In this article, we will be discussing the six best emotional support animals. Pets provide invaluable support to their owners in a number of ways—from reducing stress levels to decreasing anxiety. If you’re considering getting a pet as an emotional support animal, read on to find out which six animals are the best fit!
An ESA, or emotional support animal, is a pet that provides invaluable support to its owner in a number of ways. These animals can help reduce stress levels, anxiety, and even depression. If you’re considering getting an ESA, it’s important to do your research and find the right animal for you. Not all animals make good ESAs, so here are six of the best ones to consider!
1) Hamsters
Hamsters make great pets for those who lead more sedentary lifestyles. They’re small and relatively easy to care for (and they’re not expensive either). One downside is that they can live up to 10 years, which means you’ll need time and patience if you decide on one as your new furry friend.
To care for your hamster, you will need to:
- Feed it a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables (and a small number of pellets).
- Make sure it has access to clean water at all times.
- Bathe it once a week (using water and mild soap).
- Clean its cage regularly.
2) Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs make wonderful pets for those who have busy lifestyles because they don’t need a lot of attention. In fact, they can be left alone for long periods of time and will not become upset. They’re also very gentle, so you needn’t worry about them biting or scratching anyone.
Though guinea pigs are very easy to care for, it’s important that you give them the necessary attention daily (as you would any other pet). This includes:
- Giving them fresh water every day.
- Providing them with their favorite foods (eg strawberries, apples, or bananas) at least once per week.
- Brushing their fur regularly to keep it healthy and tangle-free.
3) Turtles
Turtles are another great low-maintenance choice for a pet. They don’t need a lot of attention and can be kept in a tank with very little fuss.
In fact, one downside to having a turtle as your emotional support animal is that you will have to spend some time watching it swim around its tank—but this shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise!
The easiest way to care for your turtle is by feeding it once or twice per day (depending upon the size). It’s also recommended that you keep the water clean by cleaning out both the water and any items which are in it (like rocks) on a weekly basis.
4) Dogs
While some people think that dogs are too high maintenance to be good emotional support animals, they’re actually an excellent choice. When it comes to animals providing emotional support, dogs are on the top. They’re loyal and always happy to see you (and don’t like to miss out on fun).
If you choose a dog as your emotional support animal, it’s important that you make sure it gets the exercise and attention it needs. These include:
- Take your dog for walks (at least once per day).
- Play with it in the park at least twice per week.
- Brush its fur every day.
5) Cats
Cats are another great option if you just can’t get enough furry friends! They’re easy to care for and very relaxed—making them great emotional support animals.
In order to care for your cat, you will need to:
- Feed it a balanced diet (always including wet food and dry food).
- Provide it with fresh water every day.
- Keep its litter box clean at all times (by changing the litter and cleaning out any waste weekly).
6) Parrots
Parrots make great emotional support animals because they’re intelligent and can be trained to mimic human speech. They also require a lot of attention from their owners—and this means cuddles! Parrots are fun pets that have been known to live for over 100 years. Since they can live that long, it’s important that you keep them happy by giving them the following:
- Plenty of toys and an interesting environment to keep them from becoming bored.
- Lots of love and attention! Parrots need a lot of interaction with their owners in order to stay happy.
Other emotional support animals include:
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Rabbits
Rabbits do well as emotional support animals, though they require a lot of attention and can be very loud. Before bringing a rabbit into your home as an emotional support animal, make sure you’re ready for all of the work it takes to keep one happy!
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Birds
Birds are intelligent creatures that often bond strongly with their owners. In fact, they can live for up to 80 years—so it’s important that you give them the attention and love they need!
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Primates
Primates are another animal that can make wonderful emotional support animals. They’re a little more expensive, however, as they require a lot of care and keepers to make sure they’re taken care of properly.
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Reptiles
Reptiles are great emotional support animals for people who want to have a pet without all the extra work! However, they won’t make your life any easier. In fact, taking care of a reptile typically consists of providing it with a temperature that’s just right and making sure its food and water are always available.
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Fish
Having a fish as an emotional support animal can be great because you don’t need to spend much time caring for them! You do, however, have to remember to feed them and clean their tank, but this won’t cause too much trouble on your end.
In summary, all animals make great emotional support as long as they receive the care and attention they need. In fact, not only should you consider these six animals as emotional support animal candidates—they’re also fun pets for those looking for a furry friend!
Do you need a furry friend in your life? They’re easy to care for and provide invaluable emotional support when times get tough! From dogs to cats, we’ve got something for everyone on this list. So what are you waiting for? Get yourself the perfect companion today!
