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Some dogs enjoy chasing bees whenever they see them, and some even try to eat them only to get stung.
It is not such a good scene to see your dog looking swollen because of a bee sting.
Sadly, some dogs never learn from being stung, even if it happens to them.
Instead, they continue chasing the bees even more vigorously.
However, some dogs learn their lesson and start being phobic of bees and other small flying creatures.
This may even lead to the development of obsessive-compulsive disorders (fly snapping).
This makes the dog snap at imaginary flies and hallucinates they are there while they aren’t.
The main causes of fly snapping are genetic factors, digestive problems that cause the dog to snap on its sides rather than upwards, and seizure-related problems.
Early behavioral intervention, on the other hand, can prevent this.
Major Reasons Why Dogs Are Obsessed With Bees
Annoying Bees Buzz
In the same way, bees may easily attract dogs, wasps also play a big role in that.
For us humans, it is easy to stay away from these dangerous insects.
This is because we know they are harmful and their stings are the worst.
However, dogs see them as playmates and instead try to entertain them unknowingly ending up on the losing end.
The bees’ buzzing is annoying and this is a major trigger to dogs and greatly impacts their reaction.
The hovering bee buzzing around their ears might pique the interest of and annoy other dogs.
As your dog tries to find some peace, it might be trying to eat the bee to make it go away or it might accidentally swallow it.
Genetic Behavior
Dog’s genetic behavior may cause his obsession with bees.
This is what causes them to run after other animals, including flies.
It can also be a result of a strong emotional response because of a previous encounter with a bee/fly that stung.
Genes are really strong and helping the dog to divert requires serious intervention.
Fear
There are two sides to the coin, one bite can cause swelling around the mouth area and a lifelong phobia in your dog.
This will make it shut down and tremble make it be in panic and always run away when in contact with flying insects.
The second side of the coin is that it can get bitten and change for good.
They might become hostile and start chasing the bees around more aggressively as a result.
This makes the dog always chase after the bees or wasps for revenge.
Pleasure In Eating Bees
Occasionally, dogs will chase after bees just for fun.
The fact that bees move is one of the main reasons dogs try to eat them.
Any dog with a high prey drive, including herding dogs, hunting dogs, and hunting dogs, has the urge to chase and catch moving objects.
For this reason, they frequently lunge and snap at bees.
It could be an accident from them playing; they might not be trying to swallow them or eat them.
At times the dogs may be so fast and get pleasure while eating the bees as a whole, which is risky.
The bee can easily sting the dog on the tongue or even affect the esophagus, threatening the digestive system.
The throat of the dog may quickly swell and become life-threatening if it is stung in the oral cavity.
How To Help Your Dog Who Is Obsessed With Bees?
Be Mindful Of Flowers Around Your Home
The easiest thing is to try to ensure bees don’t come to your compound so often.
I know it is hard if you have all kinds of flowers and vegetation around your home.
However, if it is greatly affecting your dog’s behavior you may opt to reduce them.
Also, instead of completely getting rid of all flowers, get some that will repel the insects such as marigolds, mint, and cucumber.
Use A Non-toxic Bee Repellant
Consider using an insect killer or repellent that is also effective against other insects.
In addition to bees, you might want to use a repellent to ward off mosquitoes, flies, yellow jackets, wasps, and other insects.
You can also opt to make a non-toxic bee and wasp repellant which you may then spray on various surfaces to keep away harmful flying insects.
This will help to reduce the dog’s urge to disturb the bees.
The most prevalent areas are window seals and door frames. Also, spray on all outdoor surfaces.
However, you need to be careful about the repellant you are using.
Some may be harmful to your dog and even cause allergies.
Also, it’s possible that even dog-safe insect repellents could harm your lawn and plants inadvertently.
Make sure any product you purchase for your home won’t have any unintended consequences for your family or your home before making the purchase.
Happy Bee-behavior
You can also try to divert the dog’s attention from such harmful chasing to running after a ball, laying on a mat, or other favorable actions.
Choose one that your dog will love. If the dog already has one that he/she loves ensure she/he continues doing it more often.
You should first learn to train it in the absence of the bees and it will be fun.
With the success of that, change the environment for the dog to continue with the action.
When you feel the dog is ready, you may then lead it to a place where there are frequent buzzes and see how the dog will react.
You may then trigger the dog to do the happy behavior he/she loves and this will help till you see the bee is not a destruction.
Be careful in case of tables turn and be patient with your dog.
Conclusion
Remember that it may take a while before your dog finally agrees to stop chasing bees or keep on.
Ensure you are patient and do what matters most, the obsession is normal and you shouldn’t punish the dog at all.
If the situation is too much, you might as well decide to ask a professional for assistance.
Also, be careful and be keen on these indicators if you suspect your dog has been stung: whining, yelping, drooling, swelling, or hives.
This easily causes trouble while breathing, weakness, or even vomiting.
Purrfect n’ Pawesome is the brainchild of Amanda, who has been into researching and writing about pets to help other pet parents in nurturing their adorable pets. Currently, she runs Purrfect n’ Pawesome along with her team of experienced and dedicated pet experts. Along with being an awesome writer and entrepreneur, Amanda is a cat mom to two innocently spoiled cats, Balanca and Scruffy.
She has been writing about pet care and nurturing and wants to share her readers’ experiences, learnings, and knowledge.
Over the years, she had the opportunity to work with various pet owners having multiple breeds, and that exposure gave her experience and the lessons of a lifetime.
Her family, her entire universe revolves around her two cats, who give her endless support and inspiration to move ahead with her objectives in life. Amanda is a live example of a balanced approach to all parenthood questions we all face in life.