Primatepal.com

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  Where you find the keys to happy pets and their owners! 

June 12, 2009 by C. Haas

The most important part of healthy monkeys are their Diets! Many primates become over weight or develope diabetes as a result of bad feeding choices. As with humans, to much of anything can be bad for them. Sugar snacks and high carbs can cause unhealthy monkeys, these items should be given in small quantities. They are just as stated, snacks. Do not make the mistake of thinking of them as food. This is the diet I give my money and found it to be a great way to make sure it gets all it needs to grow healthy.

Monkey shake : mix 8ozs warm water-4 scoops formula powder- 1 container of baby food(stage2 gerber)-3 to 4 tabls. rice cereal and 1/2 flintstone complete vitamin. mix well and match sure consistency can flow through baby bottle nipple. 

You can alternate food one fruit one day, vegitable the next. Can also double this batch and use one full flintstone vitamin as your baby grows. (about 6 months old) This also helps with digestion and firms thier stools making diapering much easier to clean up after. Along with thier bottles it is important to start introducing them to solid foods.

Offering your monkey foods will help him build a healthy eating diet. Offer things you know to be healthy. Things like ...hard boiled eggs, carrots, green beans, wheat crackers, nuts, fresh fruits, cooked fish and chicken. Also be aware that they love insects and bugs, offer meal worms and other insects as well.

Beware of....Tomatoes are high in acid and should be avoided, but can be given in small quantities. I only give my monkey one or two cherry tomatoes a week. Also, NO RED MEAT. Red meat is high in protien which is hard for them to digest and can be lead to primal tendancies. No coachroaches, this can be toxic to your pet.

C. Haas

I hope this was helpful and please contact me if you have any questions, just click here!

June 12. 2009

Training a monkey is not like a dog or cat. They are not only full of energy and excitable, but they also have very short attention spans, leading them to become bored very quickly. Keeping that in mind, I found some easy ways to train without really training. Following these steps can help you have a well behaved friend and lasting bond with you monkey.

First things first. I have found training methods that gave me results fast and easy. Begin training from day one. Talk, talk, talk is the key. You and you monkey will be learning each others language and it is key to your pets behavior. There are times you will need to physically have to correct your monkey, however, save that for the bites and pinching.(yes they pinch too!)

Start simple. Positive reinforsement!

Your monkey will get things you dont want him/her to have. When this happens, I found that by saying thank you and taking the object worked great. Within two weeks he learned that thank you meant to let go of it. He may not give it to me out right, but he will drop it and let me get it. This is so great to have when he really starts to get objects at around one year old.

Diapering is usually done with all monkeys, at first it goes very well. I found many will challenge this later on. Could be he/she has a sore spot or diaper rash and so he fights to keep you from cleaning him. They cannot speak so be sure to keep an eye out for behavior issues that are not in it's normal range. Making sure that it is not diaper rash or whatnot is important. When you believe it is more of a "not wanting to be diapered", then training begins. Your little baby will scream and bark and be very upset, but do not let it win. Once they figure out you back down they will challenge everything. Hold it down and diaper. When you are finished, and probably tired, begin a massage on your baby. Your baby will soon want to be diapered again because it knows there is wonderful relaxing to follow.

I have found a simply way to know you will get what you want is positive reinforsement. Reaction to your pet is vital. If it behaves badly and you scream or get excited and start fighting hiom say for an object you will make this happen again and again. The monkey loves excitement and  will want to see you do that all over. It is best to try to stay positive. If it threw a toy and it hit you and say you didnt like that, yelling will only give reason to make you yell again. Ignore your pet and put toy away. Keep it that simple. Want him to play catch, throw a ball, say catch and as he does, clap and say "yeah, good boy/girl". This excitement will make him want to do it again. Giving a monkey a brush, say "brush" and as soon as it uses the brush on its hair or yours, say "Good boy/girl" and clap. It will soon realize that brush means brush hair and will put words to actions. 

Try not to react to bad behavior, ignore it, and reward good or wanted behavior excited and happy! This will give you a great relationship with your pet. Builds trust which is needed as they mature.

Any questions you may have with a unwanted behavior please contact me here!

May 5, 2009
 Dental hygene is very important and should not be over looked. Think of a toothache you may have had and what it can do to both your attitude and over all health. Primates have the same reaction.

Start your baby right away on learning teeth need to be cleaned. Use a childs toothpaste on a small toothbrush and let them chew on it. Be careful to watch over them as you don't want them to eat the brush. Make sure you also use the brush with your monkey to help clean them in a brushing manner. Starting at the youngest age possible is recommended to ensure an easy introduction and begins a great habit.

Canines, should they be pulled?

This is a question with many answers and I found it to be a personal choice. I do however, believe that in taming your pet into adulthood, this is vital. The natural defence of a monkey is biting. It is common for them to bite. A monkey with canines can change a simple nip into a large gash by mistake. The canines are very sharp and pointy, if they get snag during a nip, it can slice quickly like a razor. I believe removing the canines to be needed many times in training. I hear a lot about this subject and many disagree with canine remaoval. Keep in mind it is a personal choice.  They have many teeth, training not to bite is the answer. True enough, but when your monkey is being defiant, the canines can be a hazzard to you. Biting should never be tolerated but there will be a few times they will try and some will succeed. Canines make this very painful and stiches can be required. I believe canines should be removed for taming purposes at about 1 year old. When the adult canines come in they are even larger and stronger, then they should be removed as well. Make sure you find a vet that will do this for you and that you are comfortable with this process before you have it done. Your monkey feeds off your emotions and will know if you are not feeling good about this procedure, adding to a bad thing feeling for your monkey, We do not want this to be negative! Positive reinforsement is needed. Always ask your vet the what I should do, before and after the canine removal to make sure monkey gets through this with as little discomfort as possible.

To save on both exspense and my monkeys discomfort I chose to wait for the adults to come in and have just the adult canines removed. I have taken one bite that did cut me open. This was time to train not to bite. Want to know how this training is done? ask me here! Make biting not allowed even in play, this encourages the behavior. No teeth at any time should be the rule with your monkey.

• 1/3 part gum + 2/3 part water 
  
•  1/4 part banana + 1/4 part gum + 2/3 parts  water
  
• 1/3 part gum + 2/3 parts fruit juice
  

 Here is a list of primates at National Geographic I found and thought all should look at. It is inforative and interesting to monkey lovers.