Quote Originally Posted by littleindiangirl View Post
I have never personally tried the vanilla with the rats, but word of advice, if you put too much vanilla in the water, and it turns color, it tastes HORRIBLE (bitter and ickky).

You'd have more of a chance of deterring the rats from drinking the water which concentrates their urine (stinky) and leaves them dehydrated.

I would just start out not using vanilla, especially if your keeping them in the garage. Put a fan on them for when it's hot out, and just change them every week. If you really cannot stand the smell, (which I personally dont smell anymore! LOL), then try out with a couple of drops of vanilla in a bottle of water and go from there. I hear immitation works the best, real vanilla is too alcoholic tasting and expensive.

Ok that sounds good! hopefully I will get some rats and mice from petco within the next 2 or 3 weeks or so. Maybe even sooner. thanks for all the info!

Oh, just one more thing, how long do rats and mice live for?