A number of human foods are dangerous to pets. Many of these foods may seem tasty to our pets but can prove deadly if eaten. It can be very tempting to offer pets food from the table, but pets should not be given human food unless recommended by your veterinarian.
If you suspect your pet may have eaten a dangerous food, contact your veterinarian immediately. In many cases, early recognition and treatment are critical.
Chocolate, Coffee, and Caffeine
Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that is toxic to dogs in large enough quantities. Chocolate also contains caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, and certain soft drinks. Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine and caffeine. For example, dark chocolate and baking chocolate contain more of these compounds than milk chocolate does, so a dog would need to eat more milk chocolate in order to become ill. However, even a few ounces of chocolate can be enough to cause illness in a small dog, so no amount or type of chocolate should be considered “safe” for a dog to eat. Chocolate toxicity can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid or irregular heart rate, restlessness, muscle tremors, and seizures. Death can occur within 24 hours of ingestion.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can cause acute (sudden) kidney failure in cats and dogs. It is unknown what the toxic agent is in these fruits. However, clinical signs can occur within 24 hours of eating and include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy (tiredness). Other signs of illness relate to the eventual shutdown of kidney functioning.
Garlic and Onions
Garlic and onions contain chemicals that damage red blood cells in cats and dogs. Affected red blood cells can rupture or lose their ability to carry oxygen effectively. Cooking these foods does not reduce their potential toxicity. Fresh, cooked, and/or powdered garlic and/or onions are commonly found in baby food, which is sometimes given to animals when they are sick, so be sure to read food labels carefully.
Many cases of human food toxicity in pets are accidental. A pet may find and chew on a package of gum or candy, or steal food from a countertop or table. The best way to prevent this is to keep all food items in closed cabinets or in areas that are inaccessible to pets. This may be particularly difficult during the holiday season, when more candy, chocolate, fruit baskets, and other food items are around. During these times, increased vigilance can help prevent pets from finding and eating dangerous foods.
Children should also be taught to never give candy, gum, or other human food items to pets.
有些适合人类吃的食物对宠物是有害的。这些食物味道可口，但是宠物吃了以后可能会死亡。人类餐桌上有各种各样充满诱惑的食物，但是给宠物吃之前，最好询问一下兽医。
如果你发现你的宠物可能吃了一种危险的食物，赶紧联系兽医，很多情况下，早发现和早治疗是至关重要的。
巧克力和咖啡
巧克力包含了可可碱，这种化学物质达到一定数量后，会使得狗狗中毒。巧克力同时还包含了咖啡因，在咖啡、茶和某些不含酒精的饮料中都含有咖啡因。不同种类的巧克力包含了不同数量的可可碱和咖啡因。比如说：深色咖啡和烘焙巧克力包含了比牛奶巧克力更多的可可碱和咖啡因。
一只成年大狗可能要吃下很多牛奶巧克力才会患病，然而对于一只小狗来说，一点点的可可碱或者咖啡因都是异常危险的。
葡萄和葡萄干
葡萄和葡萄干会引起猫和狗的肾功能衰竭。这些水果中的有毒成分目前还不得而知，但24小时临床表现包括呕吐，腹泻，无力和肾功能衰竭等。
大蒜和洋葱
大蒜和洋葱包含了能够破坏猫狗身上红细胞的化学物质，受此影响的红细胞会减弱甚至失去输氧功能。煮过后也不能有效降低内部毒性。新鲜的，煮过的大蒜或者洋葱不能作为食物给动物吃。
防患方法
许多例宠物误食人类食物导致中毒事件都是意外发生的。一只宠物找到一块口香糖后，可能就会不假思索地咀嚼起来，有些小猫咪也会趁主人不在从厨房或者橱柜里偷吃一些食物。在长假中，家里随处可见的甜点、巧克力和水果等也应该特别留意。
家长应该教育自己的小孩子不要随意把蜜饯，口香糖等食物给宠物吃。