The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy gives the following tips to help keep pets safe from accidental poisonings.

Never leave toxic products where your pets may drink or eat them. Keep out of reach all household cleaning products, insecticides, fertilizers or other lawn care products. Discard empty containers safely in a place where your pet will not play with them.

• Gasoline, cleaning solvents and antifreeze are poisonous. Clean up spills and do not leave these liquids in a bowl or jar that a pet can drink from. Antifreeze is especially dangerous, as it tastes sweet, and even a small amount can be fatal. Always clean up spills.

• Pets will often eat a pill that has been dropped on the floor or knock over a bottle of pills left where they can reach it. Always pick up dropped pills quickly. Do not allow pets to play with pills. Most pain medications such as aspirin or Tylenol can be deadly to cats and harmful to dogs. Always check with your vet before you give your pet any medicine for pain.

• Know what plants are in your house. Many young pets play with house plants and may eat them. Unfortunately many house plants are poisonous and you may want to remove or secure plants that are especially dangerous. Any plant treated with an insecticide is treated with a substance that may be poisonous to the pet.

• Flea and tick sprays, shampoos, collars and dusts contain insecticides and should be used cautiously. If your pet becomes confused or does not act normally, discontinue the use of the product, rinse the animal well in clean water and call your veterinarian.

• Many poisons made to kill mice or rats smell and or taste good to pets. Always place these products where your pet cannot get to them. If they are poisonous to mice, they are probably poisonous to your pet.

• Pets will chew on almost anything. Give them safe pet toys to chew and play with. This not only helps to entertain us and the pets but also keeps them busy so they don't chew on toxic plants or other things they should not have.

• Do not allow or encourage your pet to drink alcohol, which may have very dangerous effects.

• Many plants found in and around the house are dangerous to pets that play with or eat them.

• Remove any plant parts remaining in the mouth and attempt to rinse around the mouth with water. Do not use a forceful stream from the hose directed at the back of the mouth as you may force water into the animal's lungs. Allow the animal to drink a small amount of water (one glass).

• Look for changes in the skin around the mouth, eyes or paws, such as swelling, reddening or blisters.

• Watch for excessive or foamy salivation.

• Identify the plant your pet ate.

• Call the poison center or veterinarian.

• Always take the suspected plant or remaining parts of the plant with you if going to the veterinarian's office or an emergency clinic.

• Never try to induce vomiting by sticking your finger down your pet's throat.

Many foods that are fine for people are not safe for dogs.

• Raisins and grapes can cause vomiting, diarrhea and kidney failure in dogs; the minimum amount that is safe is unknown, so keep these foods away from your pet.

• Chocolate is toxic to canines; the darker the chocolate, the more harmful. Eating chocolate can cause a dog to experience excitement, increased urination, muscle tremor seizures and rapid heart rate.

• Sugarless gums and candies with the sugar alcohol called xylitol can cause a rapid drop in your dog's blood sugar.

• Onions have a chemical that damages blood cells and can cause anemia in dogs. Even one small whole onion can cause death.

• Macadamia nuts have a compound that can temporarily paralyze a dog's hind legs. The dog will recover with no treatment and no long-term effects.