Happy, healthy pets: safe, natural pet treats and toys.(petcare: holistic hints for your furry friends)

In previous columns, I've detailed some virtues of natural pet foods, but this month I want to focus on other healthful products--treats, toys and accessories-for your four-legged companions.

Carrot sticks are a favorite treat for my German Shepherd, Sarge, but I also bake wholesome snacks for both Sarge and my three cats. If, like many people, you don't have the time to bake for your pets, and instead you buy heats from the grocery store, be careful. Check the list of ingredients in these snacks. Chances are you'll find that many of them contain high levels of preservatives, dyes, and dubious ingredients such as meat meal.

On the other hand, many health food stores carry treats made from whole grain flours, organic vegetables and oils. Halo, Purely For Pets produces a line for both dogs and cats called Liv-A-Littles. These freeze-dried treats are made with US Department of Agriculture approved beef, chicken and cod. Meyer Country Farms Ltd. recently sent me a package of dog treats for Sarge. Their Bellyrubs Organic Dog Treats are made with organic ingredients, including peanut butter, apples, bananas, brown rice flour, barley flour, and rolled oats.

Not to forget the felines, my cats enjoy wheat grass and catnip. Both plants can be grown in pots on a sunny windowsill.

Toys

Rawhide bones should never be given to dogs as chewing toys. Such products are dangerous, even deadly, should a dog get a piece lodged in his throat.

Hard nylon bones have become quite popular, but these also can pose a danger to some breeds. My Newfoundland could spend hours chewing on them with little damage to the nylon bone. But my German Shepherd can bite off a piece in 5 minutes. This can be hazardous, which is why a dog with a nylon bone should always be supervised.