What is one reason to wash your hands after bathing a dog?

Washing hands after bathing a dog is critical for preventing contamination and the spread of diseases. This is particularly important because handling a dog can transfer various microorganisms, including parasites, bacteria, and allergens, onto your hands. By thoroughly washing your hands afterward, you minimize the risk of transferring these pathogens to yourself, other pets, or humans, thereby promoting better hygiene and health. In veterinary practice, maintaining clean hands is vital to prevent zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans.

While avoiding getting wet, making the dog comfortable, and preventing the dog from getting muddy are practical concerns, they do not directly relate to the critical health implications of washing hands after handling pets. Hence, the emphasis on sanitation is crucial for both the caretaker's and the pet's well-being.