Urgent — same day vet contact Within hours

Dog stung by a jellyfish on UK beaches

Rinse with sea water (not fresh), remove visible tentacles with a stick or gloved hand, and phone the vet — UK jellyfish stings vary, with lion's mane the most painful.

Dog

Recognise the signs

Sudden yelp on beach
Visible welt or tentacle on skin
Pawing, licking
Drooling if mouthed
Rarely systemic effects (collapse, breathing difficulty)

First aid steps

Restrain calmly.
Remove visible tentacles with a stick or gloved hand — do NOT rub.
Rinse with sea water (not fresh — fresh water can trigger more sting cells).
Phone the vet, particularly if the dog mouthed the jellyfish or seems systemically unwell.

Do NOT

Do not rinse with fresh water at the beach (worsens sting).
Do not rub the area.
Do not apply vinegar without vet advice — recommendations vary by jellyfish species.
Do not let the dog continue to lick.

When to phone the vet immediately

Mouth or throat sting
Difficulty breathing
Multiple stings
Allergic reaction

Signs that can usually wait for a routine appointment

Mild localised welt with no distress in a bright dog usually settles.

Common causes

Beach walks, especially late summer when jellyfish wash up
Lion's mane, compass, moon, and barrel jellyfish in UK waters

What the vet will need to know

Beach and type of jellyfish if known
Time of sting
Where on body

Aftercare

Pain relief, antihistamines as advised.
Watch for delayed allergic reactions.
Avoid the beach during jellyfish season.

Prevention

Avoid beaches with jellyfish warnings.
On lead near washed-up jellies.

Frequently asked questions

Is fresh or sea water better?

Sea water — fresh water triggers more sting cells. Vinegar is debated by species; check with the vet rather than self-treating.

Can UK jellyfish kill dogs?

Very rarely. Lion's mane is most painful, but fatal reactions are uncommon.

What about washed-up jellies on the beach?

Stinging cells remain active for hours. Keep dogs away from beach jellies even if dead.