What Every Cat Parent Needs To Know If Your Cat Is Stung By A Bee?

Posted by Jenifer Loras on December 27th, 2020

Bee stings are not uncommon occurrences when the cats are outside. If your feline friend is stung by a bee, there are some things you need to know before you try to relieve a bee sting at home.

Recognizing A Sting

In certain cases, a cat will undergo a localized reaction, resulting in mild swelling and tenderness in the sting area. Most of the time, this happens on the face, usually near the nose, or on the paw, due to the propensity of the cat to beat her prey around. Look up if the stinger is still in the wound. Bees have barbed stingers that detach themselves from their bodies and become stuck in the skin when they sting. Wasps, on the other hand, keep their stingers intact, allowing them to sting their victims several times, which may increase the danger to your cat.

Spotting A Bee Sting

Sometimes, the cause of your pet's discomfort cannot be apparent. You will note that:

• Squeal or Yelp 
• Constant scratching 
• Excessive salivation
• Swelling, especially in the face
• Lameness or swelling of the paw
• Trouble breathing – this is rare, but if you find it you can check your cat's tongue; if it's pale or grey, your cat needs the vet's urgent care, and you should call your veterinarian immediately.

Treating  A Mild Reaction In Your Cat

Use the tips below to help your cat recover from a mild reaction to a bee or wasp sting.

• Ask your vet to give diphenhydramine/benadryl to your cat, which treats mild allergic reactions. Make sure that the drug only includes diphenhydramine as an active ingredient and is not mixed with pain relievers, decongestants, etc.
• Soothe the wound by adding a thick paste of baking soda and water.
• Reduce the swelling with the ice pack. Apply an ice pack, a bag of frozen peas or a chilled towel to the affected area for 10 minutes to minimize swelling.
• If your cat tries to lick, scrape, or bite the healing wound spot, use a head cone or a cat booties. 
• Provide fresh water and soft food, particularly if your cat has been strung in or near the mouth as it would be difficult to eat dry food.

Monitor Your Cat Afterwards

Observe your cat closely after the sting episode to ensure that an allergic reaction does not occur and that the swelling does not worsen or spread. If a few days go by and the swelling doesn't go away, let your veterinarian know.

For mild reactions, it is advised to monitor your pet for 12–24 hours after a sting. For more extreme reactions, your vet will give you a detailed advice.