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PRIMATES AS PETS


This information is provided by Provet for educational purposes only.

You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

If you look at this photograph of a small, appealing primate :

(a squirrel monkey) 

you would be forgiven for thinking

that it would make a good pet BUT .....

   

appearances can be deceptive ! 

What you can't see on the photograph sequence is my finger just out of shot !!

In general, primates are not good animals to choose as pets. There are several reasons why Provet does not recommend them to be kept in the average household :

  • They are wild animals that should be left in the wild
  • They do not fit in well with human households - eg they are not easy to housetrain
  • Their behaviour is unpredictable
  • They can be aggressive and even dangerous
  • Primates share infectious diseases (called zoonoses) with humans so two-way transmission is possible
  • Primates carry some very serious diseases which can affect humans
  • In many countries the Law prevents you from keeping  primates anyway.

 

Updated October 2013