Cats are considered to be our household’s mainstay, but sometimes threats can be observed when they go outside. One of these is bee stings, and many of us wonder if our furry buddies are vulnerable to them.
If you’ve ever wondered if bees sting cats, the answer is yes. Although bees are typically not aggressive creatures, they will sting any animal that threatens their lives or their hives. However, most bee stings are not fatal to cats.
While many people claim that bees don’t normally travel in groups to attack cats, there are some things you can do to avoid many of these insects before they possibly sting them. Let’s discuss the truth behind cats and their possibilities of getting stung!
Do bees sting cats?
If you’ve ever seen a bee on the loose and wondered if it would sting your cat, the answer is yes. Bees are likely to sting when they feel threatened or trapped, which means that they are more likely to sting a cat than an object or person.
A bee will also sting in defense of its hive if it feels that it or its fellow bees are being threatened. If you see a bee near your cat’s face (or any other body part), it may be trying to ward off an attack from your pet!
Bee stings can be quite painful for cats and dogs as well as humans, so we recommend keeping both pets away from bees whenever possible.
How dangerous is a bee sting to a cat?
If you’ve ever been stung by a bee, you know that it hurts like crazy. That’s why it may be surprising to learn that cats can also get sick from bee stings. And in rare cases, cats can even die from them!
Studies show that cats are not immune to bee stings and therefore should be treated as if they were at risk of anaphylaxis (an extreme allergic reaction). The most common symptom of this condition is swelling around the mouth and face, but symptoms can vary depending on how severe the reaction is.
In some cases, cats have shown signs such as difficulty breathing or walking due to paralysis caused by swelling in their limbs and body areas around where they were stung (especially if multiple parts of their skin were affected).
Some cat owners who have witnessed their pets suffering after being attacked by bees say that they notice their feline friends acting strange before losing consciousness—so keep an eye out for any unusual behavior after taking your kitty outside!
How can you treat a bee sting on a cat?
If you think your cat has been stung by a bee, there are simple steps you can take to help it feel better.
To begin, apply ice to the region of your cat’s body that was stung in order to reduce any swelling and discomfort. You should next provide an antihistamine to your cat if it has swelling in its neck or face as a consequence of being stung.
It is recommended that this be taken orally once every six hours for a period of at least four days after the occurrence (and beyond if symptoms persist).
Last but not least, you should get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible if you notice that your cat is exhibiting any strange behaviors or symptoms in the aftermath of the sting, such as throwing up or diarrhea.
Are cats highly susceptible to bee stings?
Cats are actually less susceptible to bee stings than dogs, which makes sense because cats have a lower body temperature and therefore less metabolism. This means that bees would have a harder time gaining access to their circulatory system and delivering venom.
However, it is possible for a cat to be allergic or hypersensitive to bee venom. This can lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis in some cases.
A bee sting on an animal can be extremely painful, so it’s not uncommon for them to react wildly — especially if they’re scared or defensive (or both).
So how do you know if your pet has been stung? Look out for swelling around the area of impact and watch them closely over the next few hours; if they seem lethargic or develop other symptoms like breathing problems or vomiting, take them into your vet immediately!
What are the symptoms of bee stings on cats?
The symptoms of a cat’s reaction to bee stings are similar to that of a human.
There may be swelling and redness around the area where the sting occurred, as well as pain. The affected cat may become lethargic and irritable, along with experiencing difficulty breathing or even suffering an anaphylactic reaction.
This latter symptom is life threatening and requires immediate medical attention from your veterinarian!
How can you prevent cats from getting bee stings?
Here are some of the most important points to consider in preventing cats from getting those pesky bee stings:
- Keep your cat indoors, especially during the summer months.
- If you have a bee hive, keep it away from flowers and trees that attract bees and pollen.
- If you have plants in the yard, pick up dead flowers to prevent attracting pollinators such as bees to your property.
When planning for springtime activities with your kitty or out in nature with them, be sure to keep these tips in mind so that everyone stays safe!
Conclusion
We hope you now have a better understanding of how dangerous bee stings are for cats. If your cat gets stung by a bee, it’s important to get medical attention for them as quickly as possible.
You should also be aware that the symptoms of bee stings in cats can vary from serious to mild depending on their individual susceptibility to the venomous toxin found in these insects’ bodies.
Since there are so many different types of bees with different behaviors when they attack an intruder such as yourself or another pet like dogs, knowing how to react quickly will save lives!
