[Chemistry4me]

Maybe they're just used to it! []

[Damo the Optics Monkey]

Dogs and cats lick their own butts - I don't think they'll mind...

[Karen W.]

Actually I had a Boston Terrier who could run you out of the house!

 He however would come lay down against you let one fly then after 30 seconds or so would get this look on his face of shame or disgust and would get up walk away down the hall....Lol He would come back about ten minutes later.. but always left when he farted.... He also left when My husband farted..Lol..I don't think he liked it...

Rocky my pit bull seems to be fine with his own as well as others.. Who knows why?

[John Chapman (OP)]

 

Surely when you smell a fart, you're actually inhaling (sniffing) molecules that have eminated from the rectum of the farter?

Why do farts smell anyway? It's not just the smell of methane. Are we breathing in tiny bits of poo suspended in the gas?

According to The Font of all Knowledge, Wikipedia:

“The gas released during a flatus event frequently has an unpleasant odor which mainly results from low molecular weight fatty acids such as butyric acid (rancid butter smell) and reduced sulphur compounds such as hydrogen sulphide (rotten egg smell) and carbonyl sulphide that are the result of protein breakdown”
 

[Ethos]

Can anyone tell me, is there any biological or even socialogical reason why most people enjoy (or at least tolerate) the smell of their own farts but detest the smell of anyone else's?

It's a sensual reminder of one's own existence. For an individual of philosophical existentialist persuasion, they might utter these most famous words:

I fart, therefore I exist!

[Chemistry4me]

But we just detest the existence of the people around us when they fart!

[muffinzrock]

I'm sorry for the bump, but I must say—the only reason that I registered was to tell you that this thread is the funniest thing I have seen in my life.  Some of the posts were absolutely hilarious.  I applaud all of you.
And by the way, not gonna lie—I do enjoy a good Dutch oven for one every once in a while.  It's a real shame that I can't share my bounty with everyone.

[Chemistry4me]

I do enjoy a good Dutch oven for one every once in a while. 

Good on you mate, good on ya.

[Mr. Scientist]

Does it not have something to do with the evolutionary(primal) human being. If their farts smelled wrong to them, there was something not right inside?

[Karen W.]

Haven't you all seen show where the lady who comes to peoples homes and she teaches them to change their diets to be healthier etc etc... Well she always takes a stool sample..( Poo).. She says if it stinks you are not eating properly... and the same stands for the air passing by the stool on its way out! LOL..

There must be something to that.. stinky poo and stinky air = bad eating habits and more obese subjects??? I wonder what truth is in that if any?

She takes the stools to a lab and they are put through an analyis to find bacteria and bad organisms etc....

[Fozzie]

Last night I was sitting on the settee and the dog was lying next to me with his head in my lap. And I farted. It was about a 70 percenter. Not toe curling but fairly potent. The dog, however, appeared to be oblivious to it. I thought for a moment I had killed him but I think he was just enjoying an interaction with his master. So tonight I tried it with the cat. Same result.

I was once in someone's house repairing their TV and let a real stinker go. Fortunately for me the owner thought it was their dog and kicked it outside with a flea in it's ear. After she apologised to me, I had to go out when the next one erupted!  [:I]

[Karen W.]

LOL..LOL...Thats funny.. I bet that was difficult.. Hee hee.

[Mr. Scientist]

poor dog lol