Are impatiens toxic to dogs? Are impatiens poisonous to dogs? In this article, we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about the question are impatiens safe for dogs, including what to do if your dog ate impatiens already. We’ll then teach you the two commands that will ensure your dog behaves around impatiens and other plants from now on.

Next, we’re going to cover more things you should know about impatiens and dogs by telling you how to keep dogs away from impatiens (and other possibly poisonous plants) using barriers and other methods. Finally, we’ll wrap up by instructing you on how to grow impatiens when you have dogs in the home. Keep reading!

Are Impatiens Toxic to Dogs?

Impatiens are not toxic to dogs. However, it is always a good practice to discourage your dog from eating any kind of plant, as ingesting non-food items could potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset or other health concerns. It also prevents them from making a habit out of eating plants, some of which are harmful to dogs.

Are Impatiens Poisonous to Dogs?

Impatiens are not poisonous to dogs. That being said, even non-toxic plants may cause gastrointestinal discomfort in dogs if ingested, especially in large amounts. Symptoms might include vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite.

If your dog shows any of these symptoms after ingesting impatiens, consult your vet for advice.

Train the “Leave It” Command

The “Leave It” command can be incredibly beneficial for keeping dogs safe from potentially harmful substances or situations. Training your dog with this command helps in teaching them to ignore or walk away from items you don’t want them to have, including impatiens.

1. Show your dog a treat in your hand.
2. Say “leave it”.
3. The moment your dog stops trying to get the treat and pulls away, praise them and give them a different treat. This teaches your dog that leaving things alone has positive outcomes.

Train the “Drop It” Command

Just like the “Leave It” command, the “Drop It” command is a crucial part of a dog’s safety training. This command is used when your dog already has something in their mouth that you want them to let go of, such as a piece of an impatiens plant.

1. Play a game of tug with a toy.
2. When you want your dog to drop the toy, say “drop it”.
3. Offer a treat or a more desirable toy.
4. When they open their mouth, praise them and give them the reward. This helps them associate the command with a positive action.

While impatiens are not toxic to dogs, it’s always best to prevent your dog from eating any plant material. These commands will get your dog to stop eating impatiens, but it’s important to remember that the underlying behavioral issues (curiosity, anxiety, boredom, etc.) that were causing all of this to begin with will still be present.

And until you address those, any positive changes you see are only going to be temporary.

“Well, how do I make these changes last?”

By getting your dog to truly choose to follow your direction, that’s how. I tried many times to write out how you can do that before deciding it made more sense to just link you to the free video series that explains it better than I’d ever be able to.

The series is by a man named Dan who is one of the world’s leading dog obedience trainers. In it, he teaches you how to put an end to things like your dog eating impatiens and all other misbehavior using his fast and easy-to-follow methods.

In the first video, Dan will reveal to you why the two most common methods of dog training only doom you to failure. You can watch the video now by clicking here. Follow the proven system he’ll show you in his series and you’ll never have to spend another second worrying about your dog eating impatiens ever again!

Are Impatiens Safe for Dogs?

Impatiens are safe for dogs and are not toxic to them. However, it’s important still to prevent your dog from eating any plant material, including impatiens, as it could potentially cause gastrointestinal upset.

What to Do if Dog Eats Impatiens

If your dog eats impatiens, don’t panic. Since impatiens are not toxic to dogs, they’re unlikely to cause serious harm. However, the ingestion of any plant can potentially lead to minor gastrointestinal discomfort in some dogs.

Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, and a decreased appetite. If your dog shows these signs after eating impatiens, you should consult your veterinarian for further guidance.

Dog Eating Impatiens Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure, especially when it comes to dogs and their curious appetites. Encourage your dog to play in areas away from where impatiens and other plants are grown. Alternatively, you could create a barrier around your impatiens or any other plants to physically prevent your dog from reaching them.

Training Commands for Safety

Training your dog with safety commands like “Leave It” and “Drop It” can be instrumental in preventing them from ingesting non-food items. Learn both now in the first section. These commands are particularly useful when you notice your dog showing interest in impatiens or other plants.

In conclusion, while impatiens are not toxic to dogs, it’s always best to discourage them from eating any plant material to prevent potential gastrointestinal discomfort. Be proactive in supervising your pet’s outdoor activities and train them to follow safety commands.

If your dog shows any signs of illness after consuming impatiens, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet.

You should start addressing this issue with your dog right away because doing so will also keep them safe from other plants that could be harmful. You then won’t have to think about things like are SunPatiens toxic to dogs, are New Guinea Impatiens toxic to dogs, are geraniums safe for dogs, or is alyssum poisonous to dogs.

Impatiens and Dogs

Impatiens are not toxic to dogs, but it’s best to discourage dogs from eating these or any other plants, as they can potentially cause gastrointestinal upset. Let’s explore how you can keep your dogs away from impatiens and other helpful strategies to protect both your dog and your garden.

How to Keep Dogs Away From Impatiens

Keeping dogs away from impatiens can be achieved by creating physical barriers. Fencing around your impatiens garden or the use of plant cages can deter your pet from getting too close. This will not only prevent your dog from ingesting the plant but also protect your impatiens from potential damage caused by an excited or curious dog.

Training Commands to Discourage Ingestion

Training your dog with key commands like “Leave It” or “Drop It” can be a great deterrent for unwanted behaviors such as eating plants. You can learn both in the first section now. Regular training sessions will help your dog understand these commands and ensure they follow them, even when tempted by a plant like impatiens.

Safe Alternatives to Impatiens

Another strategy is to provide safer alternatives to your dog. If your dog seems attracted to impatiens due to their bright colors or smell, consider getting dog-friendly plants or toys with similar appeals. This diversion tactic can keep your dog entertained while keeping them away from your impatiens.

To conclude, while impatiens are not toxic to dogs, it’s a good practice to keep your pet away from them and other plants. Using barriers, training commands (learn how in the first section), and providing safer alternatives are all effective methods in achieving this.

However, if your dog still manages to consume impatiens or any other plant, monitor for any signs of gastrointestinal upset and consult with a vet if any worrisome symptoms appear.

How to Grow Impatiens

Growing impatiens involves several key steps: choosing a location with partial to full shade, planting in rich, well-drained soil, maintaining consistent moisture, and applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. These vibrant and diverse flowers are perfect for adding a pop of color to shady areas in your garden or containers.

1. Choosing a Location: Impatiens prefer partial to full shade, making them an exceptional choice for those less sunny areas in your garden. They have the ability to flourish under the cover of large trees or in the shadow of buildings. Although they are shade-loving plants, they can tolerate some morning sunlight, but they need protection from the harsh and intense afternoon heat to prevent scorching their delicate leaves.
2. Planting: When it comes to planting impatiens, whether you’re starting with seeds or transplants, the soil is critical. They thrive best in a rich, well-drained soil that is filled with organic matter. For seeds, you’ll want to sow them directly on the soil surface without covering them because they require light to germinate effectively. When planting transplants, dig a hole that’s the same depth as the pot they were growing in and twice as wide. Then, gently place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil, pressing down firmly to eliminate any air pockets.
3. Watering: Impatiens need consistent moisture in the soil to thrive. This doesn’t mean that the soil should be waterlogged, but it should be kept sufficiently damp. Remember, impatiens are not drought-tolerant plants, so regular watering is essential to their successful growth. However, be mindful to avoid overwatering because this can lead to root diseases, which can damage or even kill your plants. Make sure your watering routine provides a good soak while allowing excess water to drain away.
4. Feeding: To give your impatiens a solid start, use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting. This will not only nourish the plants, but it will also promote growth and flowering. Even with this initial boost, if your impatiens start to look a little lackluster during the growing season, don’t hesitate to give them a second application of fertilizer to perk them up and maintain vibrant blooms.

Impatiens are a versatile and colorful addition to any garden. They’re excellent for filling in bare spots in garden beds, brightening up shady corners, or adding color to containers. With the proper care and attention, these hardy plants can provide a constant display of color from spring through the first frost.

Learn to keep your dog away from impatiens and other plants by going back to the first section.

I’m sure you’re eager to take care of this so that your impatiens and dogs can grow together, so I’ll let you get started now. Good luck with everything, and thanks for reading our article “Are Impatiens Toxic to Dogs? Are Impatiens Poisonous to Dogs?”