First Aid for Bee Stings in Cats and Dogs

Pets love playing outside during the summer and rolling around in the grass but this can be dangerous because they are exposed to all types of biting insects, including bees. Most of the time a bee sting produces a mild reaction in dogs and cats much like it does in humans who are not allergic to them.

When the sting occurs your pet will probably yelp when the barbed stinger enters their flesh. Then they might start rubbing the stung area on the ground or pawing at it in order to try and stop the pain. If their muzzle is swelled up, that is an obvious sign they have been stung.

Watch for Allergic Reactions

Be on the lookout for severe reactions in your pet. If the area becomes extremely inflamed, especially if it is near the mouth or throat, you should go to the vet straight away. Lethargy, disorientation, breathing problems, hyperactivity, anxiousness, weakness, trouble swallowing and fainting are all things that should be watched for after a bee sting. If you notice your pet suffering from any of these, go straight to the vet.

You should watch your pet closely for 24 hours after a bee sting to make sure they are okay. The symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can often occur hours after the sting and symptoms will not always be apparent.

If you end up taking your pet to the vet, they will probably receive an antihistamine, adrenaline or steroid injection. If your pet has been stung by more than one bee, they might need to be hooked up to an IV and be put into intensive care for a period of time. The vet might prescribe medication for your pet to take after he/she leaves the office.

How to Remove the Stinger

If you can see the stinger in the skin make sure that you do not try and pull it out. Doing so might result in more venom being pushed into the skin when the stinger breaks. The best way to remove a stinger is to scrape it away with a fingernail or card.

First Aid for Bee Stings in Cats and Dogs

To help stave off an allergic reaction, you can give your dog or cat over-the-counter benedryl. The dosage for dogs is 1 mg per pound of body weight 2-3 times per day (ref: PetMD). The dosage for cats is the same at 1 mg per pound of body weight, however, liquid benedryl may be easier to administer (ref: PetMD). The most commonly available benedryl comes in 25 mg caplets. Putting the pill(s) in something like peanut butter, a pill pocket or braunschweiger can make giving the dose much easier.

You can ease the pain your pet is having by using Hamamelis virginianum which has been used for hundreds of years as a soothing skin remedy. Calendula officinalis (here are instructions on how to make calendula oil) is good for helping to stop the burning sensation of the sting. Melissa officinalis is great for soothing the skin where the sting happened. Apply any of these topically to help your pet feel better in short order.

Keep Your Pets Healthy, Naturally

Just like us, domesticated animals like dogs and cats are affected by the health hazards of modern living. Pollution, poor nutrition, stress and unhealthy lifestyles can lead to a variety of illnesses and conditions that are very similar to those experienced by people.

As our Native Remedies customers grew to know and trust our range of natural remedies for children and adults, they began asking for safe, effective natural solutions especially designed for their pets. As treasured members of their families, our customers wanted their pets to be able to receive the same benefits as they had discovered for themselves with Native Remedies.

In many cases, our natural remedies for humans were used with great effect for the pets in the family and, as time went on, we could no longer ignore the need for remedies especially formulated for pets, with pet-friendly doses and remedies which could be easily administered. Out of this was born PetAlive – a range of herbal and homeopathic remedies to help with a variety of ailments commonly experienced by dogs, cats, horses, and small pets.

Learn more about PetAlive and their large line of effective, safe and guaranteed remedies for pets!
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