How to Care for a Pet Monkey

By eHow Pets Editor

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Caring for a monkey in your home can be challenging, and monkeys aren't good pets for everyone. But if you truly want to own a monkey and you can invest a great deal of time and money in it, living with another species of primate can be very rewarding.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Step1
Understand what a monkey is. It is not a child, though it is a primate. It is not a domesticated animal. It is more needy than a dog or a cat, and sometimes even more needy than a human child. The better you can understand a monkey, the more successful you will be in your endeavor to cohabit with one.
Step2
Feed your pet a commercial monkey diet and supplement with table food, watching closely for what foods may give the monkey diarrhea or an upset tummy. Monkeys usually like fruit, berries, seeds, nuts and insects. They also need sun to synthesize vitamin D and citrus for the vitamin C.
Step3
Invest your time. A monkey requires constant companionship for its entire life. Even after it bites you, even after it bites your spouse or guest, you must be able to forgive aggressive behavior, never hold a grudge and move on.
Step4
Discuss with a veterinarian what tests the monkey needs and what to vaccinate for; this will depend on the type of monkey and where you live.
Step5
Try diapers. They may save you from a lot of mess at least while your monkey is young. As adults, monkeys will usually go wherever they want, but if you toilet train the monkey while it is a baby, it just might stick.
Step6
Monkey-proof your home. Lock medicines away; putting them up high won't work. Supply toys to distract the monkey.
Step7
Get more than one monkey. This may help them stay happy in captivity. A maladjusted monkey can develop horrifying behaviors.

Tips & Warnings

  • A cage, if you choose to use one, should be at least 6 by 6 by 6 feet, and remember that you will need 1 for indoors and 1 for outdoors.
  • Use creative problem-solving methods. Boredom is a big problem with monkeys because they are so smart. Outwit the monkey, and try to understand its motivations if it develops behavior problems.
  • Monkeys can develop behavior problems that may embarrass you, like masturbating in front of your kids or guests and smearing feces on your walls.
  • Monkeys can transmit and carry diseases transmissible to humans, such as herpes B, hepatitis A, tuberculosis, parasites and upper respiratory infections.

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eHow Article: How to Care for a Pet Monkey

eHow Pets Editor

eHow Pets Editor

Category: Pets

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