How to Recognize the Challenges of Owning a Monkey

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Research Monkeys

Step 1:
Speak to zoologists to find that monkeys have not been domesticated. They are wild animals who remain wild throughout their lives. They will bite.
Step 2:
Understand that monkeys cannot be trained to use a toilet. Constantly cleaning up after a monkey is just one of the challenges of monkey ownership.
Step 3:
Find that a monkey's behavior changes when they reach adolescence and stays that way. Many monkeys are put to sleep every year after they turn on their owners and cause serious injuries.
Step 4:
Visit websites like Pet Monkey Info to read about monkeys (see Resources below). Monkeys are quite smart, which actually makes them poor pets. They can escape cages easily and tear your home apart.

Recognize the Costs of Owning Pet Monkeys

Step 1:
Visit pet monkey breeders to find that buying a pet monkey can cost between $2,000 and $60,000. This is just the first of many expenses. You will have to pay build a habitat for your new pet, pay high veterinary bills and buy special foods and medications.
Step 2:
Prepare yourself to pay for permits, lawyers fees or fines depending on which state you live in. Possessing pet monkeys is illegal in many states, which may land you in legal troubles.
Step 3:
Locate a vet who will treat your monkey. Primate vets are rare, so this can be a major challenge to owing a monkey. Beyond vet bills, you may have to drive several hours to a vet with a monkey in the car.
Step 4:
Look into monkey cages. Cages must be quite large for your monkey to stay healthy and happy. Experts recommend at least a six foot high cage for the smallest of monkeys. Cages easily run to thousands of dollars.

Recognize the Time Required to Care for Monkeys

Step 1:
Realize that monkeys are extremely social animals. Especially if you plan on owning only one monkey, you will need to spend many hours with your pet.
Step 2:
Ask a primate vet about cleaning you monkey's cage. Cages need to be thoroughly cleaned every day. You will also need to wash down the cage with an animal friendly disinfectant once per week.

Tips & Warnings

Sexually mature monkeys become much more aggressive than they are as babies.

Resources

Pet monkey articles at Pet Monkey Info

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