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Dog Rubbing Face After Eating: What’s Happening + What to Do!

Ever noticed your dog rubbing their face after eating and wondered why? This common action, often followed by wiping their face on the carpet, might seem peculiar but actually has understandable explanations.

We’ll delve into why dogs rub their face after eating, including what’s going on if this problem pops up all of a sudden. Additionally, we’ll teach you how to manage and possibly stop your dog from rubbing their face on the floor or carpet after eating, ensuring their post-meal habits are both safe and hygienic. Let’s begin!

Dog Rubbing Face After Eating

Dog Rubbing Face After Eating

Dogs rubbing their face after eating is a common behavior that may stem from simple causes such as cleaning their face or more complex issues like dental discomfort or allergies. While it’s often a normal part of their grooming routine, observing the context and frequency of this behavior can provide insights into whether it’s a harmless habit or indicative of underlying health issues.

Why Do Dogs Rub Their Face After Eating?

Dogs rub their face after eating as part of their natural grooming process, to remove food particles from their whiskers or face. However, if the behavior seems excessive or is accompanied by signs of discomfort, it might indicate dental problems, skin irritations, or allergies.

Watching for additional symptoms and contacting a veterinarian can help determine if further action is needed.

Dog Rubs Face After Eating All of a Sudden

If your dog rubs their face after eating all of a sudden, it’s important to pay attention to this change in behavior. This could be a response to a new food causing irritation or an allergic reaction. Look for other signs of distress or discomfort, such as redness around the face, drooling, or reluctance to eat, which could necessitate a vet visit.

Dog Wipes Face After Eating: How to Stop

To discourage your dog from wiping their face after eating, ensure their eating area is clean and free from irritants that could cause discomfort. Regular dental check-ups can also prevent dental issues that might lead to face rubbing.

Training your dog with commands to stop and redirecting their behavior to a more appropriate grooming spot or activity after meals can also be effective. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key in modifying this behavior.

While dogs rubbing their face after eating can be part of their normal grooming process, it’s important to observe your dog for any signs of discomfort or changes in behavior. Addressing any underlying health issues with the help of a veterinarian and maintaining a clean eating environment can help minimize this behavior.

It’s important to remember, however, that any underlying behavioral issues (defiance, overexcitement, etc.) that may be contributing to all of this will still be present. And until you address those, any positive changes you see will only be temporary.

“Well, how do I make these changes last?”

By getting your dog to truly choose to follow your direction, that’s how. I tried many times to write out how you can do that before deciding it made more sense to just link you to the free video series that explains it better than I’d ever be able to.

The series is by a man named Dan who is one of the world’s leading dog obedience trainers. In it, he teaches you how to put an end to things like your dog rubbing their face after eating on places they shouldn’t and all other problematic behavior using his fast and easy-to-follow methods.

In the first video, Dan will reveal to you why the two most common methods of dog training only doom you to failure. You can watch the video now by clicking here. Follow the proven system he’ll show you in his series and you’ll never have to spend another second worrying about why your dog rubs their face after eating ever again!

Dog Rubs Face on Carpet After Eating

Why Do Dogs Rub Their Face After Eating?

When your dog rubs their face on the carpet after eating, it’s usually a natural behavior stemming from various reasons. This action can be due to the dog trying to clean its face, alleviate discomfort from teeth or gums, or simply as a post-meal ritual. Understanding the underlying cause is essential for addressing any potential issues.

Why Is My Dog Rubbing Face on Carpet After Eating?

Your dog is rubbing their face on the carpet after eating due to several potential reasons. It may be a way to clean their face after a meal, especially if their food was particularly messy. Alternatively, it could indicate discomfort in their mouth or teeth, prompting them to rub against the carpet to relieve the sensation.

Some dogs also exhibit this behavior as part of their instinct to mark territory with their scent, using the glands in their cheeks to leave their mark. Learn how to prevent this behavior by going back to the first section now.

Puppy Rubs Face on Floor After Eating

Your puppy rubs their face on the floor after eating for similar reasons as adult dogs. However, with puppies, it could also be a sign of teething discomfort or an exploration of their environment. Puppies are learning about the world around them, and rubbing their face on different surfaces can be part of this learning process.

It’s also a way for them to relieve any gum discomfort they might be experiencing due to new teeth coming in.

Dog Rubbing Face on Floor After Eating: How to Stop

To stop your dog from rubbing their face on the floor after eating, start by ensuring they are eating from a clean bowl and their face is wiped clean after meals. Regular dental checks can help identify if discomfort from teeth or gums is the cause.

If the behavior is due to instinctual scent marking, training commands like “leave it” or redirecting their attention to a toy or activity post-meal can help. Always contact your vet if you suspect health-related issues to ensure your dog receives appropriate care.

In conclusion, a dog rubbing their face on the carpet after meals can be for hygiene, comfort, or instinctual reasons. Observing your dog’s behavior and ensuring they are healthy and engaged can help minimize or redirect this habit.

You’re probably ready to begin now that you have all of your questions about why your dog rubs their face after eating answered, so I’ll let you get started on things. Best wishes, and thank you for taking a look at our article “Dog Rubbing Face After Eating: What’s Happening + What to Do!”.

The Author

KB Williams

KB Williams

Hey there! I'm a dog behavior expert and lover of travel. Since 2016, I've been sharing my knowledge of dog training and behavior while exploring the Pacific Northwest with my two rescues.