And, evolutionary, why would cats and dogs be so disgusting that they would have to clean themselves? And why would raccoons be so surrounded by bacteria that t

And, evolutionary, why would cats and dogs be so disgusting that they would have to clean themselves? And why would raccoons be so surrounded by bacteria that they would evolve to rinse their paws in water? And why would birds evolve to take water or dust baths, and preen their feathers? This article makes me concerned not only for the physical hygiene of our species, but for its mental hygiene as well.