PetziConnect from Petzila Inc. is an interactive pet device that allows you to see, talk to and treat your pets when you’re away from home via your mobile.

OK, so it’s basically a webcam and speaker in a box that dispenses dog biscuits linked via an app, but it’s such a stupid idea it may work.

The company pitches the use case as follows:

You and your pet bring each other so many moments of pure joy.  If you could, you’d always be there to brighten each others day, but sometimes you’re not able to be together.

Awww.

Thats why we created the PetziConnect, a new way for you to treat your pet and share a happy moment together, from anywhere, at anytime.

PetziConnect includes a HD camera and “crystal-clear sound” to allow you to connect with your pet, delivering an experience the company hypes as “almost as good as being there.”

Along with a built-in speaker allowing you to scare your animals when they least expect it (or does it make them think you can magically turn into a talking box?), owners can also dispense treats throughout the day at the push of a button.

The device connects through your home Wifi network, and the app to operate it runs on Android and iOS.

You can take photos and videos of your now confused pets who are trying to work out why a box on the wall is talking to them, and share them on social media, or interact through the PetziConnect social network, where you have “access to a vibrant community of other pet lovers” PetziConnect promises.

PetziConnect also comes with scientific backing according to their spiel: “a team of engineers, animal trainers and behaviorists helped design every aspect of the PetziConnect to ensure that it delivers a mutually rewarding fun experience for both pet and owner.”

I asked blogger and serial pet owner Kellie Anderson what she thought of it for a second opinion. Her words were: “I think it is a great idea but I hope it would be very strong. Once a dog works out it has treats in it, I don’t see it lasting long.”

People can be highly obsessive when it comes to pets, often treating them as if they were children. Some people write pet blogs, and others disturbingly pretend to be their pets on Twitter. The tl;dr version: some pet owners border on crazy.

A stupid idea such as PetziConnect might actually work in that market.

If you need Prozac to deal with being away from your pet for more than an hour, PetziConnect offers a healthier alternative at a discounted $169 from their Indiegogo page, and it has started shipping.

All images: credit PetziConnect…and they’ve not been edited.