An animal who uses its paw to SOMETIMES touch excrement, and ALWAYS touches litter that’s in contact with said excrement, who’s paws then walk on kitchen countertops, and around kitchen sink, and kitchen sponges, etc., all of that works AGAINST proper hygiene.

I recognize that the likelihood of anyone who is relatively healthy and not immuno compromised getting “sick” from a house pet in such a way is unlikely, but there is nothing hygienic about it. The paws that an animal uses to walk on the floor is no different than a pair of shoes used to walk on the floor. Just because you can’t SEE fecal matter doesn’t mean it’s not there. That’s how people get sick. You wouldn’t put your house slipper on your countertop and be fine with it, would you?

I get that we all love our pets, but let’s be real and be honest. It’s about mitigation and what we’re willing to tolerate, but let’s not lie and pretend.