Capuchin monkeys will throw poop if they’re feeling aggressive. One staple of many primates is the tendency to throw feces. Some do this to ward off predators or to display dominance. Others may do it simply because they’re bored. Luckily, in the case of Capuchin monkeys, there is a way to keep them from throwing their poop.
It should also be noted that Capuchin monkeys will sometimes play with their own urine as well. They’re not always the cleanest of animals.
Why Do Capuchins Throw Poop?
Capuchins throw poop when they’re feeling aggressive. You may not think that your monkey will throw poop when it’s still a baby. However, that’s because it’s a baby. As a baby, they’re reliant on their mother for food and protection. They’ll likely bond closely with you if you happen to buy the monkey when it’s a baby.
Yet as soon as the Capuchin reaches adolescence, it will start to display aggressive behavior. Part of this may be because it’s trying to establish dominance in the primate hierarchy. One method they’ll use to display their dominance is by throwing poop and urine.
Another reason your Capuchin may throw their poop is because of boredom. Monkeys have a lot of energy. In their natural habitat, Capuchin monkeys spend their time climbing trees and swinging from tree to tree. Most homes can’t provide that same kind of environment. They may want to climb bookshelves and other objects, but even those are limited compared to what they’re used to.
To keep your Capuchin from becoming bored and throwing their feces around, you should have a large enclosure either in your home or in the backyard. If you can transform a room in your house into the monkey’s new playroom, that would be ideal. Otherwise, you’ll need a large enclosure in the yard with plenty of things for them to climb on and swing around.
By giving them plenty of exercises, your monkey will be less likely to throw their poop out of boredom.
Another reason may be because of their diet. If they’re not receiving the nutrition they need, then some monkeys may throw their poop or play with their urine in an attempt to get some nutrients in their body. It’s a similar case in canines and other pets. If their basic nutritional needs aren’t being met, then they’ll attempt to gain them elsewhere.
This doesn’t mean you need to feed your monkey more. It means that you need to examine their diet and determine if they’re getting enough fruits, vegetation, and animal protein. Because monkeys eat bugs, small birds, fruits, and vegetables in the wild, it can be difficult to mimic this exact diet in your home. Yet by supplementing them with baby food and making sure they’re able to eat fruits and vegetables regularly, you should be able to fortify their diet.
One additional step you can take to ensure they’re enjoying their meal is by hiding it in their enclosure. Capuchins typically have to forage for their food. They’re used to climbing and digging and searching for it. By mimicking that, you can keep your monkey entertained and well-fed.
Can Capuchin Monkeys Be Potty Trained?
You may find some success with potty training your pet Capuchin when they’re younger. This is because they’re more willing to listen to their bonded mother or father. Yet as they mature, this ability is either forgotten or willfully opposed.
Instead, Capuchins will show defiance by throwing their poop or even by playing with their urine.
If you wish to attempt to potty train your monkey, then it may be able to be possible to some degree. For example, you may be able to train them to use the bathroom in a certain area. You can’t expect them to actually use a toilet of some sort, however.
Instead, you can take them to a specific cage that’s used primarily for their bathroom needs. You should reward them with a special treat that they only receive if you use the bathroom inside of that cage. This encourages them to continue to use that area to use the bathroom and makes cleaning up after them easier.
How Do You Deal With A Capuchin That’s Throwing Poop And Playing With Their Pee?
If your monkey continues to throw poop and plays with their urine, then you need to first determine the cause. Is it because they’re bored? Do they need better nutrition? Or are they just acting out? You can tell if it’s boredom by implementing new things for them to climb on and giving them new toys. You can tell if it’s nutritional by changing their diet. Finally, if those two aren’t the reasons, then you can probably chalk it down to aggressive behavior.
In the case of aggressive behavior, the best thing you can do is deny them access to their poop and urine. This can be done by having them wear a diaper. This video shows how easy it can be to put a diaper on your monkey when it’s properly trained. The key is to start them off with diapers when they’re very young. This ensures they’re used to them.
You can keep your monkey from sticking their hand inside of their diaper by also including a belt. Wrapping it around their waist and diaper keeps the diaper tight against their body.
When it comes time for a diaper change, be sure that you thoroughly clean them before putting on the next diaper.
If you want your monkeys to run around without a diaper, then it will fall on you to regularly and quickly clean up any messes they leave behind. You can encourage the monkey to leave the area by leading them away with a special treat. Then you can clean up their mess before they can get into it.
Finally, you can try your hand at potty training to help you control where the messes are located and quickly cleaning them.