HERE COMES SANTA CLAWS.

Byline: - Barbara De Witt and Diana Peyton

Pets who have made it on to our holiday shopping lists may be handsomely pampered and primped this year as gift options abound. There are even presents for hamsters.

Little critters who need privacy in the cage can repair to a personal ``powder room'' with the Habitrail Waste Compartment for Hamsters. Its creator, Rolf C. Hagan Corp., suggests the item can also be used as a sleeping space in the cage. Web site: www.hagen.com.

For cats, catnip-scented gift paper, available from Kong Toy, is coated with catnip nectar for playful, curious felines - available in two patterns at www.kongcompany.com, on the Web.

Stuff your feline's stocking with holiday mice and Kris Krinkle noisy cat toys that come in red, green and white.

Dogs can be truly pampered.

Dog Generation Paris, which introduced an uppity-smelling, veterinarian-approved fragrance last year, has added Oh My Dog! Shampoo, a special body shampoo formulated as mild as baby shampoo to eliminate stinging eyes. Unlike baby shampoo, which tends to make a pet's fur dry and dull, this specialized shampoo leaves the coat shiny and soft - as well as sweet-smelling. It's $20 at Macy's stores, sold in the cosmetics aisle.

Once your dog's all cleaned up, you can dress him up in Michael Simon's novel pet sweaters that include a reindeer suit that lights up, candy cane and crystal-beaded snowflake designs for the holidays, as well as a basic-but-beaded black sweater for evening strolls. They're $75 each at Cosette's Closet, 9903 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, and at www.michaelsimon.com. For more information, call [phone].

A well-dressed pooch also deserves its own designer sofa, and local decorator Ned Walton has the goods. At his Bowser Boutique at 3278 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, he creates scaled-down furniture classics in a choice of designer fabrics to accommodate dogs as hefty as 250 pounds. For details, call [phone] or see his Web site at www.bowserboutique.com.

Don't forget the drinks on your Christmas morning walk. The Handi-Drink 2, made by Pet Crew, is a portable water bottle and serving dish for your dog, with an attached loop that makes it convenient for carrying on a belt.

And any dog or cat who gets the jitters waiting for Santa can get relief with a good massage from the Good Vibrations vibrating pet massage brush, sans battery, ready for use.

Giving a kitty or puppy as a gift? Help with homecoming adjustments can be found in ``The Kitten Owners Manual'' or ``The Puppy Owners Manual,'' published by Storey Books and available at local bookstores.

Of course, you can't go wrong with treats. And for dogs there's a new organic option available this year: Chewtastics' dog chews and meat patties. All varieties are 100 percent natural and were enjoyed by our test dogs (of course, most dogs will eat just about anything). Prices range from $1.49 to $19.99 (for bigger packs). For the more finicky felines, try Chewtastics' Furry O's, a catnip sprinkled treat, for $3.99. Products can be found at Petco and many other pet stores.

But hurry! Just five days left until Christmas!

CAPTION(S):

6 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Cat-nip scented gift wrap

(2 -- color) Habitrail Waste Compartment for Hamsters

(3 -- color) ``Candy Canine'' pet sweater

(4 -- color) Oh My Dog! shampoo, eau de toilette spray

(5 -- 6 -- color) ``The Puppy Owners Manual,'' ``The Kitten Owners Manual''