Vanilla Extract..how much?

Hey guys. I'd thought I'd try the vanilla in the water to cut down on smell (I'll try anything to cut down on the smell :) )


Where do you all get your vanilla? The stuff in the grocery store would be very expensive for a five gallon water reservoir for my rat rack . . . .


Alice

I get the small vanilla from Wal-mart it really doesn't matter which brand it is , I have 8 adult rat's and a weanling and the vanila last's a long time. I'd try it out once so you can verify how much you need.

When it comes to supplies like vanilla you can go with the extract. Pure vanilla is going to cost you a fortune so the vanilla extract is more cost effective. For larger amounts check out restaurant supply stores like Gordon Food Services or even Sam's Club or the like.

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Originally Posted by Alice

Hey guys. I'd thought I'd try the vanilla in the water to cut down on smell (I'll try anything to cut down on the smell :) )


Where do you all get your vanilla? The stuff in the grocery store would be very expensive for a five gallon water reservoir for my rat rack . . . .


Alice

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Sams club... i think 1/2 gallon jugs are like 3-5$?

The ferret product I use is called BIODOR. It is amino acids that, when added to the water, internally reduces the smell of body and stool odors. I can say that for my stinky little girls, it works. I stopped using it and I can very much tell that I have ferrets now. I plan on getting them back on it (it may take a few weeks to work so at first it is a gradual lessening of odor which may make you think it is not working.) But once you stop using...oh boy. I haven't used it on my rats yet. I am wondering if BIODOR would effect my snake....so I haven't used it yet.

Sorry guy's I do use the vanilla extract not pure vanilla.

Thanks all. Looks like I'll be making a trip to Sam's Club. :)

I tried the vanilla extract and it didn't seem to do anything. Oh well, ventilation is the key.

Well ventilation, regular bedding changes and not overcrowding I'd say are all keys to keeping smells down and the vanilla can only help that along. If you don't stay on top of the first three then vanilla's not going to do much...the key, in my mind, is great husbandry of the rodents.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

the key, in my mind, is great husbandry of the rodents.

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well i didn't see a caresheet for rats, so what is considered "great husbandry"?

My rats have a water supply, a food supply, a nice big & tall tub with no top so they an run around, yet they cannot escape, and that makes for good air flow (right?? :confuzd:) and they're on aspen bedding.

any changes i can make?