Dog Stings and Bug Bites

Dog Stings and Bug Bites: 8 Dog tips to help sooth bug bites and stings

To your pet, bites from mosquitoes and other insects can be very itchy and annoying, as well as stings from bees, wasps, and hornets. Although most bites and stings are not considered dangerous, they can cause a lot of pain and nuisance with your dog.

Below some suggestions on how to alleviate your dog's pain and irritation that is caused by insect bites and stings:

1. Apply baking soda - An effective way to help soothe the discomfort is by gently rubbing on a paste of baking soda with water onto the bite or sting several times a day, says Larry Thompson, D.V.M., clinical veterinary toxicologist in New York. He stated that "the alkalinity helps relieve the itch."

2. Try some meat tenderizer - Dr. Thompson stated that meat tenderizers have enzymes that aid in breaking down the poison in insects stings and reduces the irritation. Create a paste by mixing the tenderizer with water, applying immediately to the sting. Repeat as necessary.

3. Break an aloe vera leaf - Aloe vera is great for minor skin irritation. Applying a thin coat of gel from the plant soothes discomfort and relieves irritation. You can also buy aloe vera gel from pharmacies and health food stores.

4. Find the culprit - If your dog was stung by a bee, chances are the stinger is still somewhere in his coat. To remove it, get a good view by parting his hair. Remove the stinger using your fingers or tweezers. If the stinger is in a visible area and can be easily removed, scrape it out with your fingernail. Doing this will prevent any added venom from entering the wound.

5. Aim for some ammonia - E. Murl Bailey, Jr., D.V.M., PhD, a professor of toxicology at the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine stated that ammonia helps relieve the pain from insect bites and stings. He suggests dabbing ammonia right on the area with cotton.

6. Relieve with some milk of magnesia - A medication that contains magnesium hydroxide which eases irritation and itchiness. Apply a thin coat a few times per day to your dog.

7. Cool it off - Just like a person, your dog can be helped by applying cold compress reduces the swelling and eases the pain. Hold it in the area for about five minutes or longer, making sure that your pet is comfortable.

8. Try some over the counter - Applying a thin coat of hydrocortisone cream is recommended for sore spots.