Does your dog jump after flies and moths, or try pouncing on spiders? Dogs often explore their environments with their mouths, which can sometimes result in swallowing something dangerous — like a bee. If you think your dog swallowed a bee, you’re probably wondering what will happen next. The answer depends on whether or not the bee stung your dog on the way down. Let’s take a look at some of the risks and consequences of dogs eating bees.
Dogs are naturally curious creatures and will often eat or chew on things they shouldn’t. One common scenario is when a dog eats a dead bee. While not ideal, this incident is usually harmless. However, there are potential risks, so it’s good to be informed on what to do if your dog eats a dead bee.
Is It Dangerous for a Dog to Eat a Dead Bee?
In most cases, a dog eating a dead bee is not dangerous Since the bee is already dead, it cannot sting the inside of the dog’s mouth or digestive tract The main concern is if the stinger is still attached to the bee’s body when eaten.
The bee’s detached stinger can cause irritation or inflammation. In rare cases, it may even introduce venom into the dog’s system. This is most dangerous if the stinger pierces the throat on the way down.
Overall, a dog eating a dead bee with no stinger is relatively low risk. The main exception is if the dog has a bee venom allergy. Even small amounts of venom from remnants on the body can trigger a reaction.
Signs of an Allergic Reaction in Dogs
For dogs with bee venom allergies, these are signs of an allergic reaction to watch for
- Swelling around the muzzle, eyes, or throat
- Hives or rash on the skin
- Panting, wheezing, coughing, or trouble breathing
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Weakness, collapse, loss of coordination
- Abnormal drooling or licking lips
- Anxious behavior or agitation
If you notice any of these allergy symptoms within minutes to hours after your dog eats the bee, contact your vet right away. Severe allergic reactions can be fatal without swift treatment.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats a Dead Bee
If your dog eats a dead bee, here are the recommended steps:
Check your dog’s mouth – Look for any stingers stuck in the gums, tongue, roof of mouth, or inner cheeks. Also check the throat by gently opening their mouth. Remove any stingers you find.
Monitor for allergic reaction – Keep an eye out for allergy symptoms like swelling or vomiting over the next 6-12 hours. Take your dog’s temperature a few times to watch for fever.
Call your vet – Even if you don’t see a stinger or reaction, it’s a good idea to call your vet and let them know what happened. They may advise you to come in or recommend things to watch for.
Avoid giving medication – Don’t give your dog any medication like Benadryl without consulting your vet first. What helps some dogs may harm others.
Consider an exam – If you notice any concerning symptoms, take your dog to the vet clinic. Your vet can examine them to rule out issues.
Rest and hydrate – Make sure your dog rests and has access to fresh water in case their throat is irritated from the bee. Hydration aids healing.
Monitor their appetite – Note if your dog refuses food or has trouble eating over the next 12-24 hours. Loss of appetite can indicate problems.
By following these steps, you can keep your dog safe and catch any worrisome symptoms early. Call your vet with any concerns.
Are There Any Risks If the Bee Had No Stinger?
If you are certain the dead bee your dog ate had no stinger, the risks are very low. Since the stinger and venom sac are gone, the main danger is gone.
That said, there are a couple risks to be aware of:
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Allergic reaction – Even bee body parts or remnants of venom on the body can trigger a reaction in dogs with bee venom allergies.
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Infection – Bees can carry bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Consuming the bee poses a low infection risk.
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Intestinal upset – The bee’s exoskeleton could potentially cause some irritation to the intestinal tract. Signs would include vomiting or diarrhea.
While these risks are minimal for most dogs, it’s still wise to monitor your dog closely following ingestion. Call your vet at the first sign of anything amiss.
What Should I Do if My Dog Vomits After Eating a Bee?
If your dog vomits after eating a bee, contact your vet right away. Vomiting can indicate a reaction to the venom, irritation from a stinger, or other issues like an infection.
To help your vet determine the cause, note details about:
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How long after ingestion the vomiting began.
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Whether you found a stinger in the vomit.
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What the vomit looks like – clear, bloody, containing food, etc.
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If your dog seems to feel nauseated before vomiting.
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Whether your dog has vomited more than once.
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If your dog is showing any other symptoms along with vomiting.
Your vet will likely ask you to bring your dog in for an exam. They can check for bee sting swelling, allergic reaction, or digestive upset. Bloodwork and other tests may be recommended.
In the meantime, withhold food but allow access to small sips of water. Monitor vomiting frequency. Seek emergency care if your dog seems lethargic or has difficulty breathing.
How Can I Prevent My Dog From Eating Bees?
To help prevent your dog from eating bees:
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Remove flowers, trees, and bushes that attract bees from your yard.
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Keep your dog on a leash when outside and redirect them away from bees.
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Use secure fencing to keep your dog away from neighbor’s bee-friendly gardens.
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Keep food and sweet drinks inside where bees cannot reach them.
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Pick up fallen fruit from trees that may attract bee swarms.
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Use chemical repellents designed to keep bees away from patios and decks.
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Keep your dog inactive for 30-60 minutes after meals since activity and excitement can induce vomiting.
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Train your dog to stop and look at you for a treat when they notice a bee, rather than chasing it.
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Consider having your vet test your dog for bee venom allergies so you know if they are at risk.
Staying alert and preventing access to bees is key to keeping your dog from licking, biting, or eating them. Their curiosity can be tough to resist!
When Should I Take My Dog to the Vet After Eating a Bee?
It’s a good idea to contact your vet any time your dog eats a bee to discuss risks and be prepared.
You should definitely seek veterinary care right away if you notice any of the following signs:
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Swelling of the face, muzzle, eyes, or throat
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Hives, rash, or bumps on the skin or in the mouth
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Trouble breathing, coughing, or wheezing
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Excessive drooling or licking lips
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Loss of appetite or difficulty eating
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Vomiting or diarrhea, especially if repeated
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Weakness, lethargy, loss of coordination, or collapse
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Crying or whining in pain
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Any abnormal behavior following ingestion
Don’t wait to see if symptoms worsen or try home treatments. Get prompt veterinary help at the first sign of an allergic reaction or other problem. Quick treatment can help prevent serious complications.
Are There Any Long Term Concerns If My Dog Ate a Bee?
In most cases, there are no long term health concerns if a dog eats a dead bee and receives prompt veterinary care if needed. With proper treatment, dogs fully recover with no lasting effects.
However, in rare cases, a severe reaction or untreated bee sting can cause lasting damage. Extended swelling in the throat can injure tissues. Venom absorption can damage organs if not treated swiftly.
Allergic reactions can also cause damage over time. Repeated exposure to small amounts of venom may make reactions progressively worse.
The best way to avoid lasting harm is to prevent your dog from eating bees and seek immediate veterinary care if they do ingest one. Your vet can advise you on any potential long term risks based on your dog’s unique situation.
Key Takeaways
To recap, here is what you need to know if your dog eats a dead bee:
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Check your dog’s mouth carefully for stingers and remove them if present.
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Monitor closely for signs of allergic reaction over the next 12-24 hours.
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Contact your vet right away even if your dog seems fine.
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Do not give any medication without your vet’s guidance.
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Take your dog to the vet clinic promptly if concerning symptoms develop.
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Help your dog rest and stay hydrated until recovered.
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Consider allergy testing if your dog has eaten bees before.
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Prevent access to bees as much as possible.
While eating a dead bee is not ideal, try not to panic. With vigilance and prompt care from your vet if needed, your dog has good chances of making a full recovery. Call your vet with any concerns after the incident.
What Happens if a Dog Eats a Bee?
In most cases, dogs eating bees isn’t inherently dangerous.1 As long as the bee is swallowed without stinging, it should be digested with no lasting harm to your pup. At worst, this might cause your dog to vomit.
The real danger comes from the risk of your dog being stung while they attempt to eat the bee. Swelling in the throat or mouth could make it difficult for them to breathe, turning a spicy snack into a real medical emergency.1 If you notice any swelling around the mouth or throat, along with difficulty breathing, bring your dog to the vet right away.
Why do dogs eat bees?
Some dogs, such as pointers or Labrador retrievers, have been bred to focus on movement. Others might simply be attracted by the buzzing of a bumblebee. It’s even possible for some dogs to develop “fly-snapping,” a Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD) that causes them to bite at imaginary flying insects.2 Whatever the reason, a dog’s curiosity plus their tendency to explore with their mouths is a potent combination that often ends with swallowed bugs — including bees!
What happens if a dog eats a dead bee?
FAQ
What to do if my dog eats a dead bee?
If you think your dog has eaten a bee or wasp, let your vet team know. You may be asked to bring your dog in to be checked, but if not, you’ll need to watch them closely for the next 10-12 hours.
Should I take my dog to the vet if it ate a bee?
The best thing to do is just CALL THE VET with how they look (ie. breathing fine, not really in too much pain, but nose has swollen up, I think he ate a bee). Just ask how much benedryl you can give for (breed, sex, weight) and they’ll likely tell you without fuss. Especially if they know you already.
Are dead bees poisonous?
Note: A dead bee’s stinger can sting you, and the force of your weight on the bee’s body can result in venom injection. So, don’t step on, sit on, or play with dead bees. Discard dead bees.
Is it harmful for a dog to swallow a bee?
In most cases, dogs eating bees isn’t inherently dangerous. As long as the bee is swallowed without stinging, it should be digested with no lasting harm to your pup. At worst, this might cause your dog to vomit. The real danger comes from the risk of your dog being stung while they attempt to eat the bee.Mar 4, 2024