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Dogs are curious, and sometimes that natural curiosity can lead them to approach stinging insects like bees.
From what we researched, dogs getting stung by bees is one of the most common problems pet parents have to deal with.
But the good news is that most bee stings in dogs are mild and you can manage them at home with simple remedies.
On the downside, some bee stings can awaken allergic reactions in dogs, and in this case, they need urgent vet care.
Continue reading this guide as we cover dog stung by bee tips & remedies that every pet parent should know.
This resource is here to help you act from a point of knowledge in the unfortunate event your dog gets stung by a bee, wasp, or hornet.
Why Do Dogs Get Stung by Bees So Often?
Dogs getting stung by bees is a frequent occurrence. You must have watched how your pup chases insects across the yard, and that’s how they may end up messing with bees.
Because our canine friends interact with the environment using their mouths and noses, they are likely to poke a bee on a flower or even one hovering in the air.
This action puts your dog in danger of getting stung by the visibly disturbed bee. Bees, wasps, and hornets use stinging as a defense mechanism.
It’s unlikely that a bee will seek out your dog for a sting. Another interesting fact to know is that bees with barbed stingers (like honeybees) can only sting once and die afterward.
On the other hand, wasps and hornets can sting multiple times.
It’s important to know these differences when seeking out treatment because a honeybee leaves the sting behind while wasps do not.
Puppies are at more risk of getting stung by a bee because they haven’t learned that chasing certain insects can cause pain.
Dog breeds with innate hunting drive and those who like spending time in the woods such as during camping trips are more likely to encounter a bee sting.
Dog Stung By Bee Symptoms
The importance of knowing dog stung by bee symptoms is that you can them provide timely care to prevent further injuries.
Here are some of the common symptoms to look out for once you suspect your dog has been on the receiving end:
Mild Symptoms
In almost all cases, a dog that was stung by a bee will show some forms of localized reactions at the sting site.
Some of these reactions include sudden yelping or pawing at the stung area, visible swelling or a raised bump, redness or warmth around the sting, and mild limping if the sting was on a paw.
Some dogs are also likely to lick or chew the affected area without stop. These symptoms are related to how humans feel when they get this sting. It’s uncomfortable, but not deadly.
Moderate Symptoms
In the moderate state, some dogs are likely to produce more pronounced reactions after getting the sting.
A dog that was stung by a bee with relative symptoms may experience hives or welts spreading beyond the sting site.
Other symptoms include swelling around the face, increased drooling, restlessness or visible discomfort. Some dogs may also throw up, albeit mild.
If your dog shows any of these moderate symptoms, we strongly suggest you monitor them closely. Over the counter antihistamines can also help manage, but ask your vet about this.
Severe Symptoms (Anaphylaxis)
Although minimal, there is a small percentage of dogs who can develop massive negative reactions to bee venom.
These dog stung by bee symptoms in allergic canines can show up quickly and escalate within a matter of minutes.
Some of the symptoms may include difficulty breathing or wheezing, severe swelling of the face, throat, or neck, pale or blue-tinged gums, and sudden collapse or extreme weakness.
Other dogs may also show symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea occurring together, and rapid or weak pulse. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening emergency.
If your bee stung dog is showing any of the above symptoms, we recommend you reach out to your vet immediately.
Please note that anaphylactic reactions can develop within minutes of the sting, so you should race against time if this happens.
First Aid for a Dog Stung by Bee
Every second counts when dealing with a dog with bee sting. Here is a step-by-step approach you can follow to remedy the situation:
Step 1: Stay Calm and Restrain Your Dog
A bee stung dog is restless, anxious, and in pain. You should therefore calm your furry friend immediately this happens.
Having a calm dog after the sting will prevent them from being jumpy or possibly running off which can aggravate the situation further.
Step 2: Locate and Remove the Stinger
Reach out to your dogs paws, muzzle, face, or just anywhere you notice the sting is lodged. This should appear as a small dark speck at the center of the swelling.
To remove the sting, scrap it across with a flat-edged object. You can use a credit card or your fingernails too.
Don’t use your fingers to remove the sting, and definitely avoid using tweezers because they can squeeze more venom into your dog.
Step 3: Clean the Area
Once you have removed the sting from the site, we recommend you gently wash the area using mild soap and clean water.
Step 4: Apply a Cold Compress
After cleaning and drying the area, you can now apply a cold compress to relieve the negative effects of bee sting od dogs.
To do this, wrap ice or a similar cold pack in a cloth and put it on the stung area. Let it sit there for about 10 minutes, remove it and wait 10 minutes again before returning it.
Do not apply the ice pack directly on your dog’s skin. Doing this may cause frostbites or ‘ice burns’.
A cold compress will help tone down the swelling and relieve your dog from the pain of harboring a bee sting.
If your dog has sensitive skin, we recommend keeping your grooming supplies closer for that gentle after care.
Step 5: Apply a Baking Soda Paste
Bee venom is acidic. So, you should aim to neutralize it using an alkali paste made with baking soda.
To prepare this paste, mix a small amount of baking soda with water. Apply the paste directly to the sting site.
In addition to neutralizing the acidic venom, baking soda can also help soothe the irritation on the stung area.
Dog Stung by Bee Face
When a dog is tung by a bee on the face, they most probably lead with their nose and got pricked. It is a very common type of sting for dogs.
For the most part, bee stings on a dog’s face are highly likely to cause a noticeable swelling within minutes. This could be in areas around the muzzle, eyelids, or lips.
This huge swelling is possible because of the loose skin on a dog’s face which allows for fluids to accumulate rather quickly.
Due to this anatomy, a minor dog bee sting is highly likely to appear major, just because of the level of swelling.
While the initial look of a dog stung by bees funny face can be confusing, the swelling alone is not usually dangerous. This is unless it begins to affect the dog’s ability to breathe.
To relieve facial stings, you can apply a cold compress wrapped in a cloth to the swollen area for about 10 minutes at a time can help reduce inflammation.
Dog Stung by Bee in Mouth
One of the most concerning issues is a dog stung by bee in mouth. This, we believe is more concerning because of the potential of a swelling obstructing the airway.
Your dog is at a higher risk of getting that oral bite when they bite the buzzing bees or try to snap them.
If you have a dog stung by bumble bee in mouth, we recommend you check for excessive drooling, difficulty in swallowing, pawing at the mouth, refusal to eat or drink, or labored breathing.
A swell that starts small in the mouth can grow and occupy the dog’s throat, and this can become dangerous when left unchecked.
The moment you notice your dog struggling to breathe rapidly, or having a noisy and strained breathe after a bite, you should treat that as an emergency.
For mild oral stings where your canine friend is breathing as norm, you can offer ice cubes or frozen broth cubes for the dog to lick. The cold helps reduce internal swelling.
My Dog Swallowed Bee. What Should I Do?
If your dog swallowed a bee, the first thing you need to beware of is the insect itself is not toxic. So don’t panic.
In fact, dogs can digest a bee without causing any digestive harm on their system. However, the big problem is whether the bee stung the dog along the food pipe on the way down.
Once your dog swallowed bee and continues to act normally without pawing at the mouth, or drooling, then it’s possible the bee didn’t sting.
It could also mean there’s a sting, but it’s so minor and in most cases, those resolve on their own. Monitor your dog for about one or two hours to clear all doubts.
On the other hand, when your dog swallows bee and the insect leave a sting on the way down, then you should watch out for the symptoms discussed in the section about mouth stings.
Just to remind you, these symptoms include drooling, gagging, reluctance to eat, and having a noticeable facial or throat swelling.
In these instances, you can use the same cold therapy items to reduce the impact of the bee sting.
Get that anti-histamine if okayed by your vet and take a trip to the nearest clinic if your dog experiences troubled breathing.
If your puppy ate bee, the assessment process is the same as for adult dogs, but you should act with extra urgency.
Once your dog swallowed a bee once, they are likely to try it again especially when there was no negative consequences on the dogs after eating bees.
Make sure your canine friend masters the leave it command. You can use it in this case when they visibly poke buzzing insects.
When to See the Vet After Your Dog Is Stung
As we mentioned earlier, not every dog with bee sting needs a vet visit, but the severe cases should be handled by one.
Even without considering the symptoms, we suggest you see a vet if your vet if stung multiple times in a single ‘attack’.
If your canine friend has any swelling along the throat, mouth, or they have difficulty breathing, then a vet can offer better help.
Other symptoms that warrant that emergency call include the dog appearing lethargic, vomiting, or one which doesn’t show improvements within 24 hours of using home remedies.
If your dog has had a severe reaction to a previous sting, they’re at higher risk of developing anaphylaxis with future incidents.
If your dog that was stung by a bee has a known history of allergic reactions, your vet may prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) for emergency use.
Once your dog arrives at the clinic, the vet may offer several treatment options for severe reactions.
These may include injectable antihistamines, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, and intravenous fluids to support blood pressure.
Other treatment options include epinephrine in cases of anaphylaxis, and oxygen therapy if breathing was compromised.
The good news is that most dogs recover well from bee stingers when treatment is administered without delay.
How to Prevent Your Dog Getting Stung by A Bee
To prevent is always better that seeking treatment. You may not eliminate the risks of your dog getting stung by a bee by 100%, but there are things you can do.
The first thing you’ll want to do is discourage your dog from roaming into the flower sections of your home garden or yard.
You’re most likely to find bees foraging around these areas, in search of nectar. To make it better, we recommend sectioning off areas with flowers.
On the same breath, you need to stay away from flowery areas whenever you’ll be taking your furry friend for a walk outdoors.
During outdoor picnic moments with dogs, make sure to keep sugary foods and drinks covered. Bees and wasps are likely to get attracted by sugary foods.
Final Thoughts
As you may expect, a dog that was stung by a bee is likely dealing with pain and a potentially frightening experience.
The good news is that we can manage the vast majority of bee stings on dogs at home, with cold therapy.
We hope the above dog stung by bee tips & remedies have equipped you with the knowledge needed to handle this situation when it arises.
Laura is the founder of Furs'n'Paws. She is a also a pet writer and expert with more than 20 years of experience of working with dogs and cats. She developed a very strong love for animals at a young age. Her passion led her to establish a thriving pet sitting and dog walking business in Dubai. As an expert in pet training, behavior, and nutrition, Laura is committed to helping pet owners and pet lovers by offering high-quality information on a wide range of topics.
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