Scientists are urging dog owners not to wash their hands after petting their animals in order to gain friendly and useful bacteria for our gut. These important species of bacteria are rapidly disappearing from our bodies due to poor diet, widespread use of antibiotics, environmental toxins, more frequent cesarean sections, and less-frequent breastfeeding.
We would have difficulty living without such bacteria in our gut. They fend off pathogens, regulate our immune system, and help maintain brain health. By not washing our hands after handling our dogs, this allows friendly bacteria to be transferred from their bodies to ours.
