Pets and Bee Stings: How to Keep Them Safe

Admin Team

As the weather warms up and flowers bloom, both pets and their owners enjoy spending more time outdoors. However, with the beauty of spring and summer comes the increased activity of bees and other stinging insects. While bees are vital for the ecosystem, they can pose a danger to curious pets who may get a little too close. A bee sting may cause pain, swelling, and, in some cases, serious allergic reactions. So, how do you keep your pet safe from bee stings, and what should you do if they get stung? 

Here’s everything you need to know about pets and bee stings: 


Why Do Pets Get Stung? 

Pets, especially dogs, tend to be curious creatures. They often chase after buzzing insects or paw at them out of curiosity. This behaviour puts them at risk of getting stung, particularly on the face, paws, or mouth. Cats are usually more cautious, but even they can be victims of bee stings if they play with or disturb a bee. 

Signs Your Pet Has Been Stung by a Bee 

Pets can’t tell us they’ve been stung, but there are several signs to watch for, including: 

  • Sudden yelping or pawing at the face or mouth 
  • Swelling, redness, or hives at the sting site 
  • Biting or licking the area where they’ve been stung 
  • Drooling or difficulty swallowing (if stung in the mouth or throat) 
  • Limping if they were stung on the paw 
  • General discomfort or restlessness 

When to See Us 

Most bee stings will heal on their own with minimal care. However, you should seek veterinary attention if: 

  • Your pet has been stung multiple times. 
  • The sting is near their eyes, mouth, or throat. 
  • They show signs of an allergic reaction (swelling of the face, difficulty breathing). 
  • They continue to show pain, limping, or discomfort after 24 hours. 

Preventing Bee Stings in Pets 

While you can’t always prevent your pet from encountering bees, here are a few tips to reduce the risk: 

  • Supervise outdoor play: Keep an eye on your pet when they’re outside, especially around flowering plants where bees may be active. 
  • Avoid areas with high bee activity: Steer clear of places with lots of flowers, gardens, or clover patches when walking your dog. 
  • Teach “leave it”: Training your dog to ignore buzzing insects can help prevent them from chasing or pawing at bees. 
  • Keep food covered: Bees are attracted to sweet treats, so avoid leaving food uncovered during outdoor picnics or barbecues where your pet might explore. 


Bee stings are an unfortunate part of outdoor life, but with some preparation and knowledge, you can help your pet avoid the worst. Always monitor your furry friend when they’re exploring outdoors, and if they do get stung, know the steps to take to keep them comfortable and safe. Remember, if your pet shows signs of an allergic reaction or gets stung multiple times, seek veterinary care immediately. 


With a little care and caution, your pet can enjoy the outdoors safely this spring and summer! 

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Important YVV Update

By Admin Team • February 17, 2026
Sadly, we have had some staff changes recently at Yass Valley Veterinary. After 3 years, Dr Issy Card has taken a small animal position in Canberra. Our recently married Dr Anne Cusack is relocating to Wagga for her husband’s work, and Dr Natalie Flew is also leaving us to work in an emergency afterhours clinic in Canberra with more suitable hours for her new family. We will all miss these three amiable, dedicated and competent veterinarians and wish them well in their future pursuits. Dr Stuart Williams, after almost 33 years at Yass Valley Veterinary (15 years as a partner with Dr Peter Gibbs and 15 years as sole principal), is resigning from his full-time position at the end of February. He is looking forward to having a break away from afterhours on call and managing a large staff across two hospitals. Working as a volunteer veterinarian in Australia and overseas, travelling with his wife Cath and spending some much needed time at home and in the garden, is on the agenda for Stuart in the short term. Dr Tamara Butler, who has been with the business for 17 years, will be promoted to the Lead Vet role when Stuart resigns. Dr Nicole McKenzie will take on the Tamara’s Veterinary Manager role, while Ms Carrie Luckie will retain the Practice Manager role. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and care that each of our departing veterinarians has given to our clients and patients, and their departures will mean a temporary change to our service availability. Be assured that we are actively and enthusiastically recruiting veterinarians to join our team. We’d like to introduce Dr Josh Tannen, a small animal veterinarian & surgeon, who will be with us until April. This experienced and easy-going locum will be very welcome by the team. However, in the short term, we will be operating with a smaller team, so there may be occasions where we are unable to provide the full range of services that are currently provided. What does this mean for you? • At times, we may need to rotate Saturday clinic closures. • There will be evenings or weekends when we do not have an after-hours veterinarian available. We will always do our best to keep you informed. Any changes to opening hours or services will be communicated via our social media pages and through notifications on the Yass Vet App. As always, if you require after-hours assistance when a veterinarian is not available, please call us on 6226 4444. Your call will be answered by a team of qualified nurses who will triage your situation and direct you to the closest appropriate emergency hospital if needed. We truly appreciate your understanding, patience, and ongoing support during this period of transition. Our commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care for your animals remains at the heart of everything we do.