The fundamental problem is that the area used for releasing urine and faeces is compressed between thighs and buttocks, so we are more likely than other animals to foul ourselves.
Short answer: Humans are the only mammals who have to wipe after defecating due to the shape and position of our anus in relation to our skin and the type of feces we produce.
We have to use toilet paper because we walk upright, while dogs and cats don't have or need large, well-developed glutes because they walk on all fours. Hence, they don't have buttcheeks. Hence, there is nothing to get full of feces when they defecate.
The scientific objective of post-defecation cleansing is to prevent exposure to pathogens while socially it becomes a cultural norm. The process of post-defecation cleansing involves either rinsing the anus and inner part of the buttocks with water or wiping the area with dry materials such as toilet paper.
As you say, animals in general don't make a habit of wiping after defecation—limbwise, few are up to the task anyway. Birds and fish would seem to lack means, motive, or both. Some mammals, it's true, do clean themselves when necessary—think of your cat licking itself. (Maybe don't think about it too long, though.)
Not much is known about how cavemen wiped their butts. But it stands to reason early humans used whatever was on hand. Leaves, sticks, moss, sand and water were common choices, depending on early humans' environment.
From Seashells to Communal Sponges
In very ancient times, wiping with stones and other natural materials and rinsing with water or snow was common. Some cultures opted for seashells and animal furs.
EXCESS USE CAN CAUSE HEALTH ISSUES: That toilet paper you use to clean your butts, when used in excess, can cause severe damage to the sensitive skin around your derrieres. This practice can also make you prone to health problems like anal fissures and urinary tract infections.
Keep wiping until all the poop is gone and you feel clean. "Always take your time with these techniques; this is one of the most important things you can do for your health on a daily basis," Dr.
Austin Chiang, a clinical and research fellow at the gastroenterology division of Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. As you might expect, Chiang says that not wiping will result in an accumulation of feces around the anus. Things will undoubtedly get smelly and underwear will be soiled.
Anal glands (also referred to as anal sacs) becoming full is the most common reason for dogs scooting their butts on the floor. It's not the most pleasant issue to talk about, but anal gland issues are fairly common and affect many pets. Anal glands are a pair of sacs located on either side of your dog's anus.
Yet 70% of the world's population doesn't use toilet paper at all. Big areas of southern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia use water instead.
One of the reasons some countries have always favoured toilet paper, it appears, is the climate. Most countries in Northern Europe are cold for a good part of the year, and although we live in the 21st century and water heating is available today, it's just a habit that's been passed down the ages.
Eye Contact
As your dog squats, do you notice that she stares at you while doing her business? You'd think she'd look away in hopes of getting a little privacy, but she locks eyes with you instead. That's because when your dog is in that pooping position, she's vulnerable, and she's looking to you to protect her.
The sphincter around the urethra is smaller than the one around the anus, so when you decide to urinate you can relax it without relaxing the whole pelvic floor. This means you can pass urine without needing to pass stool at the same time.
Don't want to carry a gross poopie bag
Problem: This is probably the most common reason why people don't pick up after their dogs. To be honest, I don't fully blame them, I get it. It's smelly, it's gross, not to mention full of bacteria. In fact, just one gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal bacteria.
She goes on to explain,"when you are wiping more than two or three times, that is called faecal smearing.. "So it is essentially when too much faecal matter stays at the entrance of the anus even after you have finished your poo."
The Right Way to Wipe
Wipe backward from the perineum , the space between the genitals and anus, moving toward and past the anus. Use additional wads of toilet tissue as needed until the paper is mostly clean. Never scrub the skin around the anus, called the perianal area, as this can cause microtears in the skin.
It's completely normal to wipe anywhere from between one to three times. If you have a lot of soft or pasty poop when you wipe, it's likely that you didn't empty things out completely.
If you went to the toilet in ancient Rome, you would not have any toilet paper. Instead you may have used a sponge (Latin: tersorium) to wipe. These ancient devices consisted of a stick with a vinegar- or salt water-soaked sponge attached. They were often shared!
The first commercially available toilet roll appeared in 1857 thanks to Joseph Gayetty who sold “Medicated Paper for the Water Closet” which was sold in packs of 500 sheets. A few decades later the first perforated toilet paper rolls appeared on the market in 1890 thanks to the Scott Paper Company of Philadelphia.
Washing is gentler, causes no tears - unlike wiping:
Constipation can lead to anal tears worsened by harsh wiping. This practice can also make you prone to health problems like anal fissures and urinary tract infections. So, washing is, undoubtedly a healthy practice.