Quote Originally Posted by JBallPython View Post
Is there any sort of information that would show that too much vanilla is bad for the rats?

I know I had a male rat that had VERY pungent urine, I tried just a few drops of vanilla extract in his water bottle...it didn't do any good until I started to increase the ratio of vanilla to water.
Not so much that it's bad for them, but that it tastes horrible when there is too much. Did I not make that clear?

Rats will not drink something if they can barely stand the taste. Rats have very well developed senses of taste and like sweet things, but will refuse to drink water that tastes bad and will easily become dehydrated and sick. If you find it enjoyable, then chances are they will too (and love you for it).

Anyways, male rats do have a scent to them, but it shouldn't smell so strong that you get HAVE to put vanilla in the water to even breathe around them. That may be a clue there are other things going on.