We found this strange bug in our house after my dog suddenly yelped and started licking his paw.

At first we thought he had stepped on something sharp, but then we noticed the insect crawling across the floor. It looked unusual — long body, dark color, thin legs — nothing like the bugs we normally see inside our home.

Concerned, we carefully picked it up and took a photo.

Within minutes my dog’s paw began to swell slightly where the bite happened. He wasn’t acting sick, but he was clearly uncomfortable and kept trying to lick the spot.

That’s when we started wondering if the insect might actually be dangerous.

After searching online and contacting a local pest expert, we finally learned what it was.

Thankfully, while the bite can be painful for pets, it usually isn’t deadly if treated quickly.

After cleaning the area and monitoring him overnight, our dog recovered.

But the experience reminded us how important it is to know what kind of insects might be hiding inside our homes.