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Caution

Fire ant stings and dogs: what to do

Caution. Fire ant stings cause itchy red bumps that usually fade within a day, but many stings, or stings near the eyes, need a vet.

If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now

United States

ASPCA Poison Control+1 (888) 426-443524/7, 365 days a year · A consultation fee may apply · Run by the ASPCA for pet owners and vets.
Pet Poison Helpline+1 (855) 764-766124/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

Poison lines in other countries: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, JM, PR, Singapore, Switzerland, TT, VI

United Kingdom

Animal PoisonLine+44 1202 50900024 hours a day · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service for pet owners; for collapse, fits or breathing trouble, call your vet.

Canada

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (855) 764-766124/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

Australia

Animal Poisons Helpline1300 869 73824/7 · From A$79 per consultation; their website has the current price · Staffed by poisons information consultants with emergency vet or pharmacy backgrounds.

New Zealand

NZ Animal Poisons Helpline0800 869 73824/7 · Charges apply · The NZ National Poisons Centre does not advise on animals and refers pet owners here.

Belgium

Centre Antipoisons / Antigifcentrum070 245 245Animal questions: weekdays 8:00 to 16:00; weekends and public holidays 10:00 to 16:00 · Free call · Human poison center that also takes animal questions; human emergencies get priority, so call your vet first.

France

CNITV (Centre National d'Informations Toxicologiques Vétérinaires)+33 4 78 87 10 408:30 am to midnight, every day · Veterinary poison center that answers vets and pet owners; call your own vet first if you can.

JM

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (952) 853-171624/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean. This is the number it gives for other Caribbean islands; it also lists a toll-free number for the Caribbean, +1 (877) 416-7319.

PR

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (877) 416-731924/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean; this is its toll-free number for callers in the Caribbean and the US Virgin Islands.

Singapore

Animal Poisons Helpline+65 3106 421624/7 · Ask about the fee when you call · Australia-based animal poison service; this is the Singapore number listed on its site.

Switzerland

Tox Info Suisse14524/7 · Swiss poison center that also tells owners how risky an animal exposure is; from abroad call +41 44 251 51 51.

TT

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (952) 853-171624/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean. This is the number it gives for other Caribbean islands; it also lists a toll-free number for the Caribbean, +1 (877) 416-7319.

VI

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (877) 416-731924/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean; this is its toll-free number for callers in the Caribbean and the US Virgin Islands.

Find an emergency vet

Fire ant stings and dogs: key facts

Verdict: Caution · Call your vet or a poison line
What it can do: Red, itchy bumps, swelling and redness, often on the muzzle, chin or feet, scratching at the stung skin, low energy and eye injury if stung near the eyes. All 6
What to do now: Call your vet or a pet poison line now. All steps
Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual, Pet Poison Helpline. Reviewed 9 October 2026.

What to do now

Call your vet or a pet poison line now.
Move your dog away from the ant mound.
Go to a vet right away if your dog has face or throat swelling or trouble breathing.
Watch the stung skin over the next days for more swelling, itching or infection.

Don't

Don't use fire ant killer where your dog can reach it; some contain an organophosphate that can be life-threatening if eaten.

Symptoms to watch for

Red, itchy bumps
Swelling and redness, often on the muzzle, chin or feet
Scratching at the stung skin
Low energy
Eye injury if stung near the eyes
Skin infection (later)

Why

Fire ants swarm out when their mound is disturbed, and each ant can sting many times. Their venom damages skin cells.

Sources

Guide reviewed 9 October 2026. Page updated 7 November 2026.

General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.