A bug may seem like a tiny threat, until you take a close look at the facts. According to the Entomological Society of America, more than 10 quintillion insects exist on earth at any given time, and they include more than 900,000 species. If those numbers are too difficult to fathom, consider the figure this way: some sources estimate that at least two million bugs exist for every human on earth. 

Your pet makes an easy and appealing bug bite target. Read our Billings Animal Family Hospital team’s guide to learn how to recognize, soothe, and prevent your pet’s insect irritation, and help your pet bite back against these small but stinging pests.

What’s eating you? Biting bugs and pets

Biting insects range in size, shape, and motivation. Some insects, such as spiders and bees, may sting your pet if they feel threatened, while others, including ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes, bite to feed on your pet’s blood. Your pet’s reaction and treatment will depend on the type of bug that bites them. The most common culprits include:

Pets may encounter biting bugs during their everyday travels through the yard or home. Other insect exposures include exploring new spaces such as basements, garages, and crawl spaces, hiking or hunting in wooded areas or fields, and staying in areas where pet populations are highly concentrated such as boarding or grooming facilities or dog parks. 

Bug bite signs in pets

No matter the bug type that bites your pet, the wound creates localized irritation and stimulates an immune system. An insect bite can trigger an allergic reaction that may be mild or serious. Anaphylaxis is a particularly dangerous hypersensitivity reaction that can be fatal for a pet. 

Pets’ bug bite signs vary based on the biting insect’s type and the affected area (e.g., their leg or foot versus their face). Mild irritation signs include:

  • Swelling and redness around the bite wound
  • Palpable heat around the bite wound
  • Hives, bumps, or welts 
  • Sores, crusting, or bleeding around the ear edge (i.e., pinna)
  • Persistent itchiness that is isolated or generalized (i.e., all over)
  • Crying, whining, or vocalizing
  • Limping or favoring a paw
  • Hair loss above the tail, a common flea bite dermatitis (FAD) response

Severe signs are dramatic and generally appear within the first few minutes after your pet has been stung or bitten. If your pet exhibits these signs, seek immediate veterinary attention at Billings Animal Family Hospital or your nearest veterinary center. Anaphylaxis signs include: 

  • Facial or neck swelling
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Weakness or incoordination
  • Lethargy
  • Collapse
  • Seizures
  • Labored breathing or wheezing

At-home bug bite treatment for pets

You can successfully manage your pet’s minor bug bites without veterinary intervention. However, never administer medication intended for people to your pet without your veterinarian’s approval. Many oral and topical pharmaceuticals contain ingredients or recommended doses that could seriously injure or kill your pet. Before using a human-label product for your pet, always contact your veterinarian.

At-home remedies focus on relieving your pet’s pain and discomfort by reducing inflammation and swelling. At-home bug bite treatments for your pet include:

  • Ice packs and cold compresses — Cold reduces swelling and blood flow to the affected area, blocking your pet’s pain.
  • Aloe vera gel — Pure aloe vera gel contains compounds that speed tissue healing and relieve pain and inflammation. Distract your pet after applying aloe vera or any other topical treatment to prevent them from licking off the product.
  • Baking soda paste — Baking soda neutralizes the skin’s pH and reduces pain and inflammation. Mix baking soda with water to create a paste and allow the paste to sit on your pet’s bite wound for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
  • Stinger removal — If a stinger is visible, use a rigid flat-sided item, such as a credit card, to remove the stinger from the skin. 
  • Diphenhydramine — Benadryl (i.e., diphenhydramine) is a pet-safe medication that can ease mild allergic reactions. However, you must administer this medication cautiously because it can cause your pet to experience side effects and increase their overdose risk. Always consult your veterinarian to ensure the proper medication and dose. Never give your pet any diphenhydramine preparation containing other medications, sodium, or alcohol. 

Keep your pet’s bite wound clean and dry to deter further irritation, infection, or injury. Use an Elizabethan collar if your pet is persistently licking or chewing the affected area. 

When to seek veterinary care for a bug bite

In addition to anaphylaxis, a pet may require veterinary attention for excessive itchiness, dermatologic changes (e.g., hair loss, self-inflicted wounds from biting or chewing), or persistent limping. Although these signs do not require urgent attention, persistent discomfort, agitation, and inflammation can signal a more serious underlying problem such as flea infestation or allergy, secondary skin infection, or an embedded stinger.

Veterinary attention is also recommended for known or suspected spider bites. Spider bite signs  vary by species and may take hours to appear. Such signs may include muscle stiffness, abdominal pain, tremors, fever, lethargy, unexplained agitation, and skin damage (e.g., blisters, tissue death, bull’s-eye rash). Depending on your pet’s signs, veterinary treatment can range from hospitalization and life-saving interventions to outpatient therapies such as prescription flea and tick prevention or oral medication.

Bug bite prevention for pets

Although your pet is not immune to insect bites, you can outsmart bugs by providing your four-legged friend with year-round parasite prevention, pet-safe insect repellents, and prompt treatment. In addition, you should practice environmental management strategies (e.g., keeping your lawn mowed short and removing standing water from your yard).

Insects are miniscule menaces that can create big-time discomfort and trigger a dangerous allergic reaction in your furry pal. For more tips on keeping your pet safe from biting and stinging insects, or to get the most effective parasite preventive product for your four-legged friend, contact Billings Animal Family Hospital.