How To Deal With Bug Bites On Dogs

You’ve taken your first aid lessons, learnt what foods to avoid while out hiking or camping with your buddy…but what about bug bites on dogs? Turns out, running afoul of the local bee, tick, or mosquito population can turn an otherwise pleasant time in nature to something that might land you both in the emergency vet ward.

Now the good news is, most bug bites on dogs can be fairly harmless – more annoying to deal with than anything. But in some cases, it might just trigger an allergic reaction or end up way more serious than you expect. So here’s what signs to look out for, how to react right away, and how to figure out what bug-prone zones your dog’s busy sniffing around in. Let’s go!

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How dangerous are bug bites on dogs?

Normally, bug bites on dogs aren’t the most dangerous problem you might run into outdoors. But it does depend on the type of insect and where they’ve bitten your dog that can end up being more serious than annoying.

For example:

Type of bug	What their bite might mean
Bees, wasps, and hornets	These bugs might cause pain and swelling from their stings – but these bites usually aren’t dangerous. Just watch out if your buddy has multiple stings in their mouth or throat area, since these may pose the risk of suffocation. Get your dog to a vet right away if you notice these.
Mosquitoes	Mosquito bites are usually more annoying than dangerous, but may pass on harmful diseases to your dog. Including heartworm and leishmaniasis.
Ticks	Tick bites are painless, but ticks themselves are persistent little critters and often latch on to your dog’s skin to feed on them indefinitely. They can also spread harmful diseases like Lyme diseases, TBE, and anaplasmosis.
Fleas	Flea bites can cause severe itching and skin irritation. Your dog might be allergic to flea saliva, which can worsen their skin problems. Fleas can also spread harmful diseases like tapeworm. So it’s important to get your buddy (and all other pets at home) to a vet if you notice them scratching themselves excessively.
Ants	Some species of ants, like fire ants, can cause painful stings that lead to swelling and irritation.
Flies	Some species of fly, like deer louse flies, resemble conventional houseflies – but their bites might lead to swelling, severe itching, and pain.

💡A dog GPS tracker can help you figure out what spots or “bug-prone zones” in your neighborhood your dog might be coming home extra itchy from. Plus, you can mark these as “no go zones” and get an alert on your phone if your dog ventures into them.

What are the signs of bug bites on dogs?

• Any behavioral changes in your dog, including restlessness, pacing, swatting at their ears, or shaking their heads. In some cases, your dog might rub their faces against the floor or vocalize more, barking or even howling to express their discomfort.
• Other signs your dog isn’t feeling well, including lethargy
• Swelling and redness at the site of the bite
• Excessive itching
• Intense licking of the affected area
• Drooling (which might occur if your poor dog’s landed a bite in their oral cavity!)
• Limping (if your dog’s gotten a sting on their paws)
• Breathing difficulties (if your dog’s been stung in the mouth and throat)
• And in some cases, anaphylactic shock (e.g. in the case of wasp stings)

If your dog likes to, say, spend most of their day in a certain patch of your backyard or in the woods bordering your property, you’re now that much better informed where they might come home extra itchy from.

How can I tell if my dog is having an allergic reaction?

Unfortunately, some dogs can be allergic to bites and stings from a whole bunch of insects. Including bees, wasps, hornets, but even ants, horseflies, and spiders.

Here are some symptoms to keep an eye out for:

⚠️ If you’ve noticed any severe allergic reactions, get your dog to a vet right away – they can be life-threatening and need immediate medical attention!

How to deal with bug bites on dogs’ mouths or throats

An insect bite or sting on your dog’s mouth or throat opens up their risk for suffocating. Watch out for signs like:

• Excessive coughing and gagging, as it trying to remove something from the throat
• Drooling and foaming around the mouth
• Severe swelling around your dog’s mouth, lips, tongue or face
• Difficulty breathing, rapid, shallow breathing, or excessive panting
• Excessive rubbing around the mouth with the paws

Luckily, not all bee stings are life-threatening. But if you’ve found the stinger still lodged in your dog’s skin (especially around their throat), get your dog to a vet to remove it immediately.

First aid for bug bites on dogs: Steps you can take

If you suspect your buddy’s showing any signs of allergy or severe bites, do your best to stay calm. Keep an eye out for any behavioral changes in your dog – including any allergic reactions. If any mild symptoms don’t subside within 15 minutes, get them to a vet immediately.

The right kind of first aid for bug bites on dogs depends on the type of insect – and the type of bite.

• If you’re dealing with a tick, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible to prevent the spread of harmful diseases. Here’s how to remove a tick safely from your dog at home.
• If your dog has been stung by a bee, it’s important to carefully remove the stinger. Use a flat, hard object (like a bank card or your fingernail) to scrape out the stinger. Avoid squeezing it with tools like tweezers, since this might spread any remaining venom to your dog.
• Apply a cold, damp cloth to any bite zones, especially if they’re still warm and swollen.
• In all cases, avoid giving your dog any medication or products designed for humans. Many of these include harmful chemical and other ingredients that might be toxic to dogs!
• Keep an eye out for your dog’s symptoms and ideally, take a video or pictures to show to your vet. If your buddy has a confirmed allergy, your vet can put together a customized emergency first-aid kit.

Read more: How To Whip Up (And Use) A Dog First Aid Kit

Steps you can take to prevent bug bites on dogs

• Try and avoid tall, dense grasses on your outdoor walks. Ticks tend to hang out in areas like these, along with other critters.
• Likewise, areas with fresh flowers or trees with ripe fruit might attract bees and wasps.
• Don’t skip out on your dogs’ regular flea and tick prevention. These might include spot-on treatments and other medication that your vet can best advise you on.
• Wash your dog’s paws and ears thoroughly after walks outdoors.
• Regular grooming and brushing can help you pick up on any critters still clinging to your dog’s fur (and any bites) much in advance.)
• Keep your dog’s food and water bowls indoors to prevent any insects from buzzing around them.
• If your dog is in the habit of snapping or swatting at insects, try and keep them distracted with a toy or a game instead.
• Use a dog GPS tracker to follow your buddy’s movements in real-time – and figure out where your buddy’s running afoul of the local bug population. So you can avoid these areas or double down on the bug spray before you head there together.

Follow your dog anywhere

Get real-time location information, wherever they go. And find out when they try to make an escape, or just when they go somewhere they shouldn’t, with Virtual Fences.

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Want another expert take on what bug bites on dogs might turn up as? Here’s a video from the Veterinary Emergency Group that could save your next hike outdoors:

And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.