Testing Petzi, The Pet Cam That Shoots Treats

Author: Derek Ward, Published on Aug 14, 2015

Do you love dogs?

Do you love the Internet of Things?

Then we have a product for you.

Half camera, half remote-controlled pet treat dispenser, Petzi lets you shoot treats at your dog. That's my dog going for a Petzi treat:

After doubling their IndieGogo goals in 2013, Petzi has finally hit the market, promising users an easy way to look in on, talk to, and best of all, shoot treats at their pets.

We bought one of these cameras to see how well it worked.

** *** **** ****?

** *** **** *** ******** ** ******?

**** ** **** * ******* *** ***.

**** ******, **** ******-********** *** ***** *********, ********* *** ***** ****** ** **** ***. ****'* ** *** going *** * ***** *****:

************* ***** ********* ***** ** ****, ***** *** ******* *** *** ******, ********* ***** ** easy *** ** **** ** **, **** **, *** **** of ***, ***** ****** ** ***** ****.

** ****** *** ** ***** ******* ** *** *** **** it ******.

[***************]

***************

*** ***** ******* ** **** ** *** ** ***** *** and ***** **, ***** **** *** **** **** ****, ***** may ** **********. ** ***** **** *** ******* ** ** pets *** ********** ******, *** ***** ******* *** ******** ******** should **** *********, ** *****'* **** ** ****** ********* ** any **** ** ********* ***** ** ********** *** ************.

Market ******

********* **** ** *****, *** ****** **** ** **** ******* Dropcam ******* ** ******* ***, ** ***** * ***** ******** at * ******** *******. ** ***** **** ** * **** example ************** ** ******, **** ***** ** **** ** ******* ** other *****.

Key ********

***** *** *** *** ****** **** **** ****:

***** ****** ** **** ****

*** **** ***** ******* ** *** ******, ********** ****** *** the ****** ***** ***, ***** ******. *** ***** ***** ***** 1" ****** *** ** ****, *** ******** **** *** * button ** *** ***. ***** ** * ***** ** ~*-* seconds ****** *** ****** *** "*****", ** ** ***** *' from *** ******.

****** ***** *******

***** *** **** ********** *** ****** ** * **** ******* and ******* ******** ***** ~* ******* *****. ***** ******* ** the ****** *** **** *** *** ****** ******* ******* ******** and ******* *****.

*****-** *******

***** *** **** ** ***** **** **** ******* *** ****** right **** *** **** ****, *** ***** *** ***** **** the ****** ** ******* ****, ****'* ****** ***** ******** ****** and ****** ** **** ** **** **** ***** ** ** unstable ** ** **** ****** ***** ****** ** ****** ***** output.

****** ******* ******

**** **** ***** ****** ***** ** **** ***** ****** ******* (or "*******", ** **** **** **), **** ** *** ** opting ***. ******* ** ****** ******* **** ********** *** ******* users ** *** **** ****** ** ******' ***** *****, **** pet ******** ***** *** ******** ******.

*******

***** ***** *** ~$*** *** ******. **** ** ******** ***** **** ***** ******** *******, ********* around *** $*** ****.

Treat ******** *************

****, ** *********** *** ***** ******** ***********. ***** ****** ****:

  • ******** ******* *-* ****** ** ** *** ********* **** **** ********* on *** **** ** *** *****.
  • ***** *** *** ****** *** *** ****** ** **** *** shot **** *** ******, ** *** ******** ********* *** ***** the ****** *** *** *** ** *** ***.
  • *** ***** ******* ********** *** ***** ******** ** ~* *******, which ***** ***** **** ** *** *** ********** ** *** their **** ********* ***** ** *** ****** *******.

** *********** **** ******* ** **** *****:

Physical ********

** *** ***** *****, ** ******** *** ******** ************ ** the ***** ***** ******.

** * **** **********, ***** ** **** *** ***** *** Google **** *** **** ** ****.

Not ******** *** ********

***** ** ********** *** ******** ******** *** ******** *******:

  • ** ***** ****** ********* ** ******** ** *** ******.
  • ***** **** *** ****** ***** ** *** ****, ****** ******* or ** *** *****. ********* *** ** ***** ******** *** mobile ***.
  • *** ****** ** ********* ******* ***** ** *** ****** **** most ******* *** ** *** ***** ********** ********, ****** ** less **** ***** *** ********.
  • *** ********** ** ** ******** ** ******* ********, ****** ********* video ********** **** ******** ** ***** ******** ******* **** ******.

***** ******** *******

***** *** ******* ***** ******** ******* ** ***** ***** ** typical ******** *******, ** ****:

**** *** **** *** ******

*********, ***** ******** **** *** **** ******* *** ****** **** no ******* **** ***** *****. ***** **** **** *** ******* ** allow **** ***** ** ****** *** ******.

** ************* ********

***** *** ** ************* ** ***** ******** **** ***** *** change **********. ***** ********** ******** *******, ***** ***** *** "**** of *** ***** ** ****** ******** *** **** ********** ****** **** is ******* ****** *** ***."

****** ****** *******

*********, ***** *** ************* ******** ** *** ***** ****** ******* **** account ******** *** ***** **** ** *** ** **** ***. When ** ***** ******** ******* ***** ****, ***** ***** *** "As *** *** ***** ****** *******, ** ** * **** of *** ******* **** *** *** ******** ** ** * default, *'** ** **** ** **** ***** ** *** ********** that *** ****** ** ** **** ** **** *** *** been ******* **."

******* ******* *****

***** ** * **** ***** **** ***** **** * ***** **** (~80-90°) **** ** ********** ******. ***** *** **** ** ****** tilt *** **** ******* ** ********* ** ****** *** ***** pets ********* ** ***** *** ****** ** ******.

Petzi *****

******* ***** ** ***** *** ******, ********* ***** ** ******** the ***** *** ** *********** ** *******, ****** ** *******, and *** *** ****** ** ***** *******. ***** **** ******* is ********, *** *** ****** *** ******** *** ***** ***** ** the **** ****. **** ******* ** ******* ** ***** ******** surveillance ******* **** ** *** ****** **** *** ** *******'* SmartCams.

***** *******

******, ** **** * **** ** ***** ******* **** *** Petzi ******.

** **** *****, ***** ******* ** ****, **** ** ******* issues.

*******, *** ****'* ********** ** ************ *** ********* ******** **** no ****** ** **** **** **, ****** *** ***** ***** (about ~*.* *** *****) ********** ****. ***** ***** ** **** plan ** ****** ** ************ ** ****** ******** ********. ** will ****** ***** *********** ** **.

Comments (35)

Thumbnail untitled

Tony Darland

IPVMU Certified | 08/14/15 12:01pm

Ross. When is Zeke's Birthday?

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Tony Darland | 08/14/15 12:02pm

No word on Lenel integration status ;)

Thumbnail usa shield

Luis Carmona

IPVMU Certified | 08/14/15 12:05pm

Was this the product on Shark Tank?

Thumbnail usa shield

Luis Carmona

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Luis Carmona | 08/14/15 01:34pm

Ok, found the one I was thinking of.

iCPooch

A similar concept product, but this one uses a tablet that you provide with two way video on a treat dispenser.

Michael Miller

08/14/15 12:49pm

I think IPVM offically jumped the shark with this review.

Matt Bode

08/14/15 03:24pm

Does it come with a GoDogPro camera too for tracking where your dog is snooping while you're gone?

Josh King

IPVMU Certified | 08/14/15 03:57pm

Looks like these guys saw this on the Ben Heck Show and ran with it.

Undisclosed #1

08/14/15 04:17pm

Finally a real solution for those not home on Halloween!

John Honovich

IPVM | 08/14/15 05:39pm

Cat Facial Recognition Feeder - CatFi:

Thumbnail pp 5

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to John Honovich | 08/14/15 05:43pm

Raccoons and possums will hate this.

Undisclosed Integrator #2

08/14/15 06:20pm

Is it possible to intercept the stream?

I have three dogs so something like this could be great, if for no other reason than to have a way to calm them down when the neighbors call to complain about howling and we are not home. Distraction works wonders. Unfortunately, the lack of functional IR and recording is disappointing. Those two oversights made me put away my credit card.

Thumbnail profile pic

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #2 | 08/14/15 07:13pm

What do you mean by intercept the stream? As in can someone hack it? Or as in can it be streamed to another recorder?

The answer to the latter is no, there's no RTSP stream. Video is sent to the cloud with no local viewing option.

The answer to the former is trickier. Petzi doesn't mention what sort of encryption they use on their communications. We did not Wireshark it but I suspect they some sort of standard encryption.

Pat Villerot

In reply to Ethan Ace | 08/14/15 09:00pm

Sorry, RTSP. That option is a no-go then.

Undisclosed #1

08/14/15 06:40pm

Unfortunately, the lack of functional IR...

The IR was disabled to prevent possible pet injuries caused by a non-technical owner innocently launching a delicious treat at a hungry dog in a pitch-black room.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 08/14/15 06:43pm

Petzi 2.0 to include remote controllable white light....

Undisclosed #1

In reply to John Honovich | 08/14/15 06:46pm

Throw in a laser pointer and the fun never ends...

Thumbnail profile pic

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 08/14/15 07:03pm

That's a different camera entirely.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Ethan Ace | 11/29/16 06:05am

Finally, treat dispenser and laser fun in one!

Pat Villerot

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 08/14/15 06:47pm

With how much force are these treats ejected from the dispenser?

Derek Ward

In reply to Pat Villerot | 08/14/15 06:58pm

With enough force to send treats ~3' or so on a table, but it's not enough force to actually hurt someone (unless you put your eyes directly in front of the dispenser.) Here is a gif showing treats being shot out:

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Pat Villerot | 08/14/15 07:38pm

Not too much:

Undisclosed End User #4

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 08/18/15 03:09am

I dont get what you are saying?? are you syaing you would like to hurt mans best friend with your LMS array of weapons?

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Undisclosed End User #4 | 08/18/15 03:57am

...are you saying you would like to hurt mans best friend with your LMS array of weapons?

0.006 Joules is about as much energy as a fly farting.

Undisclosed End User #4

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 08/18/15 04:17am

Ha! Ok get it!! :)

Chris Hammond

08/14/15 09:51pm

This is taking camera shootout to a whole other level.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #3

08/14/15 10:04pm

I can't help but keep visualizing this product after being attacked by a persistent, strong jawed pooch that is driven by food. What is the IP rating for drool under pressure anyway?

Chris Dearing

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #3 | 08/14/15 10:06pm

IK-9

Undisclosed Manufacturer #3

In reply to Chris Dearing | 08/14/15 10:09pm

Well played!

Thumbnail profile pic

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Chris Dearing | 08/14/15 10:13pm

Undisclosed End User #4

08/18/15 03:16am

Great review and as always in depth factual!!

Unfortunately this would be no good for me…… I have two Beagles.. and as anyone who has owned or owns one will tell you this great dogs undoing is FOOD! The last shots you’d see this camera putting out at my place is being ripped off its mount and swallowed once the treats ran out!! J

Maybe play the sound of cats fighting would be a be an option to attract our best friends into the FOV?

Thumbnail img 2122 ppb

Meghan Uhl

08/18/15 03:09pm

My grand daughter is starting a new job that won't allow her to come home at lunch to spend time with her beloved dog - this is just the ticket for her!

Thumbnail headshot1

Sagy Amit

08/18/15 05:00pm
Thanks for this review guys! What I would love to see is a combination of this product with a collar cam that produces a vibration/shock. This way I can use the carrot and the stick to correct behavior.
Thumbnail img 2122 ppb

Meghan Uhl

08/18/15 06:18pm

I'd like it to detect motion so when I'm not there and my dog heads into the family room where he LOVES to leave me "surprises" it would detect & shoot treats across the room leading him away from the potty spot! This product has infinite possibility :)

Steve Mitchell

08/21/15 05:54pm

Has anybody used this for guard tours? When the guard's scheduled to tour the facility the system both throws treats to them and documents their tour? Just a thought.

Thumbnail img 2122 ppb

Meghan Uhl

09/01/15 04:14pm

I see it as a better human kids toy/game. Parent loads it up with small candy treats, kids (minimum age probably 4 or 5) put on safety goggles and stand back 10 feet then parent sits & watches thier favorite TV Show or catches up on Facebook while shooting treats out to the kids. The kids will love the game, parents will get some uninterupted time - its a win/win! Of course caution should be excersized to only use this game in the morning so they have the day to get the sugar out of their systems; not a good pre-bedtime game!

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

Dahua Dual Imager Dome Camera Tested (HDBW4231FN-E2-M) on Nov 07, 2018
Dahua has introduced a dual-imager dome model, the HDBW4231FN-E2-M, with two independently positionable sensors including integrated IR, not found...
Wyze Explosive Growth Disrupting Consumer IP Camera Market on Oct 30, 2018
Wyze, a company founded only in 2017, is poised to disrupt the consumer IP camera market by combining American marketing and Chinese manufacturing...
Hanwha Dual Imager Dome Camera Tested (PNM-7000VD) on Oct 18, 2018
Hanwha has introduced their first dual-imager model, the PNM-7000VD, a twin 1080p model featuring independently positionable sensors and a snap-in...
ADI's Financials Revealed + W-Box Growth Priority on Oct 15, 2018
  ADI is one of the most powerful distributors in the security industry but how big are they? How much profit do they make? How much do they sell...
Dahua Face Recognition Camera Tested on Oct 15, 2018
Dahua has been one of the industry's most vocal proponents of the value that AI creates: As part of this, Dahua has released a facial...
Last Chance - October 2018 Camera Course on Oct 04, 2018
Today is the last day to register for the October 2018 Camera Course, register now. This is the only independent surveillance camera course,...
Axis 4K vs. 5MP Camera Shootout (Q3518-LVE + Q3517-LVE) on Oct 04, 2018
Axis has released the 4K counterpart to their 5MP Q3517-LVE (see our test). Axis claims of both these cameras: Simply put, AXIS Q3518(17)-LVE...
Hikvision 4MP Camera Tested (DS-2CD2345FWD-I) on Sep 27, 2018
Hikvision's latest Performance Series / EasyIP 3.0 4MP model, the DS-2CD2345FWD-I, was the top performer in our 4MP shootout, besting rivals from...
4MP Camera Shootout - Axis, Dahua, DW, Hanwha, Hikvision, Uniview, Vivotek on Sep 24, 2018
4MP usage continues to climb, especially for low cost fixed lens models. To see who was best, we bought and tested seven 4MP models from Axis,...
Axis Vs. Hikvision IR PTZ Shootout on Sep 20, 2018
Hikvision has their high-end dual-sensor DarkfighterX. Axis has their high-end concealed IR Q6125-LE. Which is better? We bought both and tested...

Most Recent Industry Reports

'Sticker' Surveillance Camera Developed (CSEM Witness) on Nov 16, 2018
The Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) has announced what it calls the: world’s first fully autonomous camera that can be...
ISC East 2018 Mini-Show Final Report on Nov 16, 2018
This is our second (updated) and final show report from ISC East. ISC East, by its own admission, is not a national or international show, billed...
Facial Detection Tested on Nov 16, 2018
Facial detection and recognition are increasingly offered by video surveillance manufacturers. Facial detection detects faces in an image/video...
Throughtek P2P/Cloud Solution Profile on Nov 15, 2018
Many IoT manufacturers either do not have the capabilities or the interest to develop their own cloud management software for their devices....
ASIS Offering Custom Research For Manufacturers on Nov 15, 2018
Manufacturers often want to know what industry people think about trends and, in particular, the segments and product they offer.  ASIS and its...
Hikvision Silent on "Bad Architectural Practices" Cybersecurity Report on Nov 14, 2018
A 'significant vulnerability was found in Hikvision cameras' by VDOO, a startup cybersecurity specialist. Hikvision has fixed the specific...
French Government Threatens School with $1.7M Fine For “Excessive Video Surveillance” on Nov 14, 2018
The French government has notified a high-profile Paris coding academy that it risks a fine of up to 1.5 million euros (about $1.7m) if it...
Integrator Credit Card Alternative Divvy on Nov 13, 2018
Most security integrators are small businesses but large enough that they have various employees that need to be able to expense various charges as...
Directory of Video Intercoms on Nov 13, 2018
Video Intercoms, also known as Video Door-Phones or Video Entry Systems, have been growing in the past decade as more and more IP camera...
Beware Amazon Go Store Hype (Tested) on Nov 13, 2018
IPVM's trip to and testing of Amazon Go's San Francisco store shows a number of significant operational and economic issues that undermine the...

The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.

About | FAQ | Contact