There are an estimated 60 million pet dogs and 70 million pet cats in the United States alone. Most pet owners are aware of the more common toxic substances such as antifreeze, rat poison and insecticides, but what about the more common household items?

Toxins can take on many forms and in most cases it doesn't take a whole lot to cause illness. It is up to the owner to become educated about what pets can eat or be around, and what to do in the event a pet gets into something he shouldn't have.

Some animals will eat anything, even if it doesn't smell good, so keep toxins out of reach, just like you do with children.

Extreme exposure to poison can result in intestinal, renal (kidney), neurological or respiratory damage. Symptoms can include extreme vomiting, diarrhea, acting lethargic, seeming pain or just not acting right.

If your animal obtained some of these toxins, especially antifreeze or rat poisoning, immediately contact your vet...

Time does matter. It is better to at least immediately call the vet and explain the situation, it is better to be safe than sorry

Be aware of these poison-prevention tips from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:

• Be cautious of plants in the home and yard. The ingestion of azalea, oleander, castor bean, sago palm, Easter lily (in cats only), or yew plant material by an animal can be fatal.
• Never allow your pets to have access to the areas in which cleaning agents are used or stored. Cleaning agents have a variety of properties. Some may only cause mild stomach upset, but others can cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth and stomach.
• Store all cleaners, pesticides and medications in secured areas.
• Keep all prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of your pets' reach, preferably in closed cabinets. Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, antidepressants, vitamins and diet pills are all examples of human medications that can be lethal to animals, even in small doses.
• Food items that potentially could be dangerous to pets include onions, onion powder, chocolate, alcoholic beverages, yeast dough, coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate-covered espresso beans), tea (caffeine), salt, macadamia nuts, hops (used in home beer brewing), tomato leaves and stems (green parts), rhubarb leaves, avocados (toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle and dairy goats), cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco, and moldy or spoiled foods.
• Automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze should be stored in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a cat; less than one tablespoon can be lethal to a 20-pound dog.

If a product is for use only on dogs, it should never be used on cats. If a product is only for use on cats, it should never be used on dogs.

Make sure your companion animals do not enter areas in which insecticidal foggers or house sprays have been applied for the period of time indicated on the label.