It goes without saying that cats make some awesome life companions. Not only are they just adorable, but they’re also compassionate and loving to their owners. However, do cats have the potential to work an emotional support gig?
Emotional support animals (ESA) are extremely helpful for those struggling with emotional stress and mental health issues. Animals provide humans with good company and can also reduce stress and anxiety.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about cats and how they could potentially become your emotional support animal.
Can Cats Be Emotional Support Animals?
When people think of emotional support animals, dogs are typically the first pet that comes to mind. However, not everyone has space or the resources to care for a dog. So, naturally, cats are often another popular option. In short, cats can absolutely be emotional support animals.
However, before you start searching “how to register my cat as an emotional support animal”, there are a few things you need to know about the job.
Emotional support animals are there to provide a human with therapeutic services, typically through bonding and companionship. Due to their non-aggressive and loving nature, cats are one of the most common emotional support animal options after dogs.
What Are the Benefits of Choosing a Cat as an Emotional Support Animal?
There are numerous benefits to having a cat for emotional support, and the practice is expanding rapidly. Not everyone has the same needs for an ESA. That said, therapeutic cats are known to drastically improve one’s mental health and overall well-being.
Some of the top benefits emotional support cats provide are:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Treating depression
- Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- Treating PTSD
Anxiety, stress, and depression are the three most common reasons why people choose to get an emotional support animal. Life certainly isn’t easy, and having a loyal companion to help you through hard times is something everyone needs, regardless of their background.
Cats can be that life companion to guide us through tough times. Having a cat around can give your life meaning, which is a crucial component of battling anxiety and depression.
What Are the Best Cat Breeds To Choose?
1. American Bobtails
No doubt, the American Bobtail is one of the most popular breeds worldwide. Not only are they extremely cute and playful, but they’re also loving and show incredible compassion for their owners. Combine their affection with their abilities to cope with children, and you’ve got yourself a perfect emotional support cat.
2. Ragdolls
Like the American Bobtail, the Ragdoll is an excellent companion. There’s just something about them that makes them so lovable. What’s more, Ragdolls are gentle and non-aggressive by nature. As a result, they are gentle with children, house guests, and just about any human they come in contact with.
3. Persian
Persian cats are extremely distinguishable due to their fluffy appearance. Persian cats are highly intelligent, which makes them able to adapt to situations quickly. Furthermore, they show a lot of love and compassion for those in the family. The only pitfall of adopting a Persian cat is that they require extensive grooming.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason why there are over 80 million cats owned by humans in the United States alone. Humans have a unique attraction to felines. Remember, adopting a cat can help with reducing stress, anxiety, and several other conditions. That said, you still need to ensure you have the time and resources to give them the loving home they deserve.
Since cats can sleep up to 16 hours a day, they’re far less maintenance than dogs or other animals. We hope this post was helpful, and be sure to share it with someone who’s considering adopting a cat.
