I'm so glad someone else brought this confusion to light, because I'm probably in the dog house already for being picky about the proper use of our language.

The intention was surely to inquire if our pets had an odor, but the wording is incorrect . . . it asks if they have the capability to detect scent. Of course most pets do, but I recently learned that birds cannot taste, nor can they detect scent (thanks, Birds & Blooms magazine).

I recall reading somewhere that Parakeets used to be taken down into the mines, and if they keeled over this indicated carbon monoxide was present, possibly in sufficient quantity to threaten the miners.

Better to rephrase the poll: "Does your pet have a scent?" Or, "Does your pet have an odor?"