Hamsters and Celiac

[Zooceliac]

Hello, everyone. So, I have a question. I love animals, and i'm already dealing with 2 fish tanks and a gecko that all eat food containing gluten. I decided I want another pet. A hamster to be exact. The only problem is, as you may know, hamsters diets are entirely gluten filled. Does anyone own a hamster here? I had a hamster once but I did not deal with the food, or anything relating with the hamster, except buying things for it, when I was in 5th grade. I was recently diagnosed with Celiac (On the 24th of Christmas- yeah, great present, right?) so i'm not sure if I can have a hamster. Its going to be in my room this time so I'm a little worried.

Thank you!  ?

[kareng]

Are you going to eat it’s food? ? Wash your hands after you feed or handle it.  

[Zooceliac]

  On 7/14/2018 at 2:53 AM, kareng said:

Are you going to eat it’s food? ? Wash your hands after you feed or handle it.  

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Well, of course not, but i've heard stories of people getting sick with the hamster food just being near them through the dust the food carries when you place it.

Who would eat hamster food, though. ?

[Bree J]

I have a hamster and I kiss his back sometimes and hold him a lot, I just never touch my face til I wash my hands after I handle him. Hamsters are very clean animals, mine does a dust bath every day, sometimes twice. Mine isn't where I sleep but I play with him almost every day, and i'm okay!

[kareng]

  On 7/14/2018 at 3:06 AM, Zooceliac said:

Well, of course not, but i've heard stories of people getting sick with the hamster food just being near them through the dust the food carries when you place it.

Who would eat hamster food, though. ?

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Well...set it in the bowl carefully.  It isn’t like it’s really flying in the air.  Unless you put a fan in it or throw it in the air - it’s not going to float around the room.  Enjoy your pets.  

[Ennis-TX]

Just be careful the the food and avoid foods that would have a "dust". I found with my bearded dragon this vitamin powder contained gluten and I had to toss it and just keep him on a varied diet. Also found this meal worms contain gluten, and I bet the crickets do but I handle them with feeding tweezers. Always wash you hands, and if handling the foods I use food service gloves so I do not have to worry about any sticking in my nails, or to my skin.

Is there such as a think as a whole foods hamster diet? Like buckwheat, gluten-free oats, veggies, fruit?

[Zooceliac]

I dont think so, I would have to prepare it myself which does get pretty pricey. I make my geckos food, which does contain gluten, and its also a powder called Pangea, but I never seem to get pain from the dust. I've also used calcium dust but that doesn't give me pain either. I have no idea if there is a whole foods hamster diet. I think whole foods only sells dog and cat food. 

[Ennis-TX]

  On 7/14/2018 at 2:31 PM, Zooceliac said:

I dont think so, I would have to prepare it myself which does get pretty pricey. I make my geckos food, which does contain gluten, and its also a powder called Pangea, but I never seem to get pain from the dust. I've also used calcium dust but that doesn't give me pain either. I have no idea if there is a whole foods hamster diet. I think whole foods only sells dog and cat food. 

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No like make a whole foods meal with unprocessed foods for your hamsters. Like salads and a bowl with say sunflower seeds, nuts, pumpkin seeds, gluten-free oats, buckwheat? Peices of dried or fresh fruit? You know a more natural diet. Look up what they would eat in the wild and build on that. There are other grains other then gluten ones you can feed them instead, and seeds/nuts are gluten free just make sure to get unsalted ones.