Prairie Fare: Pets can promote health

“Wally, how did you get on the table?” I exclaimed as I ran into the kitchen.

I saw what happened. We hadn’t pushed in a kitchen chair. This pup leaped onto a chair and hopped on the table.

I do not condone animals on our tables or kitchen counters, by the way. He is a sneaky guy with amazing jumping skills considering his short legs that are characteristic of the dachshund breed.

I tried to wrangle the wily young wiener dog back to his kennel. He is far more agile than I.

He slid through the dog gates and ran up the steps. I found him under a pile of laundry.

He flows through small openings like an otter. I should have called him River, Dewey, Wade or some other water-like name.

I am getting more exercise these days while training a new dog. I’d rather take him out for a nice walk in the neighborhood, though.

Having a pet has several advantages and promoting exercise is one of them. One study showed that the majority of dog owners get the recommended amount of exercise. With exercise, you could maintain or lose weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of several diseases.

Based on the number of dogs in our neighborhood, I think a lot of my neighbors agree about the companionship value of animals. In fact, nearly 70% of U.S. households have at least one pet.

By getting more exercise, you can reduce your blood pressure and reduce your risk for stroke.

Pets can help reduce stress as they provide companionship and reduce loneliness. Having a pet nearby can reduce the level of a stress hormone cortisol. Pets may even reduce risk for anxiety, depression and other mental issues.

Research on the role that pets play in human health is the subject of many interventions.

Some recent research has linked the presence of pets with helping manage attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Children with autism who engaged with pets such as hamsters or guinea pigs were calmer.

Other studies have examined whether reading to “real” animals or puppets made a greater difference. The real pets calmed the child.

More recent research is studying the role of “robotic” pets in health.

Whether your pet of choice is a dog, cat, hamster, fish or other creature, you may experience some benefits through your interactions.

In one study, teens with Type I diabetes took care of fish. The researchers found that the teens who had caregiving responsibilities for fish did a better job monitoring their own blood sugar levels.

For older adults, pets are often part of long-term care facilities where they can improve the quality of life. Most people enjoy the companionship of a visiting animal. Service animals are extremely helpful to disabled people.

We also need to exercise some caution with pets. After interacting with animals, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water. Kids may want to kiss their pets, even pet chickens. That can expose them to many illnesses. Therefore, avoid kissing your pets.

Pregnant women should not change cat litter boxes because that could expose them to toxoplasmosis and potentially, miscarriages.

Be cautious about feeding human foods to pets, even if the pets beg for a treat. Grapes, sugar-free gum with xylitol and dark chocolate can be toxic to animals. If you have a pet, be sure to get your advice from your veterinarian and be cautious of what you find in some online sources.

Not everyone has the space for pets, but a fish can provide some entertainment and responsibilities for caregiving.

Feed your pets right. Our previous dogs loved tomatoes, blueberries and carrots as special treats. Our dogs would stand by the garden and bark until I gave them a cherry tomato. Those snacks are good for humans, too. 

Here’s a fun and colorful summertime recipe courtesy of our colleagues at University of Maryland. Try it as a refreshing low-calorie snack or dessert.

Melon Skewers

• 1 cup fresh cantaloupe, cut in 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup fresh honeydew melon, cut in 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup fresh watermelon, cut in 1-inch cubes, remove seeds
• 1 cup low-fat or fat-free vanilla or fruit-flavored yogurt, for dipping or drizzling
• 12 wooden craft sticks

Rinse melons under cool running tap water. Scrub outside of melons with clean vegetable brush and rinse. Cut open and remove seeds of cantaloupe and honeydew melons. Cut melon flesh from rind and remove any bruised or damaged areas. Cut into 1-inch cubes. Press wooden stick through center of a piece of cantaloupe, leaving 1-inch of stick bare for a handle at one end.  Repeat pressing other pieces of melon on wooden stick alternating types until stick is full.

Refrigerate or serve immediately. Offer yogurt as sauce for dipping kabobs.

Makes six servings. Each serving has 60 calories, 0 grams (g) fat, 2 g protein, 14 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber and 30 milligrams sodium.

Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., is a North Dakota State University Extension food and nutrition specialist and professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences.