How to Care for a Pet Kinkajou

A Popular Exotic Pet

In recent years, exotic pets have become popular throughout the United States and foreign countries such as Japan. Seeing “exotic” or non-traditional species of animals kept as pets is a common sight on social media platforms. It is also common to see people engaging in heated debates about the topic.

While snakes, frogs, spiders, and birds (except raptors and some softbills, such as toucans) are normal to own, exotic mammals as a whole are still not. If you ask about owning one, more often than not, you’ll be scolded and just told not to get one. As a result, less reliable information is available to prospective owners.

Kinkajous (yellow drink) is one of the most popular exotic mammal species kept as pets, along with foxes and small wildcats such as the serval (Leptailurus on the side). They achieved temporary fame for a period of time in the early 2000s after Hollywood celebrity Paris Hilton was bitten by her pet kinkajou, the so-called “Baby Luv,” and more recently a Netflix animated movie. Vivo featuring one as the main character.

Whether you’re an aspiring owner looking for information on how to care for a pet kinkajou or you’re just curious about the subject, this article will explain the important facts you need to know.

What is Kinkajou?

What is a kinkajou, anyway? Although this may seem like an odd question, understanding the species you are interested in is the first step to take before pursuing anything else.

Kinkajous may share some visual similarities with primates or marsupials, but they are members of the Procyonidae family. Other members of this family include the well-known raccoon (Procyon lotor) and coatimundi (Nasua nasua). Procyonids are characterized by many common morphological traits, but their shared behavioral tendencies are rarely discussed.

All procyonids are gregarious, food-loving opportunists who display excellent problem-solving skills. Most are nocturnal, except coatimundi. They are very high energy and spend most of their active time in the wild foraging for food using their hands and clever minds. And perhaps the most important fact is that when threatened or confronted (or when they realize it), they will almost always engage animals larger than themselves and fight back with unexpected intensity. It is important to know that these characteristics will also manifest themselves in captivity, be it in professional zoological facilities or in your home.

Pet Kinkajou Care

Kinkajous are high energy animals, as discussed above. Although some sources recommend keeping kinkajous in large parrot cages and dog crates, this is only suitable for them while they are very young.

Adults need access to a fully bare minimum 6x6x8ft cage, according to Florida Fish & Wildlife Services. To avoid behavioral issues and boredom, you’ll need to allow your kinkajou plenty of time outside of such a cage and free-roaming in one room of your house or opt for something bigger.

Providing a proper enclosure can easily be as expensive, if not more, than the initial purchase price of the animal itself.

Kinkajous are adept at climbing and are strong enough to pull up cheap enclosure materials like chicken wire. No poorer measure than field fencing should be used in making the enclosure, and all should be fully enclosed roofs. Additionally, kinkajous are escape artists and will need door locks that cannot be manipulated from the inside with their feet.

Each enclosure should be filled with tools that allow your kinkajou to climb, such as ropes, swings, and wooden beams, as well as a nesting box for them to sleep in during the day.

Feeding your pet kinkajou is a simpler task. Kinkajous are omnivores but prefer a frugivore diet more than coatimundi or raccoons. However, this doesn’t mean you can just pile a bunch of grapes and bananas in a bowl and call it a day.

Diabetes is a common disease for captive kinkajous [1]that eat low-sugar, high-fiber fruits in the wild, so sweet fruits like grapes, oranges, bananas, and strawberries should be fed in moderation.

A readily available staple diet capable of sustaining growth and reproduction

16 years consisted of 8 to 12 oz (227–340 g) of domestic dog kibble with

27% crude protein, 4 to 12 oz (113–340 g) of fresh fruits and/or vegetables, and 1 to 2 oz (28–57 g) of dried fruit.

— Kevin Wright and Mark S. Edwards,

Commercial dog kibble is the backbone for most recommended professional diets for kinkajous and is used in the diet plans for most zoos in the American Zoological Association [2]. The nutritional ratios are suitable to create a well-rounded diet for omnivorous procyonids when combined with other foods.

Are Pet Kinkajous Dangerous?

On very rare occasions, kinkajous steal the media spotlight for their aggression against humans. More recently, in 2019, a man in Florida was attacked by an escaped kinkajou that entered his home in search of food.

It is a known fact that all animals can bite, but not all animal bites are equal to the damage they can do, and some animals are less willing to bite than others. Kinkajous are prone to mood swings and have teeth that can create deep puncture wounds, which are almost certain to become infected due to bacteria in their saliva. This means their bites can be very serious and almost always require a trip to the hospital for antibiotics.

Responsible ownership of a kinkajou or any animal, regardless of whether it is domesticated or not, means understanding and respecting their ability to bite or scratch you. Although a small kinkajou may be infinitely less dangerous than a large dog or horse in terms of their ability to kill a human, kinkajous can still bite. Some will bite more than others, and most owners will likely find this to be a gamebreaker when considering them as pets.

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Conclusion

If you want a pet kinkajou, consider whether you can commit yourself to such a pet for their entire life—up to a maximum of 40 years.

Owning a kinkajou as a pet can be a dream come true for some and a truly rewarding experience. But for others, it’s a pursuit best left alone for the sake of both the humans and animals involved.

Sources

[1] Wright, Kevin, and Mark S. Edwards. Considerations for Kinkajou Captive Diets – Accessed August 11, 2023.

[2] AZA Small Carnivore TAG 2010. Procyonid (Procyonidae) Care Manual. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Silver Spring, MD. p. 114

[3] Confinement For Common Class III Pet Species. 68A-6.012 : Standard caging requirements for captive wildlife – Florida administrative rules, law, code, Register – FAC, far, Erulemaking. (n.d.). https://www.flrules.org/gateway/RuleNo.asp?id=68A-6.012

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not intended to replace formal, individualized advice from a qualified professional.

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