So you’ve finally decided to get a monkey as a pet. Congratulations – which breed have you chosen? Pet monkeys are usually sold shortly after birth, so you’ll want to ensure that you can duplicate the care that his mom would have provided for him. And your choice of the huge selection of monkey cages online is critical as he’s going to grow and needs plenty of space for playing, climbing and swinging. Get a bigger one than you think he’ll need, keeping in mind that if it’s indoors, he’ll need lots of natural light. You can also provide full-spectrum lamps for him as light is essential for skeletal growth.
Toys. He’ll need to swing, so a non-toxic tree would be ideal – or a toy tire hanging from the roof. Some monkey cages come equipped with accessories which are made of wood – plastic ones are no match for his sharp little teeth. He’ll need a place to hide such as a hollowed out log; monkeys are very active and social but need their downtime too. Keep changing the toys and scenery so that he’s stimulated and don’t forget that he’ll need a couple of hammocks to sleep and swing in. These considerations are so important otherwise you may find that your new pet becomes depressed – please, do your due diligence before bringing him home with you.
What about his diet? As he’s growing, he needs lots of protein which is available in commercially produced monkey food – and he’ll need it twice a day. But he also needs fruits and vegetables – bananas spring to mind. Bamboo, cooked carrots (for baby monkeys), fruits, nuts, seeds, berries – and give him cold boiled eggs as they’re pure protein. They also enjoy live protein like bugs, grasshoppers, worms, etc. Fresh figs would be a treat as this is a favorite food in the wild. Many monkey owners string some dried fruits together and hang them in their monkey cages – they love tearing it apart.
There are some diseases which can be transmitted from monkeys to humans (zoonotic) and your new pet will need a thorough check-up by a veterinarian, specializing in monkeys. He’ll also need an annual check-up and vaccines to keep both you and him healthy.
Getting a monkey as a pet requires a lot of commitment – and it’s for life – his life. Cats and dogs are much easier to manage and keep healthy, but your baby monkey is very different. Some states do not permit monkeys as pets, so ensure that you’re not breaking any state laws by owning one. And some veterinarians are not allowed to treat monkeys in some areas – please make sure you research everything your new pet needs before you bring him home.
As noted earlier, his accommodations are critically important. Although there is a wide selection of monkey cages in specialty stores and online, you might give some thought to building your own. Again, check out your state’s requirements before you start and keep in mind that your little guy is going to spend a lot of time figuring out how to escape. PVC is recommended as he won’t be able to tear it asunder. The floor should be of chain-link or strong mesh as monkeys are messy and throw their food around. Monkey cages need daily cleaning to keep him healthy.
A last word – once they reach sexual maturity, monkeys are less affectionate. These are wild animals and no matter how much you try, taming them can be very difficult.
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