Best Emotional Support Animals for Depression: Top Animals to Help You Cope and Heal

There’s a reason why we talk to our pets — they don’t interrupt or judge, and they never criticize. Somehow, they always seem to just get us. They listen, offer quiet comfort, and make the moment feel less lonely. 

That little tilt of your dog’s head or purr from your cat can make you melt. Their innocence brings out a tenderness in us, allowing us to let go of everything we’re holding in. Their presence alone can remind us that love doesn’t need words — and that we’re worthy of love, too. 

If you’re struggling with depression, a furry little life can impact your symptoms in a big way. Emotional support animals (ESAs) aren’t necessarily solutions to all our problems, but they can ground us and fill the silence with comfort and connection. 

In this article, we’ll look into the best emotional support animals for depression. The ones that offer a sense of safety, companionship, and stability. We’ll also cover the practical aspects, like exercise and attention needs. By the end, you’ll have a better idea about which animal can fit into your life best and help nurture your overall well-being. 

How Emotional Support Animals Help with Depression

ESAs help out in plenty of tiny ways, and each can add up to make a big overall impact. Here’s how animals help with depression:

1. Unconditional Companionship

While we all feel lonely from time to time, and it’s normal and healthy to spend time alone, a furry companion adds a little something to the mix. The loneliness isn’t quite so stark when they’re around. They’re always by your side, reminding you that company is around if you want it.  

2. Dependable Routines

Caring for your ESA almost forces you to develop a routine. Now, someone else is depending on you. There’s no choice but to walk your dog daily or feed and cuddle your cat. THe trick is to align their routine with yours and use it to your advantage. Now you have a pet that helps you get out of bed more quickly in the morning to feed them or take them on a walk, for example. That routine also offers a sense of stability and structure, which is shown to help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

3. Emotional Comfort and Stress Relief

Their presence alone can comfort us, but add a physical touch to the list, and our heartbeats and stress hormones are slowing down. Research shows that simply cuddling an animal can… 

Encouraging Physical Activity: A dog, and certain breeds in particular, require plenty of physical stimulation. Most dogs need a minimum of an hour a day, but plenty of breeds need 2 or more, with plenty of running. If you stay active with your dog, they can keep you outdoors more and moving, which helps balance hormones and reduce depressive symptoms. The more time you spend in nature alone is shown to improve overall mental and physical health. 

4. Sense of Purpose

We all tend to feel lost when we don’t have a specific direction to go in. An animal can help with that, by giving us someone to care for. This can encourage our “problem-solving” side, where being responsible for another forces us into action. It can also spread out and encourage us to care for ourselves more. 

5. Fosters Human Connection

Being a part of the dog or cat owner club comes with its benefits — like millions of potential people to connect with. Having the love of a certain pet in common can bring people together, whether online or in person. Even just taking your dog out for a walk comes with plenty of possibilities to talk with others or see the same friendly faces at your local park — which is also shown to help decrease loneliness. 

Best Emotional Support Animals for Depression

When it comes to choosing emotional support animals, the options for the best pets for depression support are diverse. Just aim to adopt, rather than shop. Let’s start with the most common and work our way through all the options: 

1. Dogs

Dogs are one of the most common ESAs. They offer a hit of happiness, excitement, and affection as soon as you walk in the door. They also love routine, helping to give you structure to your day. Getting outdoors to walk them is also great for mental health, helping you stay active and interacting with others on a daily basis. Plus, just playing fetch alone can boost oxytocin, that hormone that makes you feel bonded and comforted by someone else. 

Best Breeds for Depression

• Labrador Retriever: Labs are known for being loyal, loving, and intuitive. They’re happy to stay by your side and offer a gentle nudge when upset. They need a few hours of activity a day and can help keep you active. 
• Golden Retriever: Goldens love to be around people, helping to give you that constant sense of companionship. Even though they’re big, they have a gentleness to them and are ready to offer hugs when needed. Like Labs, they also need a few hours of activity and are happy to play, keeping things light. 
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: These dogs are sensitive and love a routine. They’re also ready to cuddle and need a bit less exercise than some other breeds, but still at least an hour a day. 

2. Cats

Just like dogs, cats can offer constant companionship, routine, and never-ending cuddles and affection. They’re not as demanding time or energy-wise, but all the while happy to be around their human. Their purring alone can calm a racing heartbeat and ground you in the present moment. Like any animal, every cat has their own unique personality, so a certain breed isn’t necessarily going to offer the exact same personality. 

Best Possible Traits for Depression 

• Laid-back: If you’re looking for a chill and easygoing cat to hang with, Ragdolls, the Russian Blue, and Persians are a good match. They have a calm nature and usually like to be held.  
• Social and Attention-Seeking: A cat that thrives on interaction and wants a strong bond with their human could be a Siamese or Burmese. They love being around people and are also sensitive to emotions. 
• Friendly and Playful: Main Coons are known for being the “gentle giants” of felines. They’re calm but love spending time with people and are happy to show their playful side, offering companionship and entertainment. American short-hair tabby cats can also be silly and love seeking out attention and human interaction. 

3. Rabbits

Often overlooked, these little furballs can almost be like another version of a cat — only less meowing. They’re quiet and gentle and love affection and cuddles. They can easily form a bond with their human and want to spend all their time nearby. Watching them play (be sure to get two since they need company) and be silly can offer quiet joy and a calming distraction from spiraling thoughts. 

Their quiet demeanor might be perfect for someone who wants a low-maintenance and chill vibe. Since they’re extremely social animals they can also be friends with cats, but they also crave another rabbit for company. As for their care, they need to roam free for hours every day. A big enclosure for sleeping and litter 6 times their body length is also key. Absorbent bedding and paper-based litter are best since cedar and pine shavings affect their respiratory system. 

4. Birds (Parakeets or Cockatiels)

Parakeets or Cockatiels are special types of birds. They’re social animals that chirp, sing, and mimic human speech, which can offer a fun distraction on an otherwise dull day. Hearing a bird song is also known to help calm the nervous system. 

They thrive on attention and love company — especially that of another bird. Try to rescue two, if possible, since they can easily get lonely without enough attention to company and develop anxiety. Like any animal, caring for them involves a routine of feeding, cage cleaning, and daily mental stimulation and attention. The routine and company they provide might be enough to gently calm some symptoms of depression. 

5. Guinea Pigs

These little animals are some of the most social beings on this list. They must be adopted in pairs because they need constant company from another one of their kind. However, they can also bond with their human and enjoy external attention, including being held and pet. 

Be warned that they are a bit vocal with chirps and cheerful squeaks, which will pop up when you walk into a room. They need a large enclosure full of hiding spots, absorbent bedding, and hay. They also require some time to roam free, although not always as much as rabbits. Overall, they’ll want attention but are much less work than a dog, for example. That means you can get comfort without feeling too overwhelmed with their care, depending on your lifestyle. 

6. Hamsters

Low-maintenance and cute, hamsters used to be one of the most popular pets around. They might be solitary creatures, but they enjoy time with their humans. Just knowing they’re near and watching them play can be enough to soothe the nervous system and remind you that you’re not alone. They don’t require much effort or cost, but their company can be enough for someone who just wants a little more life in the house. 

If you have more than one, be sure to have large and separate enclosures since adults get territorial over their space. These furballs usually live alone and like some time to roam free with their human around. 

7. Fish (Betta or Goldfish)

These fish bring a natural sense of calm to any environment — especially if they have a cool tank full of interesting plants that flow in the water. Watching their fluid, rhythmic movements can have an almost meditative effect, helping to lower stress and anxiety. 

Caring for them isn’t too much work, but it still offers a sense of responsibility and purpose. Fish need daily feeding and their tanks need regular cleanings. They might need the least amount of work of any of the animals on this list, and while you can’t cuddle them, you can watch them and enjoy their presence as comfort. 

Choosing the Right Emotional Support Animal for Depression

Every animal will offer something different. Some are more affection than others, while some need plenty more exercise and attention. Here’s what to consider before deciding on your animal:

• Space and Cost. How big is your home or apartment to fit your ESA? Can you afford their costs? Research how much they might require on a monthly basis. 
• Lifestyle: Choose an animal that fits your routine enough so that a big change doesn’t overwhelm or ask too much of you. For example, if you don’t have 2 hours a day to walk, an energetic dog like a Border Collie, Lab, or Golden Retriever isn’t for you. 
• Interaction: How much time and energy do you have to devote to your ESA? Do you want to have their affections constantly or do you prefer more time distraction-free?
• Characteristics: Think about the traits you’d like your animal to have, such as playful or calm. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best emotional support animal for depression?

The best pets for depression depend on each person. We all have our own unique needs, lifestyles, and preferences, so which animal suits best is you is up to you. 

Do I need a specific type of animal for emotional support?

No, any animal can offer emotional support — as long as they offer some form of comfort and companionship, and don’t require more care than you can offer. 

How do emotional support animals help with depression?

ESAs offer never-ending companionship, reducing feelings of loneliness. Caring for them creates a purpose, along with a routine and structure — which science shows reduces anxiety. They can also push you outdoors more, and create more movement and activity in your life. 

Are smaller animals like rabbits or hamsters good for depression?

Yes, small animals can be great for people without much space who don’t want much maintenance work. 

Can any pet become an emotional support animal?

Not all pets qualify to be an ESA, but you just need to explain to your licensed mental health therapist why you need the pet you want. It may be possible to have them qualify as an ESA. 

Final Thoughts

Which animal suits you best depends entirely on your lifestyle and personality — and that of the animal, too. The top emotional support animals for depression include dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, and fish. 

However, there are still other options out there. Also, consider adopting rather than shopping. You never know what animal might be in need and the special bond you could develop by rescuing them. 

Of course, what’s most important is that you feel comforted with your ESA and gain a sense of routine — without feeling overwhelmed. 

If you’re looking for more detailed care, you might also consider looking into a service dog for depression. They’re trained to look out for symptoms and offer support, like fetching medication or nudging you as a panic attack comes on. These types of animals go through a different process than ESAs, and you’ll need to speak with a healthcare professional to see if you qualify. 

Otherwise, if you’re just looking for companionship and structure, an ESA can help you out. With Pettable, you can speak to a licensed mental health professional to make sure they can move with you wherever you go with a legitimate ESA letter. Once you have that, you and your ESA can feel safe to live wherever you choose, no matter the pet policy. Get started with Pettable today, free of risk.