How Does a Monkey Make for a Good Pet?

Too Strong

Monkeys make terrible pets. Even the smallest of pet monkeys, like capuchins or spider monkeys, are extremely strong for their size, and are armed with formidable teeth and claws. When monkeys play or throw tantrums, they don't know their own strength and can be very destructive. Although beating each other up is normal in monkey society to establish a pecking order, it's not acceptable in a human household.

Too Expensive

Monkeys cost thousands of dollars. They also get sick a lot, which means thousands more dollars in vet bills. You may be hard-pressed to find a vet who will be willing to work with monkeys. In many places in the world, owning a monkey is illegal. If an illegal pet monkey is discovered, you may face fines on top of all other expenses, and the monkey will be taken from you.

Too Unpredictable

Monkeys cannot be trained to be reliable pets like dogs, cats or birds. They cannot be toilet trained or house trained, because in the wild, they go where they want when they want. Monkeys are so incredibly intelligent that they will purposefully act in ways to get you upset just for their own amusement. Also, some pet monkeys suddenly become sexually attracted to humans and humans only, which leads to some embarrassing and dangerous moments.

Too Sick

Although dogs and humans share about 400 illnesses, pet monkeys and people have even more illnesses in common. Monkeys can catch and give you everything from cold sores to AIDS and hepatitis B.

Resources

• Experts Say Monekys Make Ferocious, Unmanageable Pets