Cats as emotional support animals

Cats fit easily into small homes and busy schedules. They do not need walks, they tend to be quiet, and many enjoy settling in beside you at the end of a hard day. For people who find a dog's energy or needs overwhelming, a cat can be gentler company.

Evidence on animals and mental health is still developing, and NIH describes the results so far as mixed. Some people find that caring for a cat adds routine and reduces loneliness. An ESA can support your wellbeing, but it does not replace treatment from a therapist.

Cats often live well into their teens, so think about the long haul. The AVMA encourages future owners to consider cost, time away from home, backup care, possible moves and whether a lease limits pets.

• Are you comfortable cleaning a litter box every day?
• Does anyone in your home have cat allergies?
• Can you keep the cat indoors and provide scratching posts?
• Will current pets accept a cat?
• Who will care for the cat if you travel or are unwell?

Personality matters more than looks. An adult cat whose temperament is already known can be easier to match to your needs than a kitten, whose energy and habits are still forming. Shelter staff can often tell you which cats enjoy laps, tolerate noise or prefer quiet homes.

Talk with a veterinarian before adoption if you have health concerns, other pets or young children at home. A good match from the start makes the relationship more supportive for you and less stressful for the cat.

The ASPCA's 2021 estimates put the yearly cost of a cat at about $1,149, including food, litter, routine vet care, preventive medication, toys, treats and pet insurance. Its first-year estimate, including one-time costs, was about $1,904. Prices vary by region and by your cat's health.

Yearly checkups, required vaccines and parasite prevention keep costs down over time. The ASPCA also notes that spaying or neutering helps prevent certain health problems, and that you should never use a dog flea product on a cat.

The CDC notes that cats can carry germs such as Toxoplasma, which can be shed in feces, and that scratches can cause cat scratch disease. Pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system should avoid cleaning litter boxes if possible, or wear gloves and wash their hands afterward.

• Scoop the litter box daily and keep it away from food areas
• Wash your hands after handling your cat, its supplies or litter
• Trim nails and avoid rough play to cut down on scratches
• Wash any bite or scratch right away and seek care if it becomes red, swollen or painful
• Keep vaccines, including rabies, up to date

Landlords are still bound by the Fair Housing Act to weigh reasonable accommodations to rules like a ban on pets when a disability creates the need. Under the Joint Statement that HUD and the Justice Department issued in 2004, a landlord may still request reliable information about that need if it isn't apparent, but in general may not ask what your diagnosis is or how serious it is.

FHEO-2020-01 was withdrawn by HUD as of September 17, 2025. Guidance HUD released on May 22, 2026 says untrained emotional support animals carry no presumption of reasonableness, so landlords consider every request on its own merits. The same guidance dropped the 2020 view that untrained ESAs could never be subject to fees, which means federal rules may now permit a pet fee.

State law can be more protective, so check your state guide. Wherever you live, you are responsible for actual damage, such as a scratched door frame or stained carpet.

Cats are usually low impact, but odor and escapes are common complaints. A clean litter box, an enclosed or covered setup and careful door habits go a long way. Keeping your cat indoors also protects local wildlife and keeps your cat safer.

The ADA doesn't give ESAs a right to enter public places, so your cat stays home when you shop or eat out. Since 2021, airlines may also treat ESAs as pets, so check your airline's cabin pet rules before a trip.

With ESA Letter Therapist, you pick a time online and then talk with a licensed therapist for about 5 to 10 minutes, by phone or on video. When the therapist decides an ESA suits your situation, a signed PDF letter usually follows the same day. You then pass it to your landlord along with your accommodation request.

The price is $129 for one or two animals or $199 for three or more, and you're charged only when a letter is actually issued. California's 30-day requirement under AB 468 applies to ESA dog letters, so check our California guide if you also have a dog.