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Bee Stings in Dogs

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The four-legged friend has just been romping around happily in the garden. In the next moment, he howls in pain. What happened? A bee or wasp has stung the dog.

In most cases, this scenario will be completely harmless. In rare cases, such a bite can be dangerous for your dog.

That’s why it’s important to know exactly what to do if your dog is stung by a bee, wasp, or hornet.

First aid: what to do if your dog is stung by a bee or wasp?

  1. Remove the sting
  2. Cool the sting site
  3. If there is a bite in the mouth, consult a veterinarian
  4. Observe the possible allergic reaction

These are the four most important first aid tips that you can implement immediately.

How dangerous is a wasp sting for a dog?

Many four-legged friends love to go insect hunting in summer. This often has painful consequences.

If you realize your dog has been bitten, stay calm. Try to calm your dog down. Because most animals are frightened when they are stung by a bee.

Some dogs even run away in panic. If your pet is very skittish or nervous, it may make sense to put it on the leash.

Remove the sting

Then find the sting site. Most of the time, you can spot the spot easily because the dog licks the spot. Swelling is relatively easy to feel.

Examine the area and see if the spike is still there. If you get a bee sting, you need to remove it completely. A pair of tweezers will help here.

A cut onion or vinegar water help against the first pain. You can then cool the sting site. The pain will usually be forgotten just a few minutes later.

Did you know that bees can only sting once? They die after the sting because the sting gets stuck. Wasps, on the other hand, can sting multiple times. Your sting doesn’t necessarily get stuck.

Distinguish bees from wasps

At first glance, you may find it difficult to tell bees and wasps apart.

Both insects warn potential attackers of their poison with a yellow and black-ringed body. But don’t confuse these two insects with hoverflies.

  • Bees can be recognized by their rather brown bodies. They are “chubby” but smaller than bumblebees.
  • Bumblebees are the harmless sisters of bees. Although they have a sting, they would rather bite.
  • Wasps have a clearly articulated body that appears slender. The yellow is more intense than that of bees.
  • Hornets are wasps’ big sisters. The hornet’s body is about five to ten times larger than a wasp.
  • Hoverflies look like small wasps. However, they are completely harmless and have no sting.

Bees and wasps are useful insects. It’s hard to believe when you’ve been bitten yourself. The fact is, without bees the world we live in would not exist. Because bees pollinate the flowers of many plants.

Wasps feed on carrion and other insects, among other things. The fun stopped for me with a wasp nest on the awning of our balcony. I had the fire department remove the wasp nest.

Before the specialists arrived, I had to get permission from the environmental agency. Wasps are one of the protected insect species. Their nests are only destroyed if they pose a high risk to humans.

Allergic reaction to a bee sting in dogs

Your dog may react to an insect bite with an allergic shock.

In what is known as anaphylactic shock, the immune system reacts to the stimuli that the insect bite triggers in the body. How quickly this condition can become life-threatening is difficult to say.

Be sure to look out for the following symptoms after an insect bite:

  • Your dog seems weak
  • Your dog is becoming increasingly apathetic
  • Your dog is shaking
  • The mucous membranes are pale
  • Breathing and heartbeat get faster

If symptoms like this appear shortly after the sting, you should go to your vet immediately.

What to do if your dog was bitten in the mouth?

This is especially true if the bite is in the mouth or the area around the nose and mouth. Because any swelling can cause the airways to become blocked.

Again, the first step is to remove the stinger. You should then cool the bite site to prevent swelling. For example, give your dog ice cubes or ice cream to eat.

You can also cool your dog’s neck from the outside with cold compresses.

Take the animal to your veterinarian as soon as possible. A sting in the throat can be life-threatening for dogs.

Can dogs be stung by wasps?

An insect bite can have serious consequences for dogs. That is why you should take precautions.

Instant cooling compresses are very helpful. These do not have to be pre-chilled. They are simply folded and then cooled for up to 30 minutes.

Nevertheless, you will not be able to avoid your dog encountering wasps or bees in the summer months. However, there are a few things you can do to protect your dog:

  • As a puppy, prevent the dog from chasing insects and possibly catching them in its mouth. This works very well when you distract puppies with toys or treats.
  • Regularly check food and water bowls before the dog drinks and eats. Make sure you have fresh water and don’t leave any leftover food in the bowl.
  • In the garden, make sure that your dog does not necessarily play in the flower bed. You should avoid regions with an increased number of insects.
  • Check your house and garden regularly for wasp nests. Remove them in good time. Don’t forget wasp nests in the ground.
  • If you already know your dog is allergic to insect bites, you can carry emergency medication with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What helps with bee sting dogs?

Ice cube bags, cooling pads, or damp cloths are suitable. The aim: is to prevent the throat from swelling. If you find that your dog’s mucous membranes or tongue are swelling and your dog is suffering from shortness of breath, first aid in the form of mouth-to-nose resuscitation is necessary.

How long does a bee sting in dogs last?

The swelling from the wasp/bee sting can last from a few minutes to a few hours. With my dog, the swelling after a bite in the paw was hardly visible after 30 to 60 minutes. It is important that the swelling does not continue to increase, but rather decreases with cooling.

Are dogs allergic to bees?

In the case of a mild allergic reaction to bee or wasp venom (grade 1), the skin swelling can spread over the dog’s entire body. Occasionally, one-off vomiting or diarrhea may occur.

When does an allergic reaction after a wasp sting occur on a dog?

Like some people, some dogs are allergic to insect stings or bites. The extent of the reaction can vary greatly. In most cases, such reactions occur within 20 minutes, rarely only after a few hours.

What is an allergic shock in a dog?

Allergic shock in dogs

You can recognize this by breathing difficulties, drooling, seizures and vomiting. Loss of consciousness can also occur when your dog goes into allergic shock. If your dog experience any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian immediately as this condition can be life-threatening.

What happens when a dog eats a bee?

An insect bite can be dangerous for dogs. Especially if bees or wasps sting the four-legged friend in the mouth or throat, this can lead to swelling of the mucous membranes – in the worst case the dog can suffocate.

What soothes dog skin?

Fennel seeds (may relieve itching) Chamomile tea (may relieve itching) Aloe vera gel (soothes skin) Apple cider vinegar (against fleas).

Can I give began then to my dog?

Good wound care is important for the wound to heal well afterward. You can use a simple wound healing ointment such as Bepanthen for this. You can also apply commercially available zinc ointment to your dog. This has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.

Mary Allen

Written by Mary Allen

Hello, I'm Mary! I've cared for many pet species including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish, and bearded dragons. I also have ten pets of my own currently. I've written many topics in this space including how-tos, informational articles, care guides, breed guides, and more.

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