Sometimes, you come across a warning that leaves you scratching your head. This week, Nintendo dropped one of those baffling advisories, reminding Switch owners not to let their pets pee on their Joy-Con controllers. Yes, you read that correctly.
The message came from Nintendo’s Japanese customer service Twitter account, and it’s as odd as it sounds. The tweet started innocuously enough, advising that if you leave your Joy-Con lying around, your pets might chew them or cover them in drool. A fairly reasonable warning, right?
But things took a turn. The tweet went on to cover another potential issue: pet pee. In a truly unexpected twist, Nintendo cautioned that, just like dog drool, pet urine could seriously damage your controllers—likely due to water exposure. Drool, pee—same deal. Both could lead to your Joy-Con malfunctioning.
To help illustrate their point, Nintendo included an image of a dog happily chewing on a Joy-Con. Thankfully, they left the “pee incident” up to your imagination, though, to be honest, that might not be a bad thing.
Now, you might wonder: why this warning now? Was there a real incident at Nintendo where a pet’s bodily fluids ruined a Joy-Con? It’s possible. But given Nintendo’s history of quirky releases—like the $100 alarm clock—it could very well be another case of their oddball sense of humor or a creative precaution. Either way, it shows Nintendo’s commitment to keeping their consoles in tip-top shape, even if that means addressing the possibility of pets getting a little too comfortable with your gaming gear.
Whether prompted by a bizarre real-life scenario or just a random reminder from Nintendo’s eccentric customer service team, it’s clear they’re still keeping an eye on your Switch’s well-being. So, next time you’re gaming with your furry friend nearby, keep your controllers safe and dry—especially from any unexpected bodily fluids.
In case you’re wondering, this quirky warning comes just as Nintendo prepares for the eventual release of the Switch 2, expected sometime between now and March 31, 2025. While it may seem like a weird way to prepare for the new console, it’s nice to know that Nintendo is still looking out for your current Switch—even when pets are involved.
