Is Impatiens Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Impatiens spp.
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | No |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | No |
| Toxic to horses | No |
| Toxic component | N/A — non-toxic |
| Onset of symptoms | N/A |
| Indoor / outdoor | both |
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What to do
No treatment is needed. It's a popular shade-bedding annual, so outdoor dogs with access to a planted bed aren't a concern.
Toxic component and mechanism
Impatiens is not known to contain toxic compounds harmful to dogs, cats, or horses.
What makes this plant different
Impatiens is confirmed non-toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA. Its common name Touch-Me-Not comes from its ripe seed pods, which burst open and fling seed several feet the moment they're brushed against — a genuinely startling (and harmless) thing to witness if a dog walks through a patch of them in late summer.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Impatiens spp.
- Family
- Balsaminaceae
- Also known as
- Impatiens, Busy Lizzie, Touch-Me-Not, Patient Lucy
- Typically found
- both
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Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control