How To Deal With Bug Bites On Dogs Like A Boss

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!

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.

Now confining your buddy indoors to keep them safe from bugs might not be the best solution. (Yes, even if you two aren’t the outdoorsiest pair.) The resulting boredom, lack of exercise, and lack of sensory stimulation just isn’t worth it.

Because if you’re dealing with a case of bug bites, it’s likely your dog’s been running into them…somewhere or the other, right?

💡 It’s where keeping track of the spots you two run into on your walks makes sense. (Or wherever your buddy likes to wander if they’re allowed a bit of unsupervised outdoor time.)

Aka, the bug-prone zones in your neighborhood – or out in nature where you two like to go running, walking, camping, or hiking together.

Which you could do by monitoring your dog 24/7 (and which we both know isn’t sustainable over time.)

Or you could join a growing family of over a million loving, responsible dog parents around the world – just like you – who are using dog GPS trackers as an emergency measure.

🐶 With your trusty Tractive GPS strapped to your buddy’s collar, you can now track your dog:

• In real-time,
• Over an unlimited range,
• Over a Heat Map of their favorite hangout spots (including any they come home extra itchy from)
• Over a 24-hour Location History of what spots they’ve spent most of their time in (including that flea-riddled patch of woodland by your neighbors’)

All with just a glance at your phone.

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What are the signs of bug bites on dogs?

Maybe your dog’s a bit…stoic, temperament-wise, and unlikely to complain much. Or maybe their fur is long and shaggy enough to hide any bites. But it’s important you know what signs to look out for – before any of your buddy’s symptoms worsen. (And now you’re dealing with a more serious problem at the vet’s than if you spot any concerning signs early on.)

So keep an eye out for:

• 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)

💡 See why it’s a good idea to keep track of your buddy’s whereabouts?

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.

🐶 In fact, your trusty Tractive device logs in these spots for you to check as your dog wanders about them all day long.

Aka, when you check your buddy’s Heat Map and Location History...

…you can figure out at a glance where your dog likes to spend most of their time.

Whether that’s in:

• Your neighbors’ backyards,
• That one corner of your backyard that’s perfect for digging a hole under your fence
• The dandelion field by your property, where they might run into a bad case of ticks,
• That innocent little clump of trees behind your house which now houses an enormous beehive.

So you can intervene much before your buddy sticks their nose somewhere they really shouldn’t!

Discover Heat Map Tracking

Read more:

• Why Is My Dog So Itchy? (And How To Bring Them Some Relief)
• Is My Dog Sick? The Main Signs Of Illness In Dogs
• Dealing With A Lethargic Dog: Signs, Steps & Symptoms

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.

💡 And if you’ve invested in a Tractive device…

• Mark out any bug-prone zones in your neighborhood as “danger zones” – and broadcast it to fellow pet parents in your area.

🐶 So you can both keep your buddy safe – and do your part as a responsible pet parent.

Mark Out A Danger Zone

Never have a hike, walk, or run in nature foiled by bugs again

Dealing with bug bites on dogs can be harrowing – but with a little vigilance, you can quickly intervene if you notice any concerning signs beyond some harmless itching or swelling.

Including:

• Behavioral changes, like restlessness, pacing, swatting at their ears, or shaking their heads, rubbing their faces against the floor or vocalizing more.
• 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
• Limping
• Breathing difficulties, including coughing and wheezing
• And in some cases, anaphylactic shock
• Bites or stings around your buddy’s mouth and throat. These can open up the risk of suffocation and need immediate medical attention.

In some cases, dogs might be allergic to bug bites. In mild cases, this might show up as redness, swelling, itching, and mild discomfort. A cold, damp cloth to the bite zone can help reduce swelling.

But if you notice these symptoms persisting – or worsening – then get your dog to a vet for a thorough checkup. They can best prescribe what medications can help bring your buddy some relief and what preventative measures can best help avoid infections down the line.

🐝Importantly: Keep track of the bug-prone zones in your neighborhood

Prevention goes a longer way than cure – and figuring out where your buddy’s running afoul of the local bug population can help you:

• Avoid these areas altogether,
• Double down on the bug spray before heading there,
• or even warn other pet parents about the dangers.

All of which you can do with just a glance at your phone – if you’ve invested in a Tractive device.

Because imagine the relief and peace of mind from knowing you’re taking an active role in your dog’s health and well-being?

Plus, why limit your time with your buddy outdoors when it’s still warm enough to hike, run, camp, bike, or even swim together in nature – 100% stress-free (and bug-free)?

Always know where your dog is

Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.

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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.