Which animals can be an emotional support animal?

Any animal can be an emotional support animal

Because UK law does not define emotional support animals, it does not limit them to dogs or cats either. A rabbit, a guinea pig, a bird or any other animal you can legally keep can be an emotional support animal if it supports your mental health.

The one category that is limited is assistance animals. The Equality Act 2010 defines an assistance dog, and only a dog that has been trained can be one. So a rabbit can be an emotional support animal, but not an assistance animal, and neither can a dog that has not been trained.

Renting with a rabbit, bird or other animal

For a private tenancy in England, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 defines a pet as an animal kept mainly for personal interest, companionship or ornamental purposes. There is no species list, so the same process applies: ask in writing, describe the animal, and your landlord must answer within 28 days and not unreasonably refuse.

What a landlord may take into account does depend on the animal. GOV.UK gives examples of refusals that may be reasonable, including a property too small for a large pet or several pets, and a pet that is illegal to own. Describe the animal fully, including where it will live and how it is housed. How to ask your landlord for a pet.

Animals that are illegal to own

No emotional support role changes what is lawful to keep. For dogs, it is against the law in the UK to own a Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro or XL Bully without a valid Certificate of Exemption. Check the rules for any unusual animal before you get it.

Travelling with other animals

Outside the home, other animals have no more access than an emotional support dog, which is to say none as of right. On National Rail you may take up to two dogs or other small domestic animals free, with animals other than dogs in a suitable carrier, unless a train company sets its own conditions. Several UK airlines carry no animals except assistance dogs. Flying and travel.

A letter for any species

Our letter can cover a dog, a cat or another animal, up to two per letter. The doctor confirms that the animal supports your mental health; the species does not change what the letter can do. How the letter works · emotional support dogs · emotional support cats · choosing a dog.