Martha Stewart: Want safe dogs and cats? Use these tips

CERTAIN household items are dangerous - or even fatal - to cats and dogs. Accidents can occur no matter how careful you are. Be prepared with contact information for your veterinarian, the nearest animal emergency room, and, in the U.S., the 24-hour ASPCA Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435). Here are several common hazards, as well as strategies for pet-proofing your home.

Pets love the sweet taste of antifreeze (ethylene glycol). Yet just a teaspoon will kill a 10-pound cat; one to two tablespoons are lethal to a 10-pound dog. If your pet ingests any, it may seem wobbly and unsteady, as well as nauseated and unusually thirsty. Get it to the vet immediately - an antidote must be given within 12 hours, but sooner is better. Of course, never let your pet near antifreeze, and if you spill some, clean it up right away and discard all paper towels and rags. You can use a less toxic form of antifreeze, propylene glycol. But even this is poisonous in large quantities.

People food, that is. Don't cave in to those adorable eyes when your pet is begging. Chocolate, for example, contains a substance called theobromine, along with caffeine, which makes it toxic to dogs and cats. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, and seizures. Pets also shouldn't eat macadamia nuts, raw or undercooked meat, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chives or rising bread dough.

Pets that dig into the trash may find objects, such as bones, corncobs and broken glass, that can obstruct and tear the intestines. Moldy foods contain toxins that can cause muscle tremors and convulsions. Buy trash cans with tight lids, or keep them behind closed doors.

Toilet-bowl cleaner has caustic chemicals that burn the mouth and esophageal lining. Flush the toilet multiple times after cleaning, and close the lid. Exposure to bleach and other harsh products can cause gastrointestinal distress, skin irritation and respiratory problems. Switch to nontoxic cleaners.

Cats in particular like nibbling on plants, but some are toxic. Ingesting even small amounts of Easter lilies, for instance, can cause kidney failure in cats. Other dangerous plants include mistletoe, oleander, English ivy and tulip and narcissus bulbs. You can apply a deterrent to the plants, such as a bitter apple spray, but it's safer to remove them from the house. For a list of safe and unsafe plants, visit aspca.org/

pet-care/poison-control/plants.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications for people top the list of pet poisons. Not only do animals snatch pills from counters and nightstands, but they're also quick to lap up medications dropped on the floor. The most dangerous ones are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), antidepressants, acetaminophen, methylphenidate, fluorouracil, isoniazid, pseudoephedrine (a decongestant), antidiabetics, vitamin D derivatives and baclofen. Always keep medications in places that cats and dogs can't access.

Soap appeals to some pets, but the fats it contains could cause pancreatitis. Eating soap can also trigger vomiting and diarrhea. And scented versions may irritate the esophagus and mouth.

Toys

Small parts in children's playthings can pose choking hazards and cause intestinal blockage. But pet toys can also be hazardous. Be aware of how your pet plays - for instance, some dogs baby their stuffed animals, while others tear them apart and eat them. When you give your dog a new toy, supervise the first play sessions. If plush objects are problematic, give the dog tougher toys.

Found in candies, gum, baked goods and toothpaste, this sweetener can cause an insulin surge, lowering blood sugar enough to cause weakness, vomiting and loss of coordination. It could even lead to liver failure. Any exposure can cause problems, but the more your pet consumes, the more severe the issues will be.

Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 601 W. 26th St., 9th floor, New York, N.Y. 10001 or by e-mail to:

mslletters@marthastewart.com. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number.