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Emotional support animals have always been a topic of interest for those who suffer from mental ailments. And why shouldn’t they be? After all, an ESA helps mental health patients mitigate negative symptoms associated with either depression or anxiety. The only exception, in this case, is that ESAs are not service animals, and as such, do not require specific training.
Anyone with a serious and qualifying mental health condition can apply for an ESA letter. And the best part is that ESAs come in various forms. While some find comfort in a cat’s company others keep dogs to impact their lives positively. Be it a dog or a cat, you can get an emotional support cat letter and dog letter if you feel that your ESA helped alleviate the symptoms of your mental health condition.
For those who have cats, always keep in mind that they, too, are ideal candidates for an ESA. In this post, you will find out why and how you can make your emotional support cat an ESA. Let’s Begin!
Can Cats Provide Emotional Support?
Science says that pet parenting an animal is beneficial for mental health problems. Pets can help improve mental health by lowering stress levels, providing company, and they can also help improve your lifestyle. The same is the case with felines. Yes, it’s true that cats have a different personality compared to dogs and are known for staying alone, but that doesn’t mean that cats do not qualify as emotional support animals. You see, the beauty of an ESA is that they are not trained to perform specific tasks. They are animals that help you lead a better quality of life by providing emotional support. And if that animal is a cat, you have every right to get an emotional support animal letter for your cat. Read on to find out how.
How to Get an Emotional Support Cat Letter?
In order to get an ESA letter, you first need to have a qualifying medical condition as stated under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. If you have a qualifying medical condition and you feel your cat can be a part of the existing treatment plan, you have to follow the below-listed steps:
- First, fill an online form. Provide the necessary details required and submit your medical records along with the application for a thorough evaluation process.
- Second, talk to state-certified mental health professionals over a video call or have a face-to-face consultation. Either way, the doctor will assess your mental health condition and evaluate how an ESA can help with your treatment.
- If you qualify, you will receive a PDF copy of the ESA letter via email. You can download the copy from the comfort of your home and use the letter to travel and live with your pet freely.
Get Your Emotional Support Cat Letter From Professionals
Know whether you qualify for an emotional support cat letter or not. All you need is a few minutes.
NOTE: The emotional support cat letter should be printed on the doctor’s letterhead with details such as the name of the pet, patient, and the doctor’s license number.
Cats Are Ideal ESA type: Tips On How to Choose The Best
As mentioned earlier, cats make an amazing emotional support animal, and you can easily get an ESA letter for your cat. In addition to this, cats are also allowed to travel in-cabin. While house owners should have no issues keeping a tenant with a cat as a pet, an ESA letter allows you to rent decent accommodation without paying extra fees. That said, here are specific things you can keep in mind while getting a cat as an emotional support animal.
Cat Breeds
If you think a cat can help you live a better mental health life, there are people-oriented cat breeds for you. For instance, Ragdoll, Scottish cat, and Tonkinese, to mention a few. You can opt for these cat breeds. For those who already have a cat, all you need is an ESA letter from state-certified mental health professionals.
Leave Feral Cats Out of the Picture
For those who are looking forward to getting an emotional support cat, steer away from feral cats. Not because they are bad but because a feral cat is accustomed to living in the wild. You might have to train a feral cat which takes time, patience, and the right person who can make all the effort. So, we advise that you leave the feral cats out of the picture and stick to cat breeds that love their human friend.
Understand That Cats May Take Time to Develop a Bond
Some experts suggest that a cat forms a close bond when they are young and start living with their human. So, if you bring a kitten from a reputed breeder a significant time spent with your cat is everything that you need. However, that doesn’t mean that a grown-up cat will never form a strong bond with you. You just have to be a little patient with cats to form a bond and for them to become your ESA.
Indoor Felines
Let’s face it, cats love indoors and experts believe that indoor cats are more people-oriented because they do not experience the wilderness of independence. Keeping your feline friend indoors is also beneficial for both the cat and you. They will get accustomed to living indoors and enjoy the bond they share with the owner of the house.
No Unaltered Cats
Unaltered cats, be it a female or a male, tend to develop behavioral problems as biological changes proceed. Male cats become aggressive, whereas females try their best to escape indoors to relieve the heat. Tending to an extra worry alongside your mental health problems can be an issue. So, it’s best to believe that unaltered cats will not make a good ESA.
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