Monkeys As Pets

Generally, a monkey doesn't make a good pet. While a pet monkey is usually as easy to keep clean as a human infant (by diapering), monkeys that have reached puberty usually remove their diapers and cannot be toilet trained. They require constant supervision and mental stimulation.

A bored pet monkey can become extremely destructive and may even go so far as to smear or throw their own feces. Most adolescent monkeys begin to unpredictably bite and pinch adults and children alike. Any surgical means to stem this behavior (such removing the teeth or fingertips of the monkey) is widely considered cruel.

While a majority of pet monkey owners find their monkeys too difficult to manage as pets and find other homes for them (such as zoos and monkey rescues), some people report having long and rewarding relationships with their pet monkey.

It is usually difficult to find veterinarians who will treat a pet monkey. Even many exotic animal veterinarians are not familiar with them. In most large metropolitan areas it is illegal to keep a pet monkey in the home; even in places where they are legal, a USDA government permit is usually required to own them legally in the United States. Their legal status as pets varies in other countries.