Dr. Shawn’s Blog

Primates As Pets: No, No, No!

What could be cuter than a tiny baby monkey snuggling up with you? The answer is probably not a whole lot, as baby monkeys strongly bond to their caretakers. If you love human babies, chances are you’ll love primate babies as well.
But as is the case with human babies, baby monkeys also grow up. And that’s when the problems start.
Monkeys make notoriously bad pets. Most people think that their pet monkeys will stay in the baby stage and always be cute and snuggly. However that is not the case. Monkeys go through their teenage stage as well and never seem to grow out of this difficult stage.
In the wild this stage occurs around puberty and monkeys begin flexing their muscles, challenging each other for dominance and authority. The older larger monkeys, especially the males, can easily put these teenagers in their place. As monkeys tend to be stronger than people (and bite a lot harder!,) it’s very difficult for people to maintain their dominance without risking injury.
One of the best descriptions I’ve heard of what it is like to own a pet monkey is this: imagine having a very difficult teenager, one that has the strength of several people, and always has diarrhea (that he likes to throw at you!). Doesn’t sound like a pet I’d like to have in my house.
I know that some of you that own monkeys might disagree with this assessment, but keep in mind that you really are in the minority. Monkeys just don’t make great pets, and we shouldn’t be inhumane and own one just because we can. Think of the poor animal rather than yourself. If you really want a good pet, work with your veterinarian to find the best species and type of pet for your lifestyle and household.