How do you wash a monkey?

Question

If a monkey was dirty and it smelt, how would you wash it? It would object and struggle against your efforts and might even get frightened and violent.

Brilliant answers! But what if the dirty monkey lived in a family of monkey's and it was the only one that was dirty? It won't let the other monkey's clean it. And it gets angry if you try to clean it.
It still stinks - what do you do?

Answer 1

I would use a sink! and water and soap?

Answer 2

What about a dry bath? They have these moist towelettes that you can buy. All you do is clean up the monkey with those. I've seen a cat be cleaned with those and the cat was really calm. It would just feel like you were petting her. You can also put a muzzle on the monkey and throw it in soapy water.

Answer 3

Most pets can get used to being bathed. You need a calm (but firm) manner and an expectation that the animal (just like a small child) is going to enjoy it.

Give the monkey a toy to play with while you bathe him.

Answer 4

f this is a serious question and you are the keeper for a group of monkeys, you need better job training and better advice than you'll get here.
There is obviously a problem, either with the animal or with the social structure of the group.

I really hope this is a joke post.
If you are working in a wildlife park or similar, you should have been given training in Health and Safety, plus vaccinations such as tetanus and hepatitis. Not just because you can give these to the monkey but that he can pass them to you, even through urine and faeces and a dirty coat. He could also be carrying or suffering from Weils disease.
You should have been given basic training about animal behaviour, and further training specific to the species. As a rookie you should be working under the supervision of an experienced member of staff, not in charge of this group.
You should have been taught about primate body language and behaviour, including how to approach and move around the cage without causing alarm.
You should also have been given training about the Flight or Fight reaction, and how animals behave because of it. Cornered, frightened animals attack in self defense to buy themselves time and space to escape. The best description I can offer is found in 'The Last Great Wild Beast Show' by Bill Jordan and Stephan Ormrod, isbn 0 09 461900.
Added to that, monkeys are smart and can be bullies. Some are not safe to handle on your own. There should be a co-ordinated group working on this problem wih an experienced person in charge.
If you have ever handled a feral cat you'll have some idea about what you and the monkey are in for. The cat is wild and doesn't want you anywhere near it, it sees you as a threat. But it needs blood testing for FIV, de-fleaing and its jabs.
If you manage to catch it, you need to know how to hold it so that it doesn't tear you apart. You need to work quickly and quietly.
Even then the vet can't take a blood sample because you just can't hold it still enough and its veins are contracted. The vet can't listen to its heart or breathing because its pulse rate is through the roof and all you can hear is it screaming at you. And meds including anaesthesia are now difficult to administer, plus the dose may be off because if the adrenaline rush.
It just isn't normal for monkeys to neglect their own hygeine, and it isn't normal for a monkey to stay ungroomed by the rest of the group. He isn't seen as a member of his social group. His stress levels are going to be through the roof and if he isn't sick he soon will be. You are probably going to have to get the vet to dart him for his safety and yours, despite the anaesthetic risk and the risk to him from the rest of the group when he goes under. They are likely to react very badly to the whole thing.
If this is a joke post you can have a good laugh at me, I don't mind. I hope it is.

Answer 5

I can catch a monkey, perhaps we should get together when you've learnt how to wash it. I'm sure there's a gap in the market for professional monkey hygiene practitioners.

Answer 6

Wash a monkey with shampoo, from head to toe...then condition...for a happy monkey.

Answer 7

I suppose you would start with a wet towel and wash him like that,or maybe monkeys like baths .
phone the local zoo and ask what they do with stinky monkeys.
When I wash my cat I've to hold it by the scruff of its neck and avoid claws it only gets bath when really needed.So maybe holding monkey by scruff would work to.

Answer 8

Last time I washed a monkey, it went ape!

Answer 9

I would consult an expert as monkeys are very very strong for their size and they are much stronger than us. Trying to wash one without professional help. I would consult a zoo.

Answer 10

monkeys bite i would sedate him then wash him but make sure you dry him properly else he will get a cold XXXX

Answer 11

Just use a tub,soap and a sponge then it will be all set