Monkeys present a challenge in terms of being taking care of. There are some states that won't even allow you to keep exotic pets. Monkeys are wild animals that are more adept at living in their natural habitat, so helping them make an adjustment to your home can be an expensive and daunting task. It can be accomplished, though, but you must make certain that you learn the specifics of what to do and are willing to properly care for a monkey. You must be dedicated to such a responsibility, so only get a monkey as a pet if you intend to be a dependable owner.
Instructions
1. Get a secure, but very roomy cage and take care of it. Monkeys need to be able to get adequate exercise and a cramped cage will not allow this. Put in added goodies, such as toys and a swinging bar to keep your pet from getting restless. You need to keep the cage consistently clean, since monkeys do tend to make quite a mess. They drop food and may shred up toys, paper and other things inside the cage. Their feces and urine have an extremely pungent odor so clean-up should be immediate to keep the cage from becoming unbearably smelly and to keep your monkey healthy. Use a good disinfectant at least a couple of times daily for maximum cleaning results. Make sure that the cage is always locked when your monkey is confined to it, because unsecured cages can easily be gotten out of by these intelligent animals.
2. Feed your monkey an adequate diet. As tempted as you may be to feed it table food, this is not always appropriate for his nutritional benefits. Feed your primate such things as bananas, apples, oranges and other fruits, raw vegetables, unsalted nuts, crickets and small reptiles, such as lizards. Resist giving your monkey foods that have processed sugar, as they can raise insulin levels and cause health problems for him.
3. Be aware of any indications of aggression and be cautious about who you choose to let around your monkey. These animals can become a risk if they feel frightened or nervous, which they often do with strangers. Some signs of aggression include screaming, teeth-bearing and biting. Try to find out what actions trigger such behavior and work on discovering ways to calm your monkey down. The safest rule of thumb is not to allow strangers or children to approach him.
4. Take your primate to at least one annual visit to the vet. This may require you to travel out of the way, since many veterinarians are not knowledgeable enough about monkeys. Before you even make the decision to get a monkey as a pet, you need to find out the location of the closest vet, to make sure your animal will have access to good health care. Monkeys need to be given a thorough medical examination at least once a year, as well as have a professional who can deal with any pet health emergencies.
5. Commit time to your pet. Too many folks buy monkeys, because it's something "different." The fact is that a monkey, like any other pet, requires true dedication of your time, probably more than a conventional animal does. Monkeys are social creatures and if you leave them by themselves for too extended a period of time, it can result in diminished physical health, moodiness and aggression. They need to be stimulated mentally on a regular basis and to have you interact with them. You should not leave your pet in a cage 24/7. You need to take him out of the cage and leash him to go on an exercise walk, at least 4 or 5 times a week. It is advisable, however, never to let your monkey roam freely about as it can cause quite a bit of havoc in your house and be a possible danger to others.
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