What To Do When Your Dog Is Stung by a Bee

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• This article has been reviewed by a pet health professional. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.

For dogs, the world is full of fascinating smells, sights, and—unfortunately—stinging insects. Dog bee stings are a fairly common occurrence, especially in the warmer months when flowers are blooming, the bees are at their busiest, and outdoor playtime is at its peak.

According to Dr. Alexandra Vignocchi, certified veterinarian for Sniffspot, “Dogs tend to get stung out of curiosity. They’ll paw at a buzzing insect or try to snap at it mid-air, and unfortunately, that often ends with a sting, usually on the face, nose, or paws.”

The good news, she explains, is that the majority of bee stings are minor and resolve on their own within a day. If your dog is stung by a bee or wasp, they may experience nothing more than temporary pain and swelling. If your pup is allergic, if they’re stung multiple times, or if the bee hits a sensitive spot, however, a sting can be painful and scary for your dog and for you.

With Dr. Vignocchi’s help, we’ll learn how to identify the symptoms of a bee sting, treatments you can do at home, and when you need to call your veterinarian.

Signs Your Dog Has Been Stung By a Bee

If you spend even a little bit of time outdoors with your dog, knowing the signs that your dog has been stung is key to keeping them safe.

General signs of a bee sting

When your dog is stung by a bee or wasp, they may yelp or paw at the site of the sting. You might also see:

• Swelling
• Small red spots that may be painful or warm to the touch
• Yelping or whining
• Pawing or biting at a particular spot
• Limping or favoring a particular paw
• Itching

In some cases, your dog’s reaction to a bee sting may be a little more severe. The symptoms below should prompt a call to your veterinarian, close monitoring, and extra care, though they don’t usually require a trip to the vet. A moderate reaction to a bee sting can include:

• Continued swelling that may spread
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy

Signs of a bee sting in the mouth

Because dogs like to bite at insects, including bees, it’s not uncommon for a dog to be stung in the mouth or throat. These stings can be particularly dangerous, making it difficult for a pup to swallow or breathe. Dr. Vignocchi recommends seeing a vet right away if your dog is showing any of these symptoms:

• Excessive drooling
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
• Pawing at their face

Signs of a severe or allergic reaction to a bee sting

A severe reaction to a bee sting is more likely to occur if your dog has a bee allergy or suffers multiple stings.

“Most dogs will have a simple localized reaction,” explains Dr. Vignocchi. “But we do see a subset that will develop moderate to severe allergic responses, including full anaphylaxis. If a dog has had a significant reaction before, there’s definitely a higher risk the next sting could be worse.”

Severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, can be fatal, so you must act quickly. Signs of a severe reaction include:

• Swelling around the head and neck
• Trouble breathing or wheezing
• Excessive drooling
• Agitation as a result of pain, itching, or trouble breathing
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Dizziness or disorientation
• Seizures
• Hives anywhere on the body
• Pale gums

If you notice any of these symptoms, take them to a veterinarian immediately, whether it’s your regular veterinarian or an emergency clinic.

What To Do After a Bee Stings Your Dog

For most bee stings, at-home treatments are enough to help your dog stay comfortable and reduce any pain and swelling. Experts at VCA Animal Hospitals recommend the following steps for a mild reaction:

• Find and remove the stinger
• Soothe the sting
• Minimize swelling
• Consult your veterinarian
• Prevent your dog from scratching the area
• Give your dog fresh water and small amounts of food

Remove the stinger

The first thing to do after your dog has been stung is to look for—and remove—the stinger. Removing the stinger can prevent more venom from entering your dog’s body. This won’t eliminate the risk of a severe reaction, but it does reduce it.

1. Locate the stinger. A bee’s tiny stinger may be difficult to find in a dog’s furry coat. Look for a small red, swollen bump in your dog’s skin. You can use your hands to help feel it out, but be careful not to push the stinger deeper into the skin.
2. Use a credit card or flat-edged object to remove the stinger. Scrape the credit card across the skin until it catches and pulls out the stinger. Dr. Vignocchi recommends against using tweezers, as squeezing the stinger can push more venom into your pup’s skin.
3. Discard the stinger. Dispose of it safely so that it won’t be accidentally stepped on by you or your pup.
4. Soothe the skin. Apply a paste of baking soda and water to the sting site to soothe the inflamed skin.

Monitor for symptoms

“The prognosis is excellent for the average sting,” says Dr. Vignocchi. “The concern really comes in when a dog has an allergic reaction, which can escalate quickly.”

Most allergic reactions occur within 20 minutes of the sting, but not always. Some allergic reactions can be delayed by hours.

Closely monitor your pup for escalating symptoms for a full day after the sting. If you notice any signs of a severe or allergic reaction—especially if your dog has been stung before—get them to a veterinarian right away.

Reduce swelling with home remedies

Dr. Vignocchi recommends using a cold compress to help with swelling. Applying an ice pack to the area can reduce swelling and relieve discomfort and pain.

An over-the-counter antihistamine can also help, but dosing is tricky. “I always tell owners to call us first,” she says. Your own veterinarian can help you decide when an antihistamine might be appropriate and how to administer it.

A few additional items to keep on hand in case of a bee sting include:

• Baking soda. A simple mixture of baking soda and water applied to the bee sting can help to soothe your pup’s discomfort.
• Oatmeal. If your dog has multiple stings, an oatmeal bath may help. Add one cup of plain oatmeal ground into a powder to a tub of lukewarm water and let your dog soak for ten minutes before thoroughly rinsing them off.
• An EpiPen. While it is not safe to use a human EpiPen on your dog, your veterinarian may prescribe one that’s veterinarian approved if your dog is allergic to insect bites and stings. You can carry it with you when your dog is outside just to be safe.

What should a pet parent NOT do?

“The big one is this: don’t give your dog any human medication without veterinary guidance,” says Dr. Vignocchi. Your vet can help you administer antihistamines safely if needed.

She also recommends treating every bee sting like a new, unexpected event. “Don’t assume that a mild reaction this time guarantees the same next time,” Dr. Vignocchi explains. “Each sting can be unpredictable, especially with allergies.”

What if my dog ate a bee?

“Most of the time, if a dog eats a bee, they’ll be just fine,” says Dr. Vignocchi. “The stomach acid usually takes care of the venom.”

Some bees and wasps will put up a fight on the way down. If a dog is stung in the mouth, throat, or esophagus, the situation could prove dangerous. If your dog is drooling excessively or having trouble breathing, take them to the vet immediately.

Signs To Go to the Vet

Some dogs are very allergic to bee stings, and just one sting can trigger a reaction. If your dog is showing signs of a severe reaction, get to the veterinarian immediately.

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough examination that will likely begin with a prophylactic Benadryl injection. Once your dog is stable, the medical staff will administer IV fluids and steroids. Your veterinarian may recommend an overnight stay and careful monitoring. A full recovery from a severe allergic reaction may take your pup 7-10 days.

A trip to the vet is also warranted if:

• A bee stings your dog on the nose, near the eye, in the ear, in the mouth, or close to the rectum. You’ll want your veterinarian to check that everything is OK.
• Your dog suffers multiple stings. More stings mean more venom into their system, which could cause your dog to have a more severe allergic reaction.

How To Prevent Bee Stings

Preventing a bee sting doesn’t require that you completely avoid being outdoors. There are many things you can do to decrease the likelihood of a bee sting, even during the spring and summer, when bees are busy collecting pollen and nectar from seasonal flowers.

Here are some of the best ways to practice bee safety:

• Keep your dog away from bee hives. A buzzing, sweet-smelling hive may be fascinating to a curious dog.
• Avoid heavily flowered areas. Bees are drawn to flowers, so it’s best to skip blooming areas as much as possible.
• Wear light-colored clothing when hiking. Bees see darker colors as a threat.
• Keep your dog on a leash when out for a walk or hiking the trails to prevent them from accidentally stumbling upon a colony.
• Spend time outside when bees are least active. This includes early morning and after dark. It can also help you avoid the heat.
• Use vinegar diluted with water as a natural repellent. The Vinegar Institute recommends using one cup of white distilled vinegar to two gallons of water to eliminate odors on smelly dogs. This sour mixture also happens to be unpleasant to bees.
• Apply canine-specific bug spray. While it’s unsafe to use human bug spray on your dog, you can try a bug spray specially formulated to be safe for dogs.

Bees are docile creatures who only sting if they feel threatened. Nevertheless, stings happen. If your dog does happen to meet the stinger of a bee, there’s no need to panic. Call your vet, monitor for allergic reactions, and keep your dog comfortable. As long as you’re prepared and taking the steps to prevent a bee sting, there’s no reason to avoid the great outdoors.