By Otto Rodríguez
PetLifePro.com
If you think adopting a dog or a cat entails a big commitment, that is nothing compared to having a monkey as a pet.
Caring for a monkey not only requires patience, lots of time and also money, but it’s one of the biggest commitments you’ll ever make. Some owners say bringing one home is almost like having a child, because they require extreme attention and, unlike dogs and cats, they can’t be left alone for extended periods of time.
Just take into account that the average lifespan of these species (squirrel, capuchins, spiders, and macaques), which are the most popular among monkey owners, is between 25 and 40 years. So, you get the picture.
If you insist a monkey pet is a solid fit in your life, here are some initial tips that will help you in that endeavor.
1) First things first
Find out if owning a monkey is legal in your state. Some of them allow the practice but have in place strict regulations about the conditions under which you care for a monkey.
2) Create the right conditions
A monkey’s cage must have plenty of space; as a rule of thumb, the bigger the better, because they need plenty of room to run around, explore and play, especially if they’re going to spend more than a couple of hours at a time in the cage. Experts say that if the enclosure is too small for the animal, it will become agitated and potentially aggressive. Though there is plenty of options buying a cage, some owners prefer to build their own, according to the pet’s size, characteristics and personal taste. If you decide to build one, we recommend not to cut corners, use the best materials and give it plenty of height and add other features that will allow your monkey to climb around.
3) Know your vet
It’s extremely important to establish a relationship with a vet that knows about and treats exotic animals. A regular veterinarian will not have the necessary expertise and equipment to care for a monkey.
3) It can be messy
Owning a monkey can be an extremely messy business because they aren’t easy to house-train, and they poop whenever and wherever they choose. Some owners resort to using diapers, but that is not recommended until monkeys mature.
4) Needed interaction
Monkeys need a lot of stimulation that only their owners can provide through a variety of interesting things for them to play with and pull apart. For example, try hiding food inside a box, or in a container with small holes that the monkey can reach one hand into, and have plenty of stuffed animals, balls and all kind of toys for pets. Experts recommend to switch out the toys frequently so the animal won’t get bored.
5) Make time to play
If you can afford it, two monkeys in the same cage are happier than being alone. Monkeys are social creatures, and when they’re left alone for long periods of time they grow anxious and unhappy, so you need to plan to spend a few hours daily playing with your monkey. As the bond gets stronger, he’ll start trusting you enough to be near you and accept all kind of play.
6) Have in mind these facts:
– Even a monkey who has bonded with a human as a baby may bite and attack his owner or become quite difficult to live with as an adult.
– Finding a sitter for your monkey can be quite difficult because they tend to bond with just the owner.
Having a monkey might prevent you from getting intimately involved with potential partners to whom the monkey has a negative reaction.
– Monkeys and children do not mix well, so that could keep you from starting a family.
