Comments On: Primatestore.com

I recently received an order for a treat called "Fabulous Fruit" that I ordered from a website called primatestore.com. The website, in general, is very well done and it offers many great products for primate owners. However, upon receiving my order for this treat and some other items, I was horrified when the list of ingredients listed dehydrated apricots. As I'm sure you know, apricots are toxic to certain primate breeds, including java macaques -- which is what I own. Nowhere on the website did it list apricots as an ingredient in this fruit mix, and had I not read the canister before giving the treat to my monkey, I could have very well fed him something that could potentially harm or kill him. The ironic part is that I read this information about apricots in the Primate Care Manual published by the Simian Society....which primatestore.com also sells on their website. Although is it generally the kernels and leaves of apricots that are toxic to some primates, how would a consumer know that those parts didn't slip into the fruit mix during processing?

I am honestly disgusted and sad that a website that claims to offer "Everything for Primate Lovers" would sell a food product that may contain an ingredient that is toxic to some breeds. Although I don't want to completely sabotage primatestore.com's business, I would like people who frequent monkeymaddness to be aware of this. I would really appreciate it if you could pass this information along to the fellow primate owners and lovers who go to your site.

Thank you

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just to let you know, i have bought from the primate pet store and the merchandise they sent me said it was for macaques. Well needles to say, in 3 days my 3 year old macaque destroyed it. I will never buy nor refer anyone to this website.

Bob
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Most fruit mixes contain apricots as well as many other fruits. Apricots are a very common fruit. I'm surprised to hear you were all that surprised to find them in a MIX of fruits. Apricots in themselves are not harmful to primates that I know of. There is no more of the leaves or other part of the plant in the mix than there is of anything else, which is none. A lot of plant parts are toxic to a lot of species of primate as well, when you feed those you insure you only feed the edible part of the plant. To say you would only feed your primate foods that have absolutely NO toxic or harmful parts could pretty well limit your primate from a lot of natural plants, flowers, and other natural foods. Caution is in order in feeding, not fear.
I have ordered several products from the primate store and have been and continue to be very happy with those products.
Also, YOU are responsible as a primate owner to read ingredients before feeding your primate, NOT the primate store. If you choose not to feed apricot fruit to your primate, that is your choice, but the primate store does have a right to carry this product for those who feed these foods without being blasted so badly!!!! Not every food, toy, etc are created for EVERY primate's needs.....it's YOUR job to know what your primate's needs are and provide for them.
Sue
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