Bee and Wasp Stings on Pets: What Owners Should Do

Pets investigate insects with their mouths and paws, making stings common.

The short answer

Move your pet away, check for a stinger and remove it by scraping, apply a cold compress, and watch for swelling, breathing trouble, vomiting or collapse. See a vet urgently for mouth or throat stings, multiple stings or signs of allergy. Don't give human medicines without advice.

Do

1. Move away from the insects.
2. Scrape out any stinger.
3. Cold compress.
4. Monitor closely.

See a vet

• Swollen face or throat.
• Breathing difficulty.
• Vomiting or collapse.
• Many stings.

When to call a professional

See a vet urgently for serious symptoms.

Frequently asked questions

Can I give antihistamines?

Only on vet advice.

Do dogs get allergic?

Yes.

Are cats at risk?

Yes.

How to prevent?

Remove nests near play areas.

This guide is part of IPest's complete resource on bee and wasp control. For identification help, prevention and treatment options, see our full bee and wasp control guide for Bangalore.