A Guide to the Best of Southern California : PETS : Treats for a Dog-Eat-Dog World

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP for the pampered pet. Fido’s snacking in style these days--licking his chops, in fact, as he enjoys the flavor and texture of a rawhide treat in the shape of Dad’s slippers. Lick Your Chops, in attempting to create the perfect gift for the family feline or pooch, jumped into the pet-treat business with such goodies as doggie lollipops, cookies, French fries and popcorn. The slippers, which are flat-form rawhide, retail for $10 per pair.

“Why shouldn’t the dog get a present, too?” asks company spokesperson Jim Rowlett. What four-legged creature could resist pet pasta? or pet bagels? The snacks, developed by a Connecticut veterinarian, are healthful (made from extruded potato, whole wheat and rawhide) and also help clean and strengthen an animal’s teeth (many pet owners believe they can help prevent problems with gums in older dogs).