Cat keeps turning on HomePod. Should I return?

[NewtonPippin]

So as any cat owner knows, as soon as you get a new item, they are curious. That curiosity typically leads them to rubbing their head on the item, etc. Well my cat has started doing that and apparently the top of the homepod takes it as input and begins LOUDLY blasting music!

Did apple not test with household pets?

 

[casperes1996]

I don't think it'd be fair to return your cat just because the HomePod acts out a bit. Maybe cover up the top of the HomePod with something so it doesn't go bunkers. Also, surprised your cat doesn't get scared by the music and stops

 

[NewtonPippin]

She did get scared but then i turned down the volume cuz I got scared... and now i think she's okay with it and curious about it again..

 

[Amplelink]

Clearly the right thing to do is to get rid of the cat.

Kidding. Once the novelty wears off, I'm sure it'll stop bugging your HomePod. You could also place it in a harder to reach area.

 

[jetsam]

So as any cat owner knows, as soon as you get a new item, they are curious. That curiosity typically leads them to rubbing their head on the item, etc. Well my cat has started doing that and apparently the top of the homepod takes it as input and begins LOUDLY blasting music!

Three thoughts:

1. Cats find anything with a citrus taste or smell aversive. Is there a hard surface on the Homepod you can wipe down with a little Lemon Pledge, or something similar?
2. Can you put double-sided tape near where your cat likes to rub her head? Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Pet-Sticky-Furniture-Deterrent/dp/B0006NE4QC
3. Just wait. My cats have almost always gotten bored with a new object. (Exception, I used to have a cat who just loved to lick plastic bags. She never got tired of that.)

Did apple not test with household pets?

As everyone knows, animal testing is unethical.

 

[Allyance]

Cats rub to leave their scent on objects, she will get over it. However, my cat has been chewing on the same plastic bag for more than 2 years, doesn't eat it, just chews it.

 

[Krayzkat]

Lol I could see my cats doing this too.

Why not set some kind of dog barking track that will play next time your cat turns the speaker on? If I recall correctly, there’s a Bush song from the 90’s that begins with a dog growling/barking....

 

[SamRyouji]

Let's pray that your cat's curiosity doesn't turn into a "eureka!" moment where she thinks she could claw that soft fabric apart.

I would do what jetsam said: squeeze a lemon and spray it to the fabric part of that homepod. Or, I cold just put a catnip plant near it.

 

[Buckeyes1995]

This is exactly why Apple hasn't implemented ordering capability in Home Pod. Their internal testing probably showed a ton of unauthorized Catnip orders.

 

[CPTmom2wp]

I think cats could perceive the HP as a scratching post, but mine is declawed, so not concerned. I think either the sticky tape (probably only need it for a week or so) or the citrus. However, I wouldn't spray the HP with anything due to risk of discoloration. Instead, spray microfiber cloths or some other fabric and place it in a circle around the HP (also should only be needed for a week or so).

 

[MacintoshDan]

Thats the only thing I like about our cat, he is afraid of everything so I don't have to worry about him messing with my things.

 

[iphonehype]

Google: cat repellent spray

I have used this on new sofas, worked great, the material of HomePod is fabric so will be fine

 

[actcyclist]

that just sounds adorable. I'm sure Apple employees have cats like anyone else so perhaps a control clock to keep paws (and children' fingers come to think of it) from doing that will come soon​

 

[conifer]

My cats use my speakers as scratching posts and have ripped off the cloth. With the HomePod, I wonder if they would leave it alone. Am waiting for enterprising cat owner to solve the mystery. They are older so don’t jump on the tops of the bookshelves as much so that could be a last resort solution.

 

[CTHarrryH]

Apple specifically designed the homepod for cat usage. Cats run Apple as they do all companies.

 

[AZhappyjack]

So as any cat owner knows, as soon as you get a new item, they are curious. That curiosity typically leads them to rubbing their head on the item, etc. Well my cat has started doing that and apparently the top of the homepod takes it as input and begins LOUDLY blasting music!

Did apple not test with household pets?

Yeah, I'd definitely return the cat.

 

[3rdiguy]

Return the cat and keep the HomePod. Problem solved.

 

[bruinsrme]

Just get a big woofer, that will keep the cat in line

 

[Bfarmer38119]

So as any cat owner knows, as soon as you get a new item, they are curious. That curiosity typically leads them to rubbing their head on the item, etc. Well my cat has started doing that and apparently the top of the homepod takes it as input and begins LOUDLY blasting music!

Did apple not test with household pets?

Same thing happened with my puppy. Cats are uninterested so far.

 

[weeesss]

I didn’t even think of my cats using it as a scratching post!

I don’t know if I should skip getting one since it would be out in the open and not under my tv like my Sonos. I would hate to have the car destroy it unless AppleCare would cover it.