Some pet owners mistakenly believe that their dog is immune to the painful effects of stinging nettles due to the thickness of their pet’s fur. Dogs may appear to be somewhat protected by their coats, but they are nevertheless vulnerable to the painful stings of nettles. Like humans, our animal pals experience pain and irritation when exposed to stinging nettles.
Your dog’s fur can prevent certain scrapes and stings from plants like thorns and nettles, but it doesn’t provide full protection. After all, fur is simply hair, and your dog may still get stung by nettles and experience the same excruciating itching and anguish that us people do. Also, you may see your dog’s skin get red and inflamed, and they may even develop hives.
Because to the lack of a protective outer layer, stinging nettle stings can easily penetrate bare skin on your dog’s tummy or other areas where fur is sparse. The same way that you might get stung on a leg when wearing shorts, your dog can get stung on his or her naked tummy.
As they walk over a patch of nettles, the plant may easily slip between their legs and brush underneath them, and because their stomach is so low to the ground, it is much more at risk.
The pads of your dog’s paws are made of skin, thus they are vulnerable to nettle stings. Dogs’ feet are likely to come into touch with nettles since they are likely to tread on them or wander through them.
To some extent, older dogs are protected against scratches and stings by the hard, calloused pads of their feet; nonetheless, stings on the toe beans will still be painful.
In contrast, treading on a stinging nettle when your paws are still soft and delicate from being a puppy or young dog who hasn’t been walking on streets much may be rather painful!
Dogs of any age or breed are equally susceptible to the painful effects of nettle stings.
Dogs with a double coat of fur could be less likely to be harmed by nettles, as the outer layer of fur serves as protection against abrasions from thorns and brambles. If so, a working dog with a thick double coat, such as a German Wirehaired Pointer, could appear less bothered by stinging nettles than a single-coated dog, such as a Whippet.
The lack of fur on a dog like a Chinese Crested Dog or Xoloitzcuintli makes them more susceptible to stings from nettles. In addition, a rash on one of these dogs is considerably easier to spot because of the improved visibility of the skin.
Cushing’s disease dogs may experience more severe agony from nettle stings than healthy dogs because their skin is thinner.
But, despite having a thick layer of hair to protect their delicate skin, dogs can still be injured by nettles. Stinging nettle stings in dogs have symptoms very comparable to those of human stings.
Certain signs, such as a rash, might be difficult to see on dogs because of their thick coats of fur. Yet, you may discover that your dog is licking and nibbling at its fur more frequently than usual.
More serious symptoms may appear in a dog who has been stung by nettles many times in a short period of time, as opposed to a dog that has only brushed up against one as it went by some bushes.
Rapid breathing, shivering, teeth chattering, weakness, and an elevated heart rate are just some of the symptoms a dog with several stings may experience.
Dogs aren’t known to be poisoned by stinging nettles, and the stings usually only hurt for a few hours. Nevertheless there have been reports of canine poisoning.
Keep in mind that it has only been documented in two canines, both of which were working gundogs that had spent a lot of time dashing through nettles and were thus repeatedly stung by the plants. Veterinarians now aren’t sure of the precise effect of stinging nettle stings on dogs, and more research is necessary.
While we wander around the neighbourhood, our animal friends often snack on grass or other flora they come upon. They may unwittingly consume some nettles when foraging for grass, or they may purposefully seek out and consume stingers.
If you find your dog trying to eat stinging nettles, you should try to distract and lure it away from them. Eating raw stinging nettles is a surefire way to get a sore mouth, but they are full of antioxidants and vitamins and make a healthful component in teas or stews.
It’s possible that your dog may have some discomfort and moderate gastrointestinal disease if it consumes stinging nettles. The symptoms of a dog that has eaten nettles include:
There are a number of skin disorders and annoying parasites that might be the source of your dog’s itching and irritation, so it’s best to take them to the vet for an examination if you’re unsure what’s wrong.
Giving your dog a mild bath after you notice he or she is itching from stinging nettle stings can help remove any stingers that haven’t already been washed away and reduce the severity of the irritation. As soap is alkaline, it will counteract the acid secreted by the stinging nettle and alleviate the irritation.
An additional option is to apply a paste made from baking soda and water on your dog’s stung area. After a few minutes, wash it off your dog thoroughly and make sure he can’t lick it off. Given that baking soda is alkaline, it can relieve the sting in a manner analogous to that of soap.
Your veterinarian may prescribe a pet-safe antihistamine or a soothing lotion for your dog’s skin to alleviate the symptoms of itching, discomfort, and swelling caused by the stings.
However, stinging nettle stings typically only cause dermatitis, and symptoms like hives and discomfort subside within a few hours. Stinging nettle stings can be painful for your dog, but fortunately, they often heal without any more medical attention from a doctor.
Most dogs recover fully within a day from stings from stinging nettles. If you’re concerned, though, or want to know how to ease your dog’s pain, it’s best to consult a veterinarian.
