My Dog Ate A Bee, Now What?

Dogs often explore their environments with their mouths. This can sometimes result in swallowing something that could cause them harm — like a bee, wasp, or other stinging insect.

If you think your dog ate a bee, they may need vet care. Let’s take a look at what could happen when dogs eat bees, signs they may have been stung, and what to do if your dog has an allergic reaction.

What Happens if a Dog Eats a Bee?

In many cases, your dog is unlikely to be harmed by eating a bee. If they swallow a bee without getting stung, your dog should be able to digest it without serious issue.¹

The real danger comes from the risk of your dog being stung while they attempt to eat the bee. For milder, localized reactions, swelling of the throat, tongue, or mouth around the sting site could make it difficult for your dog to breathe — turning a spiky snack into a real medical emergency.^1,2

Some dogs may also be allergic to bees and experience more severe reactions to stings. Anaphylaxis occurs when a dog’s immune system overreacts to the bee sting and causes widespread, sometimes life-threatening, reactions. It’s important to bring your dog to the vet right away to be treated for anaphylaxis.²

Signs Your Dog Has Been Stung by a Bee

When a bee stings, it injects a small amount of venom, causing pain and swelling at the sting site.³ If your dog ate a bee, symptoms can range from minor discomfort to anaphylaxis — so look for signs such as:^1,2,3

• Drooling
• Swelling, redness, or hives
• Lethargy
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing

Monitor your dog over the next 24 hours for any of these signs. In the meantime, there are some steps you can take to mitigate their discomfort, such as locating and removing the stinger, applying a cold pack to the site of the sting, and giving them a vet-approved dose of antihistamines, like Benadryl^®.^2,3,4

When Is a Bee Sting Considered Serious?

A bee sting is typically considered serious when your dog gets stung multiple times or has a severe allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis may cause your dog to go into shock, or have low blood pressure, low blood circulation, and difficulty breathing. Certain bee stings can even cause facial paralysis, seizures, and neurological issues.^2,3

If you already know your dog is allergic to bee stings, call your vet as soon as you suspect your pup might have been stung. If your dog has never been diagnosed with a bee allergy but is still displaying abnormal symptoms, it’s advised to get them to a vet as soon as possible.^2,3

Treatment and costs for severe bee sting reactions

If your dog ate a bee and has a more severe reaction, vet care is essential. They may require intravenous (IV) fluids, supportive care to ensure breathing and blood circulation are stabilized, and medication like epinephrine or corticosteroids. Dogs are closely monitored to ensure they recover.²

Treatment costs for anaphylaxis could range from $350 – $800 depending on the severity of the reaction.⁵

Bee Prepared for Vet Bills With MetLife Pet Insurance

While most bee stings only cause mild discomfort and swelling, some dogs can be allergic and need prompt veterinary care. For the 24 hours after your dog swallowed a bee, observe them and contact your vet if you notice any abnormal symptoms.^1,2

A dog insurance policy with MetLife Pet could reimburse you up to 90% of covered vet costs if your pup needs treatment after eating a bee.⁶ You also get free, 24/7 access to a vet chat in our mobile app so you can quickly and easily ask about next steps if you’re concerned about your dog.⁷

Get started today with a free quote from MetLife Pet.