In recent years, emotional support animals (ESAs) have become increasingly popular. These animals provide companionship and comfort to their owners, and they have been shown to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. While most people think of dogs when they think of emotional support animals, cats can also make excellent companions.

Cats are typically lower maintenance compared to dogs, and they can be easily trained to perform basic tricks or tasks. In addition, cats are known for their calming effect, and they can provide valuable emotional support during times of stress. A cat is a fantastic option, whether you're looking for a furry friend to cuddle with or a four-legged companion to help you through tough times.

A popular myth about ESAs is that you need to register your cat as an ESA. There is no legal “registration” process. All you need is a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) to secure housing. Let’s take a closer look at how to get an emotional support cat letter.

Can Cats Be Emotional Support Animals?

Feline friends, rejoice — cats are among the many types of animals that can be ESAs. Unlike service animals, which are usually dogs, any domesticated animal can become an emotional support critter, just as long as they provide their owner with care and comfort that alleviates mental health struggles. In addition to dogs and cats, these animals and more qualify for ESA status: 

• Rabbits
• Hamsters
• Guinea Pigs
• Birds
• Hedgehogs
• Domesticated Rats and Mice
• Minipigs
• Ferrets
• Chickens
• Snakes

Even the rarest of domesticated pets could qualify as your ESA as long as they don’t pose a threat to others and are properly handled by their humans.

How Do You Qualify for an Emotional Support Cat?

ESAs provide companionship and emotional support to people with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. Unlike service animals trained to perform specific tasks for their owners, ESAs do not require any special training. All you need to qualify for an emotional support cat is a letter from a licensed mental health professional indicating that the animal would be beneficial for your mental health.

While there are some exceptions, most landlords will accept this letter as proof that your cat is an ESA. As a result, emotional support cats can provide much-needed companionship and support to people with mental health conditions. Qualified conditions include:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety & Depression
• Autism
• Bipolar Disorder
• Eating Disorders
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic Attacks
• Personality Disorders
• Phobias
• Schizophrenia

What Do Emotional Support Cats Do?

Similar to how we take care of our cats, by keeping them up to date on all vaccinations, for example, cats can take care of us too. Emotional support cats provide companionship and emotional comfort to their owners. They are typically brought into the home by people who suffer from anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders. While emotional support cats are not service animals, they can provide much-needed companionship and love.

Emotional support cats typically have calm temperaments and enjoy cuddling and being petted. They may also help their owner to feel less anxious and stressed. In some cases, emotional support cats can even provide therapeutic benefits, such as reducing blood pressure or improving sleep quality. 

If you consider getting an emotional support cat, be sure to do your research to find a breed that will be a good fit for your lifestyle and personality.

Where Are Emotional Support Cats Allowed to Go?

Unlike service animals, ESAs do not have public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The FHA protects them in housing situations. ESAs can live with their owners in housing, but they are not allowed in public places such as hospitals, stores, parks, or restaurants.

Your emotional support cat cannot fly with you on flights. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) no longer recognizes ESAs as service animals. Due to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) policy change in 2021, only trained service animals are protected for in-cabin air travel. Some airlines may let your emotional support cat fly in the cabin with you for a fee, but you will have to look into pet-friendly airlines.

The Fair Housing Act (FHA)

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) ensures that landlords can’t discriminate against anyone for their disability and must accommodate ESAs and their owners. They are also not allowed to ask for excessive information about your disability or make spurious claims against your disorder. Once you provide them with a copy of your official ESA letter, they are required to honor your reasonable request for accommodation.

However, to keep your ESA at your rented home, you have to keep it friendly and under your control; you can be denied housing if the animal poses a threat to other tenants and community members. Show your landlord a copy of your ESA letter, and you should have no problem bringing your ESA home with you.

Do You Need to Register or Certify Your ESA Cat?

Despite what some companies may try to convince you, you don’t have to register your ESA. There is no formal process for certifying or registering an emotional support animal, and there are no specific requirements for what types of animals can qualify.

A common misconception about ESAs is that there is a national ESA registry. You do not need to register or certify your cat as an ESA. Any website claiming to add your cat to the national ESA registry is likely a scam. According to the FHA, the only legal proof you need is an ESA letter written by an LMHP.

What is an ESA Letter?

An ESA letter is essentially an ESA certification from a licensed mental health professional that you have a qualifying mental or emotional health disorder that is benefitted by the presence of your emotional support cat. With an ESA letter, you’re automatically protected by the FHA and should have no problem keeping the animal in your rental property, even if it has a standard “no pet” policy. The letter is essentially a prescription — and your cat is the medicine.

How to Get an ESA Letter for Your Cat

So, how do you get an ESA letter? Well, if you suffer from anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition, you probably qualify for an emotional support animal. An ESA can provide companionship and boost your mood, but there are a few steps you need to take before you can bring one home. You can trust Pettable to guide you through the process and leave you completely satisfied.

Complete Our Assessment

First, you'll need to complete our quick and easy ESA assessment to help us evaluate your situation and emotional pet support needs. Expect that despite the immediate process, this will be a comprehensive evaluation. 

Consult With a Therapist

You will be asked to fill out some privacy and consent forms that authorize our clinicians or therapists to work with you. We will find a licensed mental health professional that matches your case and send a link where you can book a live consultation with them. During the call, you'll get to meet the therapist and complete a mental health evaluation. This evaluation will determine if you qualify for an ESA. 

Get an Emotional Support Cat Letter

Once our licensed mental health professional determines that an emotional support animal is essential to your care and well-being, they'll write a legally recognized emotional support animal letter for you. You will be given the option to get an ESA letter within 24 hours from the time of your consultation, in most cases.

State-Specific Laws Regarding ESA Letters

Some states have additional laws regarding the ESA letter process. The following states require a 30-day prior client-provider relationship before the LMHP can issue the ESA letter. These include:

• California (AB 468)
• Arkansas (HB 1420)
• Montana (HB 703)
• Iowa (SF 2268)
• Louisiana (HB 407)

Choose Your Emotional Support Cat

Once you have your letter, you can start looking for the perfect furry friend. When choosing an ESA, selecting an animal that is easily trained and well-suited to living in close quarters with humans is essential. After bringing your new pet home, you need to do a few more things to make sure they are officially recognized as an ESA.

You will need to document them with your landlord and update your homeowner's insurance policy. Following these steps will help ensure that you and your ESA can live happily together.

Because your satisfaction is crucial, Pettable offers a 100% money-back guarantee if your ESA letter is rejected. If the ESA letter does not work, you can contact us for a full refund.

What Makes a Good Emotional Support Cat?

Every cat is unique and has their very own personality, but some breeds are known to be affectionate and friendly. When choosing a cat to be your ESA, there are a couple of key features to look for to find your best match. As you want them to help you with your mental health issues, you're going to want a certain temperament and personality. You want to look for a friendly, sociable, calm, and affectionate cat. Cat breeds that would excel as an ESA include the following:

• Ragdoll
• Maine Coon
• American Shorthair
• Russian Blue
• Manx

Ultimately, you want to choose a cat that fits well with your own personality. No matter what the breed, any cat who helps bring a smile to your face will make a good emotional support cat.

Emotional Support Cat vs Service Animal vs Therapy Cat

ESAs, service animals, and therapy cats are often confused and used interchangeably. However, they represent three very different types of assistance animals. An emotional support cat provides relief and comfort to their owners with mental health disabilities. ESAs are allowed to live in housing situations even when pet restrictions are in place, but they are not given any public access rights.

Service animals are specially trained to perform tasks for their owners and are given public access rights. They can accompany their owners wherever they go. The ADA only recognizes dogs and miniature horses as service animals, so cats are currently unable to be service animals.

A therapy cat is a trained cat that travels with their owner to hospitals, schools, senior living facilities, and other places in the community where they bring comfort to the people there. Therapy cats are only given access to the location where they will be volunteering.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Emotional Support Cats

With cats being a less common ESA choice, there can be a variety of questions needing answers before proceeding with getting one. Luckily, Pettable is here with the answers needed.

Do Cats Qualify as Emotional Support Animals? 

There is no reason cats cannot also serve as emotional support animals. Cats are loving and affectionate creatures that can provide solace and comfort in times of distress. They are also low maintenance, making them ideal ESAs for busy people.

How Much Does an Emotional Support Cat Cost? 

An emotional support cat can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands depending on the breed. You can get them for less if they come from pet adoption centers.

How Do I Train an Emotional Support Cat?

An emotional support cat doesn’t require any special training to qualify as an ESA. They just need you to provide a loving home and care for them to provide you with the support you need.

Can I Have More Than One Emotional Support Cat? 

There are no rules regarding the maximum number of ESAs you can have. As long as your pets do not violate any state or local laws and you have your ESA letter, you should be fine.

How Do I Pick an Emotional Support Cat?

First, you have to assess your needs. Once you've decided what type of cat is right for you, you can start screening for prospects and get to know them until you're ready to take them home.

Where Can I Get an Emotional Support Cat?

You can either find a reputable breeder or shelter, or check out online directories that can help you find your next ESA.

Can I Fly with My Emotional Support Cat?

Generally, no. Airlines are not required to allow ESAs in cabins after 2021. Some airlines, like JetBlue, may make voluntary exceptions.

Can Cats Be Service Animals?

Simply put, no, cats can’t serve as physical or psychiatric support animals. They are difficult to train to perform tasks, making them less than ideal, and according to the ADA, support animals are limited to dogs and miniature horses.

What is the Best Breed of Emotional Support Cat?

Any cat breed can be an emotional support cat. The only requirement is that the animal provides you with emotional support that helps relieve your mental health struggles. However, we recommend choosing a well-tempered breed as your feline friend.

Is there a national registry for ESA cats?

No. Any site offering ESA “registration” is not legally recognized. Only an ESA letter written by a licensed mental health professional is valid proof of your need for an ESA.

How often do I need to renew my ESA letter?

You should typically renew your ESA letter annually. Depending on lease terms, some landlords may request a more recent one.