and around its nose. In order to relieve the itchy sensation from those bits of food, your dog will rub its face in the carpet to clean off the food. Another common time is first thing in the morning. If your dog tends to wake up with eye rheum (or eye boogers), it is not uncommon for it to use the carpet to clean the rheum off of its face. While you cannot do anything to avoid the need to clean its face after eating, you can wipe your dog's face in the morning if there is noticeable rheum that occurs on a regular basis.
 
Wacky wrinkles
If you have a dog with facial folds, such as a pug or bulldog, you are probably accustomed to seeing your best friend rub its face in the carpet on a daily basis. Dog breeds with wrinkles, especially deep wrinkles on the face will often use the carpet as a means of itching, cleaning, and relieving irritations. Those wrinkles easily collect dirt, bacteria, and food particles. As a result, your dog will use the carpet to clean its face and relieve any discomfort. You can avoid this by lending your pup a hand and wiping out its folds on occasion.
 
Infections, allergies, and mites
Although not as common as the need to clean itself, your dog may also be rubbing its face in the carpet to relieve itching and irritation caused by infections, allergies, and mites. The most common infection that would cause a dog to rub its face in the carpet is an ear infection. If you notice your dog rubbing its ears and face in the carpet on a frequent basis, look for discharge from its ear. If its ear is red and swollen, you should take your dog to the vet.
 
Allergies in dogs often manifest as extreme itchiness. When you catch your dog incessantly rubbing its face in the carpet, it could be the result of a new product in the household environment that is causing an allergic reaction. If you've recently switched its food or started using new cleaners, that could be at the root of the face rubbing.
 
Ear mites are pesky parasites that nest in a dog's ear. Ear mite infections cause intense discomfort in your dog's ears and prompt an intense desire to itch. Rubbing its face in the carpet or against furniture is the best relief your dog can find in many cases. Keep an eye on any increase in face rubbing, as a serious infestation could create high levels of discomfort in your dog.
 
Why not?
Sometimes your dog just enjoys rubbing its face in the carpet. There doesn't always need to be a reason why your dog is rubbing its face in the carpet. Sometimes dogs simply find that itching their faces in the carpet is a fun sensation, and they will do it just because it is fun. As with any pet behavior, if you keep a close eye on the frequency of face rubbing you will be able to determine quickly if it's being done for fun or because something is wrong.