Did You Know Cats Are Emotional Support Animals?

An emotional support animal is any type of animal – including cats – that is there to provide comfort and emotional assistance to a particular person. They are protected under the Fair Housing Act and have the following legal benefits:

  • They’re allowed to live with you in almost any pet-free housing, including most college dorms.

  • They’re exempt from pet rent, pet fees, or pet deposits, though you may still have to pay for any damage to your rental caused by your cat.

  • They’re exempt from breed, weight, or size restrictions.

An ESA can be a number of different types of animals, ranging from rabbits to horses. However, the two most common types of emotional support animals are dogs and cats, which are for the most part friendly and comforting by nature. Just about any cat or dog that is friendly and non-aggressive is eligible to become an emotional support animal.

Cats can make terrific emotional support animals. People who suffer from chronic pain have credited their cats as a relief for loneliness and depression during terrible periods of pain, sickness, and immobility. Even without a physical disability, many find the companionship of a cat can help with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and many other mental conditions.

What Are the Personal Benefits of Having an Emotional Support Cat?

The benefits of an emotional support cat are quite extensive, and they can be incredibly helpful to one’s overall health and well-being. While the results and advantages may vary from person-to-person, many with emotional support cats receive the following benefits:

  • Emotional comfort

  • Reduced feelings of isolation

  • Increased sense of purpose

  • Anxiety relief

  • General improved mood

  • Grounding during flashbacks or panic attacks

  • Encouragement of a healthier routine (thanks to feeding and litter change schedules, etc.)

The two most obvious benefits of emotional support cats are anxiety and depression relief. No one has a perfect life, and we all struggle with the stress that can weigh on us from time to time. It is in the low moments that having a friendly emotional support cat there to help us through can be incredibly beneficial. In addition, many who suffer from post-traumatic stress – such as women who experience domestic violence or soldiers who have just returned home – find relief by having an emotional support cat around.

The Bottom Line About Emotional Support Cats.

If dogs don't quite meet your expectations as emotional support animals, there's still hope. You have the option to register your cat as an emotional support animal, provided that you and your cat meet the necessary requirements. To ensure a smooth registration process and to present the ESA letter to housing complexes, it's important to gather the required documentation from your veterinarian, health care provider, and any additional paperwork needed.

If you want to learn more about emotional support cats and start the process of having your pet registered, click below to learn more.

Register Your Emotional Support Animal Online | US Service Animals