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.
有些適合人類吃的食物對寵物是有害的。這些食物味道可口，但是寵物吃了以后可能會死亡。人類餐桌上有各種各樣充滿誘惑的食物，但是給寵物吃之前，最好詢問一下獸醫。
If you suspect your pet may have eaten a dangerous food, contact your veterinarian immediately. In many cases, early recognition and treatment are critical.
如果你發現你的寵物可能吃了一種危險的食物，趕緊聯系獸醫，很多情況下，早發現和早治療是至關重要的。
Chocolate, Coffee, and Caffeine
巧克力和咖啡
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.
巧克力包含了可可堿，這種化學物質達到一定數量后，會使得狗狗中毒。巧克力同時還包含了咖啡因，在咖啡、茶和某些不含酒精的飲料中都含有咖啡因。不同種類的巧克力包含了不同數量的可可堿和咖啡因。比如說：深色咖啡和烘焙巧克力包含了比牛奶巧克力更多的可可堿和咖啡因。
Grapes and Raisins
葡萄和葡萄干
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.
葡萄和葡萄干會引起貓和狗的腎功能衰竭。這些水果中的有毒成分目前還不得而知，但24小時臨床表現包括嘔吐，腹瀉，無力和腎功能衰竭等。
Garlic and Onions
大蒜和洋蔥
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.
大蒜和洋蔥包含了能夠破壞貓狗身上紅細胞的化學物質，受此影響的紅細胞會減弱甚至失去輸氧功能。煮過后也不能有效降低內部毒性。新鮮的，煮過的大蒜或者洋蔥不能作為食物給動物吃。
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.
許多例寵物誤食人類食物導致中毒事件都是意外發生的。一只寵物找到一塊口香糖后，可能就會不假思索地咀嚼起來，有些小貓咪也會趁主人不在從廚房或者櫥柜里偷吃一些食物。在長假中，家里隨處可見的甜點、巧克力和水果等也應該特別留意。
Children should also be taught to never give candy, gum, or other human food items to pets.
家長應該教育自己的小孩子不要隨意把蜜餞，口香糖等食物給寵物吃。

詞匯學習：
veterinarian [,vetəri'nεəriən] n. [獸醫] 獸醫
toxic ['tɔksik] adj. 有毒的；中毒的
vomiting ['vɔmitiŋ] v. 嘔吐（vomit的ing形式）
diarrhea [,daiə'riə] n. 腹瀉，痢疾
ingestion [in'dʒestʃən] n. 攝取；吸收；咽下
raisin ['reizən] n. 葡萄干
kidney ['kidni] n. [解剖] 腎臟；腰子；個性