What Kind of Pets Make the Best ESA?

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Some people find the perfect emotional support animal in the pets they already have at home. Others are yet to choose one from adoption shelters or local pet stores. If you need some help picking the right ESA, here’s a list that could help you narrow down your search.

Top 5 Most Popular Emotional Support Animals

Most people find comfort in the companionship offered by certain types of animals. These pets have proven themselves to be awesome ESAs. Here are five of the most popular emotional support animals you may want to know about.

1. Dogs  

It’s not a surprise that doggos come first on the list. Dogs are established animal aids ever since it became a thing. From service animals to therapy animals, these four-legged furries have dominated the ESA population in numbers. Many studies show that petting dogs encourage our brains to release neurochemicals which helps us relax and feel positive emotions. Here are three of the most popular ESA dog breeds according to the internet!

Retrievers  

Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers top the list of the most affectionate emotional support dog breeds. They are known for their playful personality, intelligence, and adorable grin! They may be way too friendly to become guard dogs, but they make for the perfect ESA.

Pit bulls  

Pit bulls – probably the most misunderstood animals in the world – are actually amazing emotional support dogs. Ask every pit parent out there and they will surely agree with this. Pit bulls are very loyal and are also great empathizers. The Fair Housing Act allows people to live with emotional support pit bulls even in states and cities with breed-specific legislation. So, don’t be quick to dismiss them as one of your ESA candidates. We encourage you to do your own research and find out the truth about this dog breed!

Irish Wolfhound

These gentle giants are a popular ESA choice for plenty of reasons. They are reliable, easy-going, and sensitive above all other positive traits. Their smile can turn a bad day around. They are just so loveable!

Small dogs

Let’s not forget about Chihuahuas, King Charles Spaniel, Yorkshire Terriers, French Bulldogs, and other miniature dog breeds. The little ones are a practical choice for those who need emotional support animals to accompany them on air travel. Individuals with a fear of flying and those who experience a lot of anxiety in tight spaces like passenger cabins find that having an ESA helps ease the stress caused by being in those situations. Small dogs are perfect emotional support animals because most airlines have posed restrictions on kennel dimensions. Having a small dog will make it easier for you to get your ESA onboard.

2. Cats

Felines are portrayed as detached and non-emotional creatures by the mainstream media. While it is true that they really do appreciate being left alone and having some space away from their hoomans from time to time, they remain to be wonderful animal companions. Research conducted by BBC Earth found that cats can actually sense emotions! According to the study, they are capable of reading facial expressions which help them recognize whether a person is happy or sad. Their ability to empathize may not have been scientifically proven but many cat parents swear their purring pals can relate to them.

3. Birds, Fish, and Fancy Rodents

If you are allergic to dogs and cats, these three are great alternatives to Mr. Paws. Birds, fish, and fancy rodents are super low-maintenance. They remain small in size even upon reaching adulthood which is great for those who are living in studio apartments or small condominium units. They pose little to no risk of property destruction which will surely put your landlord at ease. But aside from being a practical choice, these animals make fantastic emotional support animals for other reasons. 

Studies show that watching a fish swim in their aquarium is an effective stress reliever. The presence of talking birds can also help reduce feelings of isolation which can be incredibly helpful to people suffering from depression. Fancy rodents like hamsters and guinea pigs are not only amusing pets – they are also remarkable emotional support animals. They are capable of showing affection through perching and grooming their human. Isn’t that endearing?

Can any animal become an ESA?  

Yes, any animal is qualified to become an ESA. If you realize that you find comfort in the companionship of your pet reptile, there is nothing that could stop you from promoting him as your emotional support animal (unless he’s on the list of the world’s most endangered species!)

We think it’s important for everyone to know that your options are not limited to the list we have put together above. They may be the popular choice for those who were prescribed with an ESA but, you can always think outside the box.

Then again, not all “unconventional” emotional support animals are granted the same privileges as the pets we are accustomed to seeing every day. For example, some airlines only allow emotional support dogs and cats to board with their humans inside the cabin. Moreover, there had been records of disputes filed by landlords against individuals who insist on keeping exotic animals as their ESA on the property. If you are living in an apartment or are a frequent flyer who is planning to take their ESA with them on travels, we suggest that you stick to the animals on our short list.

Though, it is fascinating to read stories about people who chose goats and kangaroos as their emotional support animals. Their experiences with their unconventional ESAs prove that it’s really all about that connection between the animal and the human. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what type of animal or what breed of dog your ESA is. But, if you’re looking for a place to start your search for the perfect ESA, this list will surely help you out with that. We hope you find the perfect emotional support animal for you!