If your cat is a busy hunter, it might catch a bee from time to time. Cats have quick reflexes as well as sharp senses on fast-moving things that pique their curiosity. Sometimes your cat will eat the insect whole. Bees don’t exactly belong to their natural diet, but can eating a bee be dangerous?
In Case the Bee Did Not Sting Your Cat
If there is no sting, it should do no harm. Eating a regular wasp, yellow jacket, moth, worm, hornet, butterfly, spider or ladybug, is generally not a problem for cats. These insects are not poisonous and a cat should have no problem digesting them.
The poison that bees have only becomes dangerous if it enters the bloodstream, which happens by stinging, not eating.
However, you must refrain from rushing to the conclusion that your cat is safe after eating a bee. Take a good look at the body of your fluffy friend including the mouth to see if something appears odd.
If The Cat Gets Stung By A Bee
Cats can get allergic reactions when they get stung by bees. It might show signs of swelling, redness, pain in the muscles around the affected area, rapid breathing, vomiting, fatigue, fever and elevated heart rate.
When a cat is experiencing these signs, it’s strongly recommended that you take action as soon as possible. First, remove the sting since it’s going to inject the venom into the body even if it’s disconnected from the bee. Do not squeeze or rub it or try to remove it with your hands. Try using a credit card or dull side of a butter knife to scrape it out.
Then take your cat to the vet clinic immediately. Get him into a carrier in case your cat experiences great discomfort.
Treatments For Bee Sting
Treatments will depend on the severity of the condition. A vet can administer a cat specific treatment to possibly reduce the allergic reaction. Below are conventional treatments for bee sting in cats:
1. Alleviating the Affected Area from Bee Sting
The standard technique to soothe the affected area is to use cold i.e. ice packs or cold towels. If the situation allows, medication could be utilized to reduce the pain of the cat.
2. Preventing Allergic Reaction from Bee Sting
Antihistamine medication can be used in some mild cases. If the situation is more severe, the medications necessary to be administered by vets are corticosteroid drugs, epinephrine and so on.
3. Fixing the Balance of Electrolytes
Following being exposed to the bee venom and the accompanying allergic responses, our beloved cats unavoidably lose electrolytes. To re-establish the equalization of electrolytes, the vets may by giving them IV liquids that will help them re-hydrate.
Remember that even after getting treatment by a vet, there may still be a lingering health risk. Always be mindful of your feline for few days to make sure she recovers smoothly without complications.
Recuperation from a bee sting and safety beasures cat owners can take
Upon the discharge, the vets may give medication to be given to the cat for at least a couple of days. In order to avoid the cat from being stung again you can take the following measures:
1. Keep Your Cat Indoors
The world outside contains a wide range of risks that could endanger the life of your cats. Hence, on the off chance that you genuinely need to guarantee that your cat is protected from danger, do not let them walk freely outside.
2. Install Insect Screen
Even if you have restricted your cat from going out, there may still be insects that come inside? To avoid that, you may set up an insect screen to avoid insects that can harm humans or pets.
3. Use a Bee Repellent
Generally, we should leave insects be since they are only fulfilling their role in nature. But if you need to protect your family and cats one option is use a bee repellent.