What to Do Right After a Sting

Act fast, but stay calm so your dog doesn't panic. These steps follow advice from Texas A&M's veterinary college and its AgriLife Extension first aid guide.

  • Lead your dog away from the area so more insects can't sting.
  • Look for a stinger, a tiny dark splinter in the skin, and scrape it out with the edge of a card instead of squeezing it.
  • Keep your hands clear of the mouth, since a dog in pain may bite, and use a muzzle or a towel if you need to handle the face.
  • Hold a cool, damp cloth on the swollen spot while you call the vet.
  • Snap a photo of the insect or the nest if you can do it without getting stung.
  • Give no medicine or home remedy unless your vet tells you to.

A stinger only shows up after a bee sting. Texas A&M's Pet Talk on insect stings notes that bees are the only stinging insects that leave a stinger behind. If you can't find one, your dog was most likely stung by a wasp, which can sting more than once.

Signs of a Sting in Dogs

Wasps and bees most often sting dogs on the face or a paw, because dogs sniff, paw and snap at buzzing insects. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that stings in small animals land most often on the face and in the mouth.

The first clue is often sudden behavior. Texas A&M's Dr. Christine Rutter describes dogs that start limping or cry out for no clear reason while outside. Other signs include licking a paw, pawing at the face, drooling and a swollen lip, eye or toe. Signs can show up right after the sting or within a few hours.

When a Sting Becomes an Emergency

Where the sting landed and how your dog reacts tell you how fast to move. This table sorts the common situations.

What happened What you might see What to do
One sting on a paw or leg Limping, licking, a swollen toe Call your vet now and watch closely
Sting on the face or muzzle A puffy lip, eye or cheek Call your vet now, since swelling can spread
Sting in the mouth or throat Drooling, gagging, swelling inside the mouth Go to an emergency vet now
Many stings at once Dozens of welts after a nest or swarm Go to an emergency vet now
Any sting plus body-wide signs Hives, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness or collapse Go to an emergency vet now

Severe reactions can move quickly. Texas A&M notes that multiple stings can be life threatening, and Merck lists bloody vomiting and bloody diarrhea among the effects of many stings. Swelling in the mouth or throat can also make breathing hard.

Why DFW Dogs Get Stung

DFW yards hold three common stingers, and dogs find all of them. Yellowjackets nest underground in lawns, and their colonies peak in late summer and fall, when foraging workers turn aggressive. A dog that digs at the entrance hole can take many stings in seconds.

Paper wasps build under eaves, fence rails, dog houses and grill covers, right at nose height for a curious dog. Honey bees work clover in the lawn, so dogs that snap at them often take a sting in the mouth.

Africanized honey bees add a Texas risk. The Texas Apiary Inspection Service's page on Africanized bees lists frantic animals and loud noise among their triggers. A barking dog near a hive in a water meter box can set off a mass attack.

Keeping Stinging Insects Away From Your Dog

Supervision is the best protection, according to Texas A&M's vets. Walk the yard before letting your dog out in late summer, and watch for ground holes with steady wasp traffic. Feed your dog indoors when yellowjackets are active, since they scavenge meat and sweet food.

Nests near the back door, the dog run or the fence line are worth removing. A technician can knock down a nest by the back door at any hour, so you never have to keep the dog in until evening. See our treatment for wasp and hornet nests for how it works. Our pet-friendly treatment options dry in about 15 to 30 minutes, so your dog can get back outside the same day. Families near our Southlake office get the same any-hour nest treatment through wasp and hornet removal in Southlake.

Dog Stung by Wasp FAQ

Should I give my dog Benadryl for a wasp sting?

Only if your vet tells you to. Texas A&M's veterinarians advise talking to a vet before giving any medication, because the right drug and dose depend on your dog's weight, health and reaction.

How long should I watch my dog after a sting?

Watch closely for several hours. Texas A&M notes that signs can appear right after a sting or within a few hours, so keep your dog inside and in view for the rest of the day.

Can cats get stung by wasps too?

Yes. Wasps usually sting cats on the face or a paw while they bat at insects, and cats show the same warning signs as dogs. Treat a stung cat the same way and call your vet.

If wasps keep nesting where your dog plays, price a treatment online or by phone, and we'll handle the nests.