Coatis are highly social, intelligent South American procyonids increasingly kept as exotic pets and in zoo collections. Their complex social and foraging needs are difficult to meet in captivity, raising welfare concerns for both zoo populations and private ownership.
Coatis kept as exotic pets face welfare challenges similar to other wild-origin species: insufficient space for their active ranging behaviour, inappropriate solitary housing when females evolved for group living, dietary inadequacy when fed general omnivore diets rather than diverse invertebrate sources, and stress from domestic environments mismatched to their sensory and social needs. Juvenile coatis are engaging pets but become increasingly difficult to manage as adults. Zoo settings require large mixed-sex or female group enclosures with foraging substrates, climbing opportunities, and appropriate thermal management for their tropical origins. The exotic pet trade drives demand for coatis that should be addressed through regulatory requirements for welfare competency assessments before sale.