Keeping a monkey as a pet can be a challenging task, but it can be enormously rewarding and you will have a joyful companion for life. Caring for it takes a lot of time, money and patience and is one of the biggest commitments you can ever make. If you're the kind of special person who can accommodate a pet monkey, start researching what might be the best fit. Provide her with a sturdy cage outfitted with lots of toys and be prepared to spend many hours playing with her and helping her stay calm. If you want to know more about what it takes to share your home with a monkey read on.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare to Welcome the Monkey
Step 1. Research monkey species
Monkeys fall into the order of primates, which are divided into New World primate families (they are smaller, arboreal monkeys from South America) and Old World primate families (large, both land and arboreal monkeys of Asia and Africa). Each type of monkey has unique characteristics that are crucial to adaptability as a pet. Before deciding which type to take, you need to do a lot of research on the characteristics of each species. Read books, talk to other owners, and get to know as many types of monkeys in person as possible.
- The squirrel, capuchin, spider (ateles) and macaque monkeys are all types of monkeys that can be kept as pets. Some are more social, while others may be more nervous in character. However, they all have the same general care needs, even if the larger ones obviously need more space than the smaller ones.
- Chimpanzees and orangutans should never be kept as pets. They are much stronger than humans and can become very dangerous in the home.
Step 2. Be prepared to make a huge commitment
Bringing a monkey home is almost as challenging as deciding to have a baby. These are animals that require attention all day, every day and, unlike cats and dogs, cannot be left indoors for extended periods of time. Once the monkey establishes a bond with you, he will want to follow you wherever you go and if you try to leave him alone he will become bored, depressed and aggressive. Monkeys can live from 20 to 40 years, so bringing home one is a commitment that can last a significant part of your life, in which you have to accommodate all its needs. Before deciding to take one, therefore, carefully consider the following aspects:
- The monkey can become aggressive. When he is still a puppy he is addicted and sweet, like the children of humans. But when she reaches sexual maturity, which occurs around age 3 or 4, her behavior can become unpredictable. The monkeys are wild animals and, unlike cats and dogs, they have not been used to living in captivity with humans for over thousands of years. Even a monkey that bonds emotionally with a human being as a puppy can unpredictably bite and attack its owner and, when the animal grows up, coexistence can become very difficult.
- You will have to say goodbye to your free time. Monkeys cannot be left alone. They need constant attention and care, otherwise they could hurt themselves or someone else. And, since they tend to bond with only one person, it's hard to find a good "monkey-sitter" when you need to take some time for yourself.
- The monkey can prevent you from having the romantic relationships you want. It is an animal that tends to bond with few people. Keeping her at home may prevent you from having intimate relationships with a potential partner to whom the monkey has a negative reaction. Monkeys also don't get along well with children, so be aware that having one could prevent you from building a family.
- That said, if you are truly a unique person, with the temperament and discipline it takes to dedicate your life to the safety and care of your monkey, you can be rewarded with this incredible experience. Monkeys are intelligent, infinitely funny, and sometimes incredibly affectionate. Many people who share their lives with monkeys embrace the challenge and can no longer trade their time with their beloved pets for nothing else.
Step 3. Find out if it is legal to own a monkey in your country
In many states it is illegal to keep them as a pet and this legislation will likely extend to other countries in the future. For this reason, it can be difficult to cross another country or travel across the borders of various states if you own a monkey. In the United States, for example, it is illegal to import monkeys.
- Some states allow monkeys to be kept as pets, but have strict rules regarding the conditions under which they must be kept.
- Regulations for handling pet monkeys are different for each state. Find out about the legislation in your country to find out if there are any restrictions on pets that can be kept in the house.
Step 4. Find a dealer or breeder with an excellent reputation
When you decide it's time to get a monkey, do your local research to find a reputable dealer or breeder that you can trust. Make sure it has all the permits and licenses suitable for breeding these animals.
- Ask the dealer or breeder for references to contact another buyer who has already purchased a monkey from him. In this way you can check the health and behavior of the animal.
- Be prepared to pay even more than 1,000 euros for a monkey of any species. A baby squirrel monkey can cost more than 8,000 euros. Older ones cost less, but are much more difficult to manage once home.
- Before making a purchase, approach the monkey you are interested in and check if you can establish contact and thus understand if you are able to live with it.
- Never buy a monkey that comes from another country. It is illegal to import a monkey from foreign countries into one's territory.
Step 5. Find a veterinarian experienced in exotic animals in your area
Before bringing your monkey home, it is important to contact a veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals. A common vet does not have the skills and equipment necessary to care for monkeys. These animals tend to get some diseases similar to humans and often like humans, so be prepared for your monkey to get sick from time to time. An exotic pet vet is also able to provide you with all the information about your pet's needs and give you clear explanations of any behavioral issues.
Part 2 of 3: Providing Food and Shelter
Step 1. Build or purchase a cage for your monkey
She may also spend time outside her enclosure, but she will need a place to stay at night and at times when you can't play with her. Make sure the fence is big enough, the bigger the better. Monkeys need a lot of space to run around, explore, and play, especially if they spend more than an hour or two in the cage each time. If this is too small, the animal gets agitated and becomes potentially aggressive.
- You can buy a specific cage, but many owners prefer to build it themselves, so that they can customize the space for the animal. Steel or wooden posts with chains are excellent materials for building the cage. You should keep one outdoors and one indoors, or build an outdoor one connected to a heated shed that can provide shelter for the monkey.
- Be sure to follow local regulations regarding cage dimensions, entrances, and locks. In some cases, the regulations differ depending on the monkey species you own.
- Monkeys love to climb, so get a very tall one. Add branches, hanging ropes, and other features that allow your monkey to climb all over the space.
Step 2. Make the house monkey proof
Most monkey owners allow their pets to spend time indoors and not just in the cage. It is a curious and intelligent animal and will want to grab everything, so you need to be sure to remove any objects that could injure or damage it. Since the monkey can climb anywhere, you need to protect her and the house much more carefully than you would other animals or small children.
- Don't let the monkey reach anything that has a cable. Make sure all electronic equipment is out of his reach.
- Keep in mind that it will pull down the curtains, hit the chandeliers, and gnaw at the furniture. Remove all items that could be damaged.
- You can consider keeping one or two "rooms designated for the monkey", in which the animal can play freely and thus prevent it from accessing all the other spaces in the house. Remember, however, that monkeys can open door and window handles, so if you are going to let your pet loose in the room without checking it, you need to make sure the room is just as safe as the cage, with locks and bars on the windows.
Step 3. Keep the area where it lives clean
Monkeys keep their bodies neat and clean, but they leave dirty and messy wherever they go. They are not easy to tame at home and they do their business when and where they want. Some people put baby monkeys in diapers, but this becomes quite difficult when they become adults. Rather, it is best to schedule cleaning after the monkey has defecated, at least once a day, to maintain good hygiene in the cage and home.
Step 4. Provide her with bottles of clean water every day
He must always have access to fresh water, which he drinks from clean water bottles. You can use a baby bottle for this purpose. Some monkeys prefer to drink from a plate, while others like to have both options. Whichever method you use, you need to make sure that you never run out of water.
Step 5. Feed her cookies, fruit and vegetables
You should provide your monkey with monkey biscuits or any specific food you find on the market every day. These cookies contain the right combination of vitamins and minerals to meet his nutritional needs. In addition to cookies, monkeys like fresh or steamed fruits and vegetables.
- You can also give her grasshoppers, worms, cooked chicken (no spices), hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, rice, wheat, and dried fruit.
- Don't give her anything that you consider "junk food" for humans. You should definitely never feed her sugary treats, ice cream, baked goods, snacks, fast food, and raw meat.
- Depending on the monkey species you own, it may also be necessary to supplement its diet with vitamins. House-raised monkeys can be deficient in vitamin D due to lack of sun exposure and should therefore be supplemented in their diet.
Part 3 of 3: Taming the Monkey
Step 1. Give her many toys and stimuli
Monkeys need an infinite number of stimuli and different things to be happy. In the wild, they spend most of their time climbing trees and looking for food. Try to simulate the same environment in the cage and in accessible spaces around the house as well, providing your pet with lots of interesting things to play with and distract from.
- Try hiding food inside a box or container with small holes that the monkey can reach by inserting a hand. This way he will have fun trying to figure out how to get food.
- Give her stuffed animals, balls, and other toys for her to play with. Change her games often, so she doesn't get bored.
Step 2. Play with the monkey every day
They are social creatures, and when they are left alone for long periods of time they grow very unhappy. Make sure you set aside a few hours each day to play with your monkey. As you bond with her, she will begin to trust you to the point of climbing onto your body and hugging or even kissing you.
If you have more than one monkey, you need to spend less time with them. Many monkeys are happier when they are with other monkeys. If you can afford more than one, they can happily live together in the same cage
Step 3. Never punish a monkey
Hitting her or yelling at her will only make her scared and scared of you. Moreover, it is also a completely ineffective method if you want to control his behavior. Remember that the monkey is a playful animal and cannot be trained to do exactly what you want. Occasionally exhibit behaviors that you may not like. Punishing her only harms your relationship.
- The best way to deal with negative behaviors is to make sure she doesn't lack anything that will make her happy. Do you have enough stimulation every day? Are you getting a lot of exercise? Are you playing with her enough?
- Monkeys that are afraid or agitated may bite sometimes. Again, you cannot deal with it by punishing it. Instead, try to understand her moods and learn to leave her alone when she might be in the mood to bite.
Step 4. Don't let her play with strangers
It is not a good idea to take the monkey out in public, or to invite people home to play with it. Monkeys are too unpredictable. It could be taken away from you in an instant if an accident should happen. If the monkey scratches someone, an authorized officer could confiscate the animal and subject it to a rabies test. When exotic animals are confiscated, they are often subjected to euthanasia, because there is no law that requires a quarantine period for them (as is the case for pets such as dogs and cats).
If you have to go out of town and leave the monkey in someone else's care, make sure it's someone the monkey has met many times and has come to trust. If you leave her with a complete stranger, she could get stressed out and the consequences could become dangerous
Step 5. Have fun interacting with your monkey
Say her name when you feed her or give her a toy and she'll start learning. When she responds, give her a reward and praise her. Teach her the commands by showing her how to act. For example, if you say "dance" to her, she starts hopping and dancing. When she learns a trick, give her a treat and praise her.
Advice
- Unfortunately, many people find that as cute and sweet as little monkeys are, little monkeys change over time. The monkey is like a two-year-old who does not go beyond that age. It is not easy to get rid of them because many are left once they are grown up and there are few shelters to keep them. People who buy monkeys always want them small while adult ones don't fit well with new people. So unless you intend to keep her with you for life, at least forty years or more, it's best to opt for a different pet.
- When buying a monkey make sure it is a legal trade and not a black market and that they are real breeders, so do not buy immediately after seeing it, be patient and take a good look around.
- Remember that when the monkey is among other people, he must feel safe. She probably won't want to be picked up by others, even if they are your friends, they are strangers to her.
- Take her to the vet regularly and take notes on anything the doctor tells you.
- When washing it, use a very mild soap.
- Monkeys are lovable creatures and when they bond with you it is for life.
- Don't put the monkey in situations where it might bite. If your home is frequented by many visitors, keep it in a cage and tell people not to get too close.
- Don't keep a monkey that is too big in relation to your weight and physical strength. If you can't take it easily, it means it's too big for you and you could end up being overwhelmed by it when it becomes an adult.
- Experience has shown that this animal is not suitable for everyone. If you work full time, have children and are a very busy person, it may not be the pet for you!
- Monkeys are more fun when they are young, as they grow up they take on their own personalities that you may not like. Remember that they are wild animals, they are not like cats and dogs. You should think carefully before deciding to get a monkey as a pet.
Warnings
- Be aware that the monkey trade often hides a black market. People pay good money for the puppies, which are snatched from their mothers soon after birth. It is very traumatic for both of us. When you've got your puppy, you need to raise him to the best of his ability but as he grows up he will start acting like a two year old and won't be as fun anymore. Monkeys also live 40 years, so what if one day you don't want them anymore? She never lived in the middle of nature, how do you think she could survive? Abandoning monkeys is a difficult problem to solve.
- Find a vet before you get a monkey, an exotic pet veterinarian is the only one who can take care of the monkey, but be aware that it costs thousands of dollars.
- Be prepared to spend a fortune just to keep a single monkey in healthy conditions.
- You must have a license to keep it, as it is illegal to own or care for it without authorization.
- Learn about the costs and penalties for illegal possession of these animals. If you have a monkey and you don't have a license, go to your local zoo and explain how it is, you will probably not be fined this way.
