Cats may be some of the more aloof pets you can have, but that doesn’t mean they can’t provide you with some mental and emotional support. After all, have you ever had a cat come up to you and purr on your lap? If you have, you’ll find that your cat can be quite good at helping you calm down, forget about your problems, or even enjoy a nice and warm nap.
As you can see, cats can be great emotional support animals, but what does that really mean? Well, if you’re curious about the ESA cat meaning, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we take you through everything you need to know about emotional support cats.
ESA Cat Meaning
An emotional support cat is a type of emotional support animal (ESA). Emotional support animals help people who have mental health disorders manage their conditions. In other words, an emotional support cat can provide relief for people who need assistance with their mental health.
You’ll find that emotional support animals tend to be great at helping with stress, loneliness, and other mental health issues that don’t require physical support or specific training. It’s also important to note that emotional support animals aren’t just pets.
Instead, they’re protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which allows them to live with you in housing that’s not usually pet-friendly. Not only can an emotional support cat live with you, but you also don’t have to worry about paying any fees.
Are Cats Good Emotional Support Animals?
Yes, cats are great emotional support animals. In fact, you’ll find that they can be better than dogs in some areas. Still, there are many ways that they can help, so we cover some of their most notable benefits below.
Low Maintenance
One of the best reasons to consider an emotional support cat is due to their maintenance, or lack thereof. Compared to dogs, hamsters, and other common emotional support animals, you’ll find that cats are low maintenance. You only have to feed them twice daily, they don’t need a ton of attention/exercise, and they use a litter box, so you don’t even have to bring them outside.
Distraction
We all know that cats can be a little distracting at times. Not only are they distracting, but they may also be fun to watch as they roam around. While this might be terrible if you’re trying to work from home, it’s great if you need a feline companion to distract you from mental health disorders. In fact, they can distract you from self-harm, lying in bed, or even panic attacks.
Companionship
Last but not least, you can’t count out the companionship element that cats bring to the table. Sure, they’re not exactly man’s best friend or anything, but an ESA cat can help with loneliness and depression. In fact, their purring has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, and cats tend to know when something is wrong.
How to Get an Emotional Support Cat
If you want to get an emotional support cat, you need to follow several steps. First and foremost, you need to have a mental health disorder that qualifies for an ESA. Fortunately, most mental health disorders will qualify, so make sure you speak with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP).
Speaking of an LMHP, you’ll need to have an LMHP write you an ESA letter to get an ESA cat. These letters detail your condition, why you need an ESA cat, and much more. If you want your letter to be valid, it needs to be signed by someone who’s licensed in your state.
While you can go through an LMHP you already work with, if you don’t have one already, plenty of reputable online services are available.
ESA Cat Meaning: Our Final Thoughts
So, what is the meaning of an ESA cat? At the end of the day, an ESA cat is simply another type of emotional support animal (ESA). These are a group of animals that are protected by the Fair Housing Act (FHA) due to how they can help someone who has a mental health disorder. Therefore, an emotional support cat is an emotional support animal who happens to be a cat. It’s as simple as that.