Dog Stung by Bee? What to Do (Home Treatment Guide 2025)

Bee Sting Symptoms in Dogs

Dogs often get stung on the face, paws, or mouth while investigating buzzing insects. Here's what to expect:

Normal Reactions (Not an Emergency)

Sudden yelping or crying
Pawing at face or licking the sting site
Localized swelling at sting site
Redness and warmth around the area
Mild swelling of the face or paw
Drooling (if stung on face)
Limping (if stung on paw)

Allergic Reaction Signs (EMERGENCY)

⚠ Severe facial swelling - eyes swollen shut, muzzle very swollen
⚠ Difficulty breathing - wheezing, gasping, rapid breathing
⚠ Hives - raised bumps all over body
⚠ Vomiting or diarrhea
⚠ Pale or blue gums
⚠ Weakness or collapse
⚠ Excessive drooling
⚠ Disorientation

These signs indicate anaphylaxis - a life-threatening emergency. Get to a vet immediately.

How to Remove the Stinger

Bee stingers have venom sacs that continue pumping venom even after the bee is gone. Quick, proper removal is important:

DO: Scrape It Out

✓ Use a credit card edge
✓ Use your fingernail
✓ Use a dull butter knife
✓ Scrape sideways across the skin
✓ Act quickly - within minutes

DON'T: Squeeze It

✕ Don't use tweezers
✕ Don't pinch with fingers
✕ Don't squeeze the venom sac
✕ Don't pull straight up
✕ Squeezing pushes more venom in

Note: Only honeybees leave stingers behind. Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets can sting multiple times without leaving a stinger.

Home Treatment Options

For mild reactions (localized swelling only), you can treat at home:

Treatment	How to Apply	Purpose
Cold Compress	Wrap ice in cloth, apply 10 min on/10 min off	Reduces swelling and pain
Baking Soda Paste	Mix with water, apply to sting site	Neutralizes venom (bee stings only)
Benadryl	1mg per pound, orally	Reduces allergic response
Aloe Vera	Apply pure gel to sting site	Soothes and cools skin
Oatmeal Bath	Add colloidal oatmeal to lukewarm bath	Relieves itching (for hives)

Do NOT Apply These:

• Human antibiotic ointments (Neosporin is generally safe but unnecessary)
• Hydrocortisone cream (dogs will lick it off)
• Essential oils (many are toxic to dogs)
• Apple cider vinegar (irritating)

Benadryl Dosing Guide for Dogs

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is safe for most dogs and can help reduce mild allergic reactions. The standard dose is 1mg per pound of body weight.

Benadryl Dosing Chart

Dog Weight	Benadryl Dose	Standard Tablets (25mg)
10 lbs	10mg	Half tablet
25 lbs	25mg	1 tablet
50 lbs	50mg	2 tablets
75 lbs	75mg	3 tablets
100 lbs	100mg	4 tablets

Can be given every 8-12 hours if needed. Maximum of 3 doses per day.

Important Benadryl Warnings

• ONLY use plain Benadryl (diphenhydramine only)
• NEVER give Benadryl-D or other combination products
• Check for xylitol in liquid formulas - it's toxic to dogs
• Consult vet first if your dog has glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, or is pregnant
• May cause drowsiness - this is normal

Recognizing an Allergic Reaction

Allergic reactions can range from mild to life-threatening. Know what to watch for:

Mild Allergic Reaction

Can usually be treated at home with Benadryl:

• Slight facial puffiness
• Mild hives (small bumps)
• Extra itchiness
• Minor swelling beyond sting site

Moderate Allergic Reaction

Call your vet - may need prescription medications:

• Noticeable facial swelling
• Hives spreading across body
• Excessive drooling
• Mild vomiting (once)
• Restlessness or agitation

Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)

EMERGENCY - Go to vet immediately:

• Eyes swollen shut
• Throat/airway swelling (difficulty breathing)
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Pale or blue gums
• Collapse or extreme weakness
• Rapid or weak pulse
• Disorientation

Note: Allergic reactions typically occur within 10-30 minutes of the sting, but can happen up to several hours later. Monitor your dog closely for at least 1-2 hours.

When to See the Vet

Seek Veterinary Care Immediately If:

⚠ Facial swelling that's severe or progressing
⚠ Any difficulty breathing
⚠ Vomiting or diarrhea
⚠ Collapse, weakness, or disorientation
⚠ Multiple stings (5 or more)
⚠ Sting inside mouth or throat
⚠ Pale or blue gums
⚠ Previous severe reaction to stings
⚠ Very young puppy or senior dog
⚠ Small dog with face/throat sting

See Vet Within 24 Hours If:

Swelling continues to increase after 24 hours
Sting site looks infected (pus, increasing redness, heat)
Your dog seems in significant pain
Swelling hasn't improved after 72 hours
You're unsure if the reaction is normal

Prevention Tips

You can't completely prevent bee stings, but you can reduce the risk:

Avoid flowering areas during peak bee activity
Keep your dog away from bee hives and wasp nests
Don't let them snap at flying insects
Check your yard for ground-nesting bees and wasps
Be careful around outdoor food and drinks (bees love sweetness)
Keep Benadryl on hand - especially if your dog has been stung before
Ask your vet about an EpiPen if your dog has had severe reactions

For Dogs with Known Bee Allergies

If your dog has had a severe allergic reaction before, ask your vet about keeping an EpiPen (epinephrine auto-injector) on hand. They can teach you how and when to use it. Dogs with previous anaphylaxis are at high risk for future severe reactions.

Keep Your Dog Looking and Feeling Great

Regular grooming helps you notice skin issues, bumps, and stings early.

Find Groomers Near Me

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my dog gets stung by a bee?▼

First, stay calm and remove the stinger by scraping it off (don't squeeze it). Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. You can give Benadryl (1mg per pound of body weight) to help with mild reactions. Monitor for allergic reaction signs like facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or collapse. Most bee stings can be treated at home.

How much Benadryl can I give my dog for a bee sting?▼

The standard dose of Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for dogs is 1mg per pound of body weight, given 2-3 times daily. For example, a 25-pound dog would get 25mg (one standard Benadryl tablet). Use plain Benadryl only - never give formulas with decongestants (Benadryl-D) or xylitol. Always consult your vet first.

When should I take my dog to the vet for a bee sting?▼

Seek immediate veterinary care if: your dog has facial swelling (especially around eyes, muzzle, or throat), difficulty breathing, vomiting or diarrhea, collapse or weakness, multiple stings, or if they were stung in the mouth or throat. Also go to the vet if swelling increases after 24 hours or doesn't improve.

How do I remove a bee stinger from my dog?▼

Scrape the stinger out using a credit card, fingernail, or dull knife edge. Scrape sideways across the skin. Don't squeeze or use tweezers - this can push more venom into the wound. Bee stingers have venom sacs attached that continue to pump venom, so quick removal is important.

How long does swelling last from a dog bee sting?▼

Normal swelling from a bee sting typically peaks within 24 hours and starts improving within 48-72 hours. Complete resolution usually takes 3-5 days. If swelling continues to increase after 24 hours or spreads significantly, contact your veterinarian.

Can dogs be allergic to bee stings?▼

Yes, dogs can develop allergic reactions to bee stings, including severe anaphylaxis. Signs include facial swelling, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, pale gums, collapse, and excessive drooling. Allergic reactions can occur on first exposure or develop after multiple stings. This is a veterinary emergency.

The Bottom Line

Most bee stings in dogs are painful but not dangerous. Remove the stinger by scraping, apply a cold compress, and consider giving Benadryl for comfort. Watch for signs of allergic reaction for 1-2 hours after the sting.

However, if you see facial swelling spreading, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or collapse, get to a vet immediately. These are signs of a severe allergic reaction that requires emergency treatment.

If your dog has had a severe reaction before, talk to your vet about having an EpiPen on hand. Quick action can be lifesaving for dogs with bee allergies.

Dog Stung by Bee? What to Do

CALL YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY IF:

Immediate Steps for a Bee Sting