An emotional support animal (ESA) is one of the best companions that you can have. They help with mental health issues, improve quality of life, and you don’t have to worry about any pet restrictions if you live in homes that aren’t pet-friendly. That said, you probably have a lot of questions about emotional support animals and the types of animals that they can be.
So, what is an ESA cat? Well, the short answer is that an ESA cat is a cat that’s an emotional support animal. However, there’s a lot more to it than that. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about these animals. Read on to learn more.
What Is an ESA Cat?
An emotional support cat is a cat that’s approved as an emotional support animal. In other words, it’s a cat that’s been granted ESA status by an ESA letter. With this status, a cat is no longer just a cat.
Instead, they’re a companion animal that’s allowed to be by someone’s side, even if landlords aren’t pet-friendly or there are rules against cats in apartments. This is due to how ESAs are handled under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
What’s more, there are no fees for ESA cats. You also don’t have to worry about eviction or any other issues like that.
What Can an Emotional Support Cat Help With?
Emotional support cats can help you regulate your emotions, encourage you to get out of bed and take care of them, and even help you feel less alone. In fact, these are only a handful of things that a cat can help you with.
While they’re not dogs that can be trained to fetch medication or anything like that, when a cat sits on your lap and purrs, it will definitely help you calm down during a panic attack.
Therefore, emotional support cats help by being around, requiring care, and cuddling up with you, which is actually a type of deep pressure therapy (DPT).
What Disabilities Qualify for an ESA Cat?
If you want to get an ESA cat, you need to have a mental health disorder or issue. This is because cats can only help emotionally. Some common examples include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loneliness
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Chronic stress
As you can see, there are many conditions that apply. Ultimately, you need to speak with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) to determine if an ESA is right for you.
How to Get an ESA Cat
If you want to get an ESA cat, the good news is that the process isn’t too complicated. Getting an ESA cat can be done by visiting with your therapist or another type of licensed mental health professional (LMHP) you visit with. Simply ask them to write you an ESA letter based on your condition.
If they believe that an ESA can help you, they shouldn’t have any issues writing the letter. That said, make sure the professional is licensed in your state.
Can You Get an ESA Cat Online?
Yes, you can get an ESA cat online. You probably can’t buy the cat online, but once you have a cat, you can use a reliable platform to connect with a LMHP via telehealth. If you don’t have insurance or don’t have a LMHP you work with already, this is one of the best ways to get an ESA letter.
Just make sure you read reviews and vet the platform before you make any decisions. Unfortunately, there are some scams out there.
What Is an ESA Cat? Our Final Thoughts
So, what is an ESA cat? Simply put, an ESA cat is a support cat that helps people who have mental health disorders. For example, if someone is feeling anxious or lonely, the presence of an ESA cat may be enough to help them calm down and feel better.
These cats are protected under law with the appropriate ESA letter, which prevents any housing-related issues for tenants who have emotional support cats.That said, it’s important to legitimize ESA cats with a legitimate ESA letter, so make sure you talk with a LMHP or use a trusted platform for the best results.
