Health
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The presence of bees, and even wasps, buzzing around is a welcome sign of the upcoming spring and summer months. In either case, your curious pooch may stick their nose into some black-and-yellow territory at some point, and if they’re unlucky, get themselves stung.
In this article, we’ll explain what to do if your dog gets stung by a bee or wasp, and some tips to keep your dog safe from bees and other bugs.
It could be that you've witnessed your dog being stung by a bee, wasp or other insect first hand, but it could be that it happened out of sight. If this is the case, what are the recognisable signs that your dog has suffered a sting? Here are the indicators your pooch has been stung, from mild to more severe symptoms:
Your dog may show symptoms more quickly and more severely if they have an allergy. But how do you decipher a normal sting and an allergic reaction? If your dog is suffering from an allergic reaction to their sting, they may display the following symptoms:
If your dog displays any of the above symptoms, contact your vet immediately. This can be classed as an emergency case as allergic reactions can pose a risk to life. Bee, wasp and other insect allergies in dogs are rare, but they can occur and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
First of all, don’t panic! It’s extremely common for dogs and cats to be stung by bees, wasps and other stinging insects. After all, they spend much time outside exploring and interacting with whatever they find.
A bee or wasp sting isn’t usually serious for dogs (unless they have an allergy, so your pooch should soon be fine with some simple treatment and comfort. That said, if you are worried about your pooch, especially if they're a young pup, don't hesitate to contact your vet.
Less severe reactions to a bee sting can be treated at home with a few easy steps:
For minor stings, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days for the symptoms of a bee/wasp sting to subside. For more severe reactions, your dog should be seen by a vet who may prescribe or administer pain relief, anti-sickness medication or anti-histamines.
We can’t have our eye on the dog 100% of the time, and occasionally they might get themselves into sticky situations. However, there are ways of raising your awareness and deterring this from happening.
Keep your garden a safe zone by scanning it regularly for dangers. If there’s a hive or nest nearby, warn your dog from going near it; steer them away with distractions, direct commands, or by blocking off the area.
Supervise your dog when outdoors during the spring and summer months, especially when in woodland areas or walking along hedgerows, where bees and wasps are more common.
Keep your eyes peeled when out on a walk. Bees and wasps can lurk in the grass and even on the pavement when injured - even dead bees and wasps can still pack a sting. Just lure your pooch away and continue with your walk.
Biting ants. Keep your pooch away from ants nests as even our standard UK ants can cause itchiness and irritation, or even nip at your dog.
Spiders. Spider bites are rare in dogs and don't often cause much harm. If your dog is bitten by a common spider, they may experience similar symptoms to a bee/wasp sting.
Ticks. These are often found in shaded, grassy areas and woodlands, and are especially prevalent in spring and autumn. Ticks latch on to your dog to feed, and can transmit nasty conditions like Lyme disease. To keep ticks at bay, read our article to learn everything you need to know about checking, prevention and treatment.
Fleas. Your best defence against fleas is a good flea prevention treatment, which your dog should be regularly prescribed (either via a flea spray, shampoo or a dog collar).
For a soothing snack to treat your dog after a sting, try our healthy, vet-approved dog treats. Grain-free and packed with natural ingredients and gut-friendly probiotics, they can help your pooch get back to their happy selves in no time.
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