{"id":10517,"date":"2022-05-08T12:01:06","date_gmt":"2022-05-08T12:01:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/?p=10517"},"modified":"2023-08-01T11:41:15","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T11:41:15","slug":"why-do-french-bulldogs-rub-themselves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/why-do-french-bulldogs-rub-themselves\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do French Bulldogs Rub Themselves? Reasons+Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-14101bc2\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Why-Do-French-Bulldogs-Rub-Themselves-featured-image.jpg\" alt=\"French Bulldog rubbing against the grass\" class=\"wp-image-10534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Why-Do-French-Bulldogs-Rub-Themselves-featured-image.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Why-Do-French-Bulldogs-Rub-Themselves-featured-image-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Why-Do-French-Bulldogs-Rub-Themselves-featured-image-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Why-Do-French-Bulldogs-Rub-Themselves-featured-image-705x397.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><span class=\"last\">Home<\/span><\/p><\/nav>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading post_title_h1\" id=\"sc-post-title\">Why Do French Bulldogs Rub Themselves? Reasons+Prevention<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post_info\"><strong><a   class=\"post-author-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/author\/alex\/\">Alex Vicente<\/a><\/strong> \u2022 Updated on August 1, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"disclaimers\">\n<li><span class=\"av-icon-char\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-av_icon=\"\ue822\" data-av_iconfont=\"entypo-fontello\"><\/span> This review contains affiliate links. Read more <a href=\"\/affiliate-disclosure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5794\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"av-icon-char\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-av_icon=\"\uf0fa\" data-av_iconfont=\"fontello\"><\/span> Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>One day you walk up to your French Bulldog rubbing himself in a manner you haven\u2019t seen before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This strange behavior keeps happening day after day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eventually, you notice how he scoots his rear on the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You haven\u2019t changed anything in how you treat or feed your dog, yet the rubbing persists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, you Google up: Why do French Bulldogs rub themselves?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>French Bulldogs have many reasons to rub themselves.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Some of them are of no concern like puberty, turf marking, and self-cleaning.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>However, infection, pests, and inflamed glands cause your Frenchie to itch and rub himself.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Take him to the vet to solve this problem.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019d like to learn how to differentiate between normal self rubbings and problematic ones, read on.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li ><a href=\"#normal-self-rubbing-behavior\">Normal Self Rubbing Behavior<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#problematic-self-rubbing-behavior\">Problematic Self Rubbing Behavior<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#keep-him-clean-keep-him-checked\">Keep Him Clean, Keep Him Checked<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"normal-self-rubbing-behavior\">Normal Self Rubbing Behavior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/French-Bulldog-rubbing-against-the-wall.jpg\" alt=\"French Bulldog rubbing against the wall\" class=\"wp-image-10536\" title=\"Why Do French Bulldogs Rub Themselves?\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/French-Bulldog-rubbing-against-the-wall.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/French-Bulldog-rubbing-against-the-wall-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/French-Bulldog-rubbing-against-the-wall-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/French-Bulldog-rubbing-against-the-wall-705x434.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the following scenarios, you don\u2019t need to worry if you see your Frenchie rubbing himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Puberty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Frenchies start to rub themselves when they begin to mature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Especially when heat cycles are close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both male and female Frenchies would be curious about that new change in their bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>French Bulldogs will rub themselves to explore that new change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Frenchies rubbing themselves could be bothering to some people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/care\/spay-and-neutering-dogs-101-everything-you-need-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5795\">Spaying<\/a>&nbsp;your Frenchie is a good way to fix this.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-bf01ede9\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-8deeea5f\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-d9845efa\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-d9845efa\">\n\n<p class=\"p_nomargin_bottom\"><strong>You may also want to read:<br><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/best-dog-food-for-german-shepherds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5796\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/spay-french-bulldog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5797\">At What Age Should You Spay a French Bulldog? Plus Pros &amp; Cons<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-32f0d868\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-32f0d868\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-75 has-custom-font-size is-style-fill btn_read_more has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/spay-french-bulldog\/\" style=\"border-radius:5px;background-color:#eaa802;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5798\"><strong>Read More<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Territory Marking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When Frenchies want a mate, they try various methods to attract one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples of these methods are howling, urinating, and rubbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>French Bulldogs rub their&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/vets-corner\/anal-gland-disease-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5799\">anal glands<\/a>&nbsp;to secrete a fluid with a distinctive \u201cfishy\u201d smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When they do that somewhere, it means that they\u2019re marking it as their territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This fluid is also used to attract members of the opposite gender for mating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, sterilizing your Frenchie is a good way of avoiding all the stinky behaviors of territory marking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Attempting to Clean Themselves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most dogs clean themselves using their tongues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The French Bulldogs can\u2019t do that, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Frenchies belong to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/dog-breeds\/brachycephalic-dog-breeds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5800\">brachycephalic<\/a>&nbsp;dog family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These short-nosed pups have great difficulty in reaching all their bodies with their tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why they try to clean their parts using their paws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s common for things to get stuck in the butts of Frenchies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They don\u2019t have long tails that prevent dirt from reaching them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even some fecal matter could get stuck in their butts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since their tongue can\u2019t reach, they will use their paws to rub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>French Bulldogs will need your help to stay clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They can\u2019t clean their ears, teeth, paw pads, facial folds, butts, and backs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s up to you to brush, groom, and take care of your Frenchie\u2019s hygiene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"problematic-self-rubbing-behavior\">Problematic Self Rubbing Behavior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/skin-irritation-on-french-bulldog.webp\" alt=\"skin irritation on French bulldog\" class=\"wp-image-9447\" title=\"skin irritation on French bulldog\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/skin-irritation-on-french-bulldog.webp 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/skin-irritation-on-french-bulldog-300x185.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/skin-irritation-on-french-bulldog-768x473.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/skin-irritation-on-french-bulldog-705x434.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are some scenarios when your Frenchie rubbing himself is out of normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Infected Anal Glands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Any part that is hard to reach for your Frenchie could get infected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their anal glands are the furthest glands from their faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of that, these glands are commonly infected and in some other cases, blocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An infected or blocked anal gland is very painful for you Frenchies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They will try to reduce the pain by squeezing the gland with their paws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In additional efforts to get rid of the pain, your Frenchie might also drag or scoot his butt across the grass or floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you notice inflamed or enlarged anal glands on your Frenchie, then it\u2019s time to call the vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He should prescribe the proper antibiotics to relieve the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The vet should also help you unblock or \u201cexpress\u201d the dog\u2019s anal gland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube noLightbox\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Express Dog&#039;s Anal Glands - Veterinarian Recommended Way (GRAPHIC)\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VXpIYcWpkBo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Urinary Tract Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All dogs are liable to have an infection in their urinary tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is more common in French Bulldogs because how they can\u2019t clean themselves properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trapped bacteria and yeast will cause infections over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To your Frenchie, this infection is an itchy sensation in their butts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Frenchie will try to get rid of this itchiness by scratching it with his paws or scooting on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This will worsen the condition and increase inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t take your Frenchie to the vet, the infection will progress further and cause&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/health\/noticing-dog-uti-symptoms-could-be-something-more\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5801\">a urinary tract infection<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the constant irritation, you may encounter further symptoms like smelly or even bloody urine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Pests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>French Bulldogs aren\u2019t known to have thick coats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That makes them more liable to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesprucepets.com\/common-dog-parasites-1117427\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5802\">pests<\/a>&nbsp;than other dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the number of these pests increases, your Frenchie will try to get rid of them by trying to rub them off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure that your Frenchie is getting his pest treatments on time to reduce the severity of these pests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bugs and insects could also bite your French Bulldog in areas where he can\u2019t lick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So he\u2019d rub that area instead. You could notice this when your Frenchie keeps rubbing the same area over and over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Proper hygiene of your Frenchie is paramount if you want to rid your pup of these small buggers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Skin Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>French Bulldogs\u2019 inability to properly clean themselves makes them liable to having skin infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These infections happen in every area that the dog can\u2019t clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The facial folds, for example, could trap a lot of moisture between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This trapped moisture could lead to a condition known as Lip Fold Pyoderma; a condition where the skin inside the facial folds of the Frenchie gets inflamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Skin infection can happen anywhere on the body of your French Bulldog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Feet, ears, paw pads, and anal sacks are all areas that could easily get infected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the skin infection reaches the rear of your Frenchie, he will try to relieve the itchiness by rubbing it or brushing it against the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Constant cleaning and consulting your vet are good measures to prevent those skin infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"keep-him-clean-keep-him-checked\">Keep Him Clean, Keep Him Checked<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/French-bulldog-inside-a-bathtub-wrapped-in-a-towel.jpg\" alt=\"French bulldog inside a bathtub wrapped in a towel\" class=\"wp-image-10016\" title=\"French bulldog inside a bathtub wrapped in a towel\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/French-bulldog-inside-a-bathtub-wrapped-in-a-towel.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/French-bulldog-inside-a-bathtub-wrapped-in-a-towel-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/French-bulldog-inside-a-bathtub-wrapped-in-a-towel-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/French-bulldog-inside-a-bathtub-wrapped-in-a-towel-705x434.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Why do French Bulldogs rub themselves?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It often stems down to infections, inflammations, and bad hygiene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These issues cause itchiness and discomfort to your Frenchie that he tries to get rid of by rubbing himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should be aware of the normal self rubbing behavior to avoid worrying too much when you don\u2019t have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, you should be aware of when things need the intervention of the vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, you can prevent the whole thing from happening by keeping your dog clean and checked.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wondering why do french bulldogs rub themselves? Learn about all of the reasons why this happens and some of the signs you need watch for.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10534,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[177],"tags":[130],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10517"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10517"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10517\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10534"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10517"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10517"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10517"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}