Impatiens Are Non-Toxic to Dogs

Are Impatiens Poisonous to Dogs?

If you love to throw in a bust of color in your home, feel free to use Impatiens.

They will not only revolutionize your space but they are safe for your dog as well. This is according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Impatiens basically do not contain any naturally occurring toxic substance like saponin.

This deadly substance contained in many flowers and plants such as Aloe, Asparagus, Emerald, English Ivy, Pokeweed, and Striped Dracaena acts as a defense mechanism for the said flowers.

However, it can wreak havoc on your dog in more ways than one.

Once the dog ingests a plant with saponin, the sugar-bonded molecules will separate and allow toxicity to take effect.

Some exhibit mild symptoms but others can cause severe issues.

Additional Tips

They say too much of something is poisonous. The same principle is true for the ingestion of Impatiens by your dog.

While the plant is harmless to him, you might want to keep a close eye lest he ingests colossal amounts and suffers for it.

 Ideally, if your doggie goes overboard with his little fun activity of chomping on Impatiens or any plant for that matter, stomach upsets are inevitable.

The canine system is not meant to handle a lot of ‘greens’. The effects range from discomfort and pain in the gut to diarrhea and vomiting.

Additionally, if your pup enjoys chomping on the leaves on your Impatiens flower a little too much, she may be trying to pass an important message to you.

Typically, dogs indulge in plants and flowers for the same reason they eat grass. The most common reason is to supplement their diet.

Perhaps they have a nutritional deficiency (mostly fiber) that they are hoping to supplement with the plant.

Sometimes, they are just bored and need something to do. Or, it could be that your fur baby is looking to induce vomiting because of a stomach upset or just loves the taste of the plant.

Either way, you may need to have the vet check on him if he eats massive amounts of the Impatiens.

What Are Impatiens?

If you love houseplants, you have probably welcomed Impatiens in your home already.

This is an incredibly beautiful annual that can be used as a summer bedding, houseplant, or container flower.

It is also known as ‘Buzy Lizzie’, a Latin word that details the manner in which the seeds sprout out of the pods when they reach maturity.

Impatiens are everyone’s favorite, thanks to their bright blooms and their innate ability to thrive in shady areas.

They come from the Balsam family of plants with pastels of different colors such as white, pink, red, yellow, purple, coral, and violet.

This flower is quite interesting as the seed pod can burst open and pour its seeds even with the slightest touch.

That’s how they get the name ‘Impatiens’ which is basically Latin for impatient. It’s as if the flower cannot wait to splatter its seeds.