Why can animals eat grass that they have pooped on, but humans would get sick?

cabhan@discuss.tchncs.de to No Stupid Questions@lemmy.world – 45 points –

As far as I am aware, grazing animals like cows or sheep poop in the same meadows where they eat grass, but presumably don't have any problems eating the grass and pooping in the same space. But if humans would eat vegetables that they had pooped on, my understanding is that we would get sick.

Why? Am I incorrect that grazing animals poop where they eat? Are their stomachs more resistant to whatever makes it dangerous?

Thank you!

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They can and do get sick. Here's an example of bovine parasites whose life cycle goes from cow to grass and back again:

https://livestock.extension.wisc.edu/articles/managing-worms-on-summer-pastures/

I was taught that this is why herd animals keep moving.