Bee Sting on Dog Paw: Immediate Home Removal and Benadryl Dosing

It is a rite of passage for almost every puppy: seeing a buzzing "sky raisin," biting it, and immediately regretting it. The most common sting location is the paw (from stepping on a bee) or the face (from investigating it).

Suddenly, your dog is yelping, holding their paw up, and limping dramatically. While frightening, most bee stings are manageable at home—IF you remove the stinger correctly and know the signs of anaphylaxis.

Step 1: Remove the Stinger (The Credit Card Trick)

Speed matters. A bee stinger continues to pump venom into the skin for minutes after the bee is gone.

The Golden Rule: DO NOT USE TWEEZERS. If you grab the stinger with tweezers, you will pinch the venom sac attached to the top, injecting the remaining venom directly into your dog.

The Correct Method:

1. Find the sting site (look for a swollen red bump or a black dot).
2. Take a rigid card (credit card, ID).
3. Place the edge against the skin and scrape it across the stinger.
4. This pops the stinger out from underneath without squeezing the venom sac.

Step 2: Soothe the Swelling

Once the stinger is out, it will still hurt.

1. Cold Compress: Wrap an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) in a thin towel. Hold it on the paw for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off. Never put ice directly on the skin—it can cause ice burn.
2. Baking Soda Paste: Mix baking soda and a little water to make a thick paste. Apply it to the sting site. It helps neutralize the acidic venom and reduces itching.

Step 3: Administer Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)

Yes, you can give your dog human Benadryl. Every dog owner should have a box in their first aid kit.

The Dosage: The standard veterinary dose is 1 mg per pound of body weight.

• 10 lb dog: 10 mg (Children's liquid or half a 25mg tab).
• 25 lb dog: 25 mg (One standard pink tablet).
• 50 lb dog: 50 mg (Two tablets).
• 75 lb dog: 75 mg (Three tablets).

CRITICAL WARNINGS:

1. No Decongestants: Buy "Plain Benadryl." Do NOT buy "Benadryl-D" or any box that says "stuffy nose" or "cold relief." These contain Pseudoephedrine, which can cause seizures and heart failure in dogs.
2. No Xylitol: Check the liquid version ingredients. If it contains Xylitol (birch sugar), it is toxic.
3. No liquid gels: The liquid center absorbs too fast. Stick to the pink tablets.

When to Rush to the Vet (Anaphylaxis)

Most dogs just get a swollen paw. But just like humans, some dogs are deathly allergic. Anaphylactic shock happens quickly (15 minutes to an hour).

RED FLAGS (Go to ER Immediately):

1. Facial Swelling: Even if stung on the paw, if the face/muzzle puffs up (the "hippo face"), their throat may be closing.
2. Respiratory Distress: Wheezing, gasping, or pale gums.
3. Vomiting/Diarrhea: Sudden vomiting within minutes of a sting indicates a systemic reaction.
4. Collapse/Weakness: If they stumble or faint.

Multiple Stings: If your dog disturbed a nest and was stung multiple times, do not treat at home. The toxin load can cause kidney damage. Go to the vet.

The Aftercare

For the next 24 hours:

• Monitor: Swelling might increase before it decreases.
• Prevent Licking: The paw will be itchy as it heals. If they chew it raw, they will cause a secondary infection ("Hot Spot"). Put a sock on the paw (tape it loosely at the ankle) or use a cone.
• Drowsiness: The Benadryl will make them sleepy. This is good dry—rest helps healing.

Conclusion

A single bee sting is usually just a painful lesson. By learning the "Scrape, Ice, Dosing" protocol, you can save yourself an expensive emergency visit and get your pup feeling better within an hour.

Read Next: Snake Bite First Aid