First-time gerbil owner: Is a cage or tank better for my gerbil?

The best way would be to put it in one of the back seats, taking the front seat back as far as possible and fill the gap between the front seat and the cage with an appropriate size object, this way the cage will be fixed and won't move.

If the cage is cleaned frequently the ventilation may be adequate however I would be very nervous that the hamster would escape from these open areas. They can be very agile climbers and are escape artists. I would recommend a commercially available cage instead to ensure that your hamster does not escape! Also, even if you place a mesh over the area, if the hamster can get to the corner/edge of the plastic they can easily chew the plastic and escape that way!

Do not use an aquarium tank. A suitably sized (and secure) wire cage with a solid bottom is recommended. HabiTrail and Kaytee have excellent choices for cages. Buy the largest cage you can afford and fit in the chosen space. You can use recycled paper bedding such as CareFresh or Yesterday's News. Aspen shavings or pellets are also acceptable. Do not use pine or cedar shavings as these can be irritating. A commercial diet from Kaytee or VitaKraft can be fed from a ceramic bowl. A ceramic bowl prevents gnawing and tipping. A non chewable water bottle can be hung to provide fresh water daily. Other necessary items include chew toys and an exercise wheel. Find a veterinarian experienced in treating pocket pets and have your new addition examined to confirm good health. Feed, water and exercise daily. Clean the cage weekly. These little guys require very little care and can provide lots of entertainment. Congrats and enjoy!

Thanks for reaching out. Some animal tame better than others. The key is gaining their trust, often with the use of treats. Once they're used to your hand in the cage with slow and deliberate movements, leave the hand flat and allow them to crawl over it. Next your can attempt to lift them from below. Grabbing them from above often results in fear biting. Not sure if your asking about breeding or bedding. The bedding should be spot cleaned daily, as gerbils will often choose a corner to use as a toilet. The flooring should be a solid bottom to prevent leg damage. It can be covered with a softer material such as recycled paper products, which are absorptive and non-toxic. Many of the wood products are aromatic and damage lungs if inhaled over long periods of time. Good luck.

I recommend choosing the larger cage for sweet pea. Hamsters like to have separate bathroom / toilet areas well away from their bedding, so the one with the biggest base area is the best. Height of cage is less important. Also provide safe chewing sticks for her to gnaw her teeth on.

You can use an exercise ball with s gerbil. Be sure to keep it away from stairs or ledges. You can also try a different wheel or exercise apparatus. There could be a personal preference. Make sure the cage is big enough for 2 gerbils to prevent stress or bullying.

Thanks for reaching out about your rat. Wire bars are a mild concern as their feet or legs can slip through, leading to sprain or even fractures. A solid bottom cage is preferred for rodents because of this. Good luck.