The old adage, curiosity killed the cat, actually has an element of truth. Cats are nosy creatures, sniffing at anything of interest. Since cats find insects interesting, they sniff at them, and if they stick their nose where it does not belong, they may get a quick reprimand that could be fatal.
Insects resent the intrusion of nosy cats, so they bite the closest part of the body, making eyes, ears, and feet easy targets. When a cat steps on an anthill or disturbs a wasp nest or hive, the insects can swarm and sting all over the cat’s body. spiders are loners that do not swarm, but even a spider bite can be unpleasant.
Bee, wasp, and hornet stings, and ant and spider bites are all problems for cats. Insect venom causes problems ranging from mild irritation to life-threatening shock. observant pet owners can minimize the reaction by taking immediate action. keep in mind that although first aid begins at home, severe cases require immediate medical attention.
what should I do if my cat is bitten by an insect?
be quick to recognize that your cat has been bitten or stung. If your cat suddenly paws at her face, bites her foot, or begins to swell in any area of her body, consider the possibility of an insect bite.
identify the insect. Quickly search the area for flying and crawling insects. since a spider is hard to identify and can be poisonous, capture it if you can.
in case of bee stings, look for a stinger. bees are the only insects that leave their stingers on their victims. these abandoned stingers continue to secrete venom, so removing them reduces the amount of toxin injected into the cat’s body. If the stinger is still attached to the cat, remove it by running a credit card through your cat’s fur and pulling it out. do not use tweezers that may squeeze more venom out of the sting sac. luckily, other flying insects (wasps, hornets) don’t even leave a sting.
Soothes the bite site. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply to the bite site. if your cat has multiple stings or bites, a soothing oatmeal bath is the way to go.
minimize swelling. apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. a bag of frozen peas makes a handy ice pack for individual bites. a cold towel works best for larger areas.
prevent allergic reactions. give a dose of an oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (brand names: benadryl®, vetadryl®) to minimize the reaction and decrease itching. consult your vet first for proper dosage.
reduces the trauma of scratching. use an Elizabethan collar (cone) if your cat continues to lick or scratch the bite wound. constant scratching will delay healing and may cause an infection.
maintain hydration and food intake. give your cat fresh water to drink. cats that are stung in the mouth may have difficulty eating, so feed them moist food. dry foods softened with water are less likely to upset the GI tract than canned foods.
When is an insect bite serious?
Like some people, many cats are hypersensitive (highly allergic) to insect bites or stings. the degree of reaction varies depending on the cat’s immune system and the type of insect. allergic reactions usually occur within 20 minutes of being stung, but can be delayed for hours, so close monitoring is essential. severe reactions (anaphylaxis) can be fatal, so it is vital to act quickly. take your cat to the veterinary emergency clinic at the first sign of:
- severe swelling around the head and neck that could compromise breathing. swelling in these areas can occur even if the bite occurred elsewhere.
- hives anywhere on the body. hives appear as bumps under the skin that raise hair, or as red bumps on hairless areas like the belly. Hives are very itchy, so your cat may roll around in the grass or on the ground in an attempt to scratch at hard-to-reach itchy places.
- difficulty breathing or wheezing. cats generally do not breathe through their mouths, so if your cat begins to pant, call your vet.
- excessive drooling. if there is swelling in the throat, your cat has difficulty swallowing its own saliva and drools a lot.
- agitation. some cats become anxious due to itching and difficulty breathing. In addition, the insect’s venom can affect the nervous system.
- vomiting or diarrhea. even mild vomiting and loose stools can indicate trouble, so don’t ignore this sign.
- dizziness or disorientation. if your cat is not alert or stumbles, he is having a greater than normal reaction.
- seizures. call your vet immediately.
Medical treatment can save your cat’s life and is aimed at reducing the allergic reaction and preventing shock. In addition to antihistamines, your vet may give your cat corticosteroids or epinephrine. Your vet may administer intravenous (IV) fluids to stabilize your cat and oxygen to aid breathing. blood and urine tests may be needed to rule out organ damage. The length of the hospital stay depends on how quickly your kitty responds to therapy, but expect to leave your cat in the hospital for 1-2 days. Once the danger has passed and your cat returns home, your vet may prescribe an epi-pen® to use for future insect bites. the goal here is not to stifle your cat’s curious nature, but to be prepared for the consequences. that means you need to act quickly in case he reacts to an insect bite.
