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With their beady eyes, floppy ears, and tiny paws, rabbits are undeniably adorable. But all that cuteness isn’t just for show—it can help ease everyday symptoms for people living with mental or emotional conditions.
In this guide, we’ll break down the facts about getting an emotional support rabbit, answering common questions like:
- Can a rabbit be an ESA?
- Why do rabbits make good companions?
- What are the best rabbit breeds for emotional support?
- How can you make your rabbit an emotional support animal?
Can a Rabbit Be an Emotional Support Animal?
Yes, a rabbit can be an emotional support animal (ESA) as long as it helps ease the symptoms of a mental or emotional condition.
The Fair Housing Act (FHA), the federal law that protects the right of people with disabilities to keep ESAs, doesn’t specify which animals can and cannot be ESAs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which enforces the FHA, doesn’t either.
So, in addition to dogs and cats, emotional support animals can include hamsters, birds, snakes, rats, and, of course, rabbits.
How Common Are Emotional Support Rabbits?
Rabbits are a common choice for an emotional support animal, especially in urban areas with limited space and noise restrictions. Dogs and cats remain the most popular ESAs, but bunnies are hopping into the mix. Here are two examples of real-life rabbit ESAs:
- Budgie is an emotional support rabbit who helps his owner, Jean Mellano, cope with Parkinson’s disease by offering companionship and adding structure and purpose to her day.
- Finn (@bigredbun on Instagram) is an ESA rabbit who helps his owner, Erin Scannel, deal with her anxiety and depression. She had a hard time transitioning to a new university, so she got the Holland Lop, who has been helping her calm down and improve her mental health.
Why Do Rabbits Make Good Emotional Support Animals?
Because everyone needs a friend who is all ears—ba dum tss!
While any animal can serve as an ESA, bunnies have certain traits that make them stand out, including:
| Trait | What It Means for You |
| Small | Many popular rabbit breeds weigh 2–6 pounds, so they don’t need a huge cage or roaming area. That’s why rabbits are a good ESA option if you have a smaller home. |
| Quiet | These soft little companions aren’t as vocal as dogs and cats, so they can give you a quiet sense of comfort if you struggle with loud noises. You also won’t have to deal with barks and caterwauls that can keep your neighbors up at night. |
| Clean | Like cats, rabbits groom themselves frequently using their tongues and paws. So, as long as you keep the litter box clean, you don’t have to worry about your fluffy hopper stinking up your home. |
| Cuddly | Most rabbit breeds enjoy being petted and can cuddle with you for hours at a time. With their soft fur, they are perfect ESAs for those who need tactile comfort to feel better. |
| Trainable | Rabbits are easy to train. They only need a little guidance to use a litter box, so you can let them roam and offer companionship around the home without making a mess. You can also train them to respond to their name and even perform tricks. |
Plus, there are dozens of rabbit species, so everyone can find one that best meets their support needs.
Best Rabbit Breeds for Emotional Support
Most rabbit breeds can serve as emotional support animals, but some are better at it because they are more social, less aggressive, and tend to form strong bonds with humans. They include:
- Holland Lop
- Mini Rex
- Mini Lop
- Lionhead
- Dutch Rabbit
- English Angora
Holland Lop
Holland Lops are known for their friendly, playful, and energetic personalities. They enjoy interacting, seeking attention, and spending quiet time snuggling with their favorite humans. These snuggle nuggets are perfect for people who need constant companionship to calm their symptoms.
Mini Rex
A Mini Rex is a small, calm, floppy-eared friend known for its incredibly soft, velvety fur. Their coat is short and doesn’t require much grooming, making them great ESAs for people who struggle with handling too many daily responsibilities.
Also, while they are not hypoallergenic, they don’t produce as much dander as other breeds, making them less likely to trigger allergies in neighbors or visitors.
Mini Lop
Mini Lops stand out for their compact, rounded bodies and gentle expressions that exude cuteness from every angle. They have a calm and gentle vibe but enjoy interacting and playing with their owners, making them a good ESA option for people needing interaction or a calming presence, depending on the situation, to feel better.
Lionhead
The Lionhead is a curious, friendly, and playful rabbit breed known for its short, prick ears and unique fluffy wool mane resembling a lion’s. This emotional support rabbit is quite petite, weighing 2.5–3.75 pounds, so it’s perfect for small homes and apartments.
Dutch Rabbit
Dutch rabbits are a popular pet breed known for their unique color pattern. They have a calm and affectionate personality and can quickly form strong bonds with their owners. However, most Dutch rabbits don’t like being held, so they are only a good ESA option if you need a peaceful presence for calm and comfort rather than constant interaction.
English Angora
The English Angora can be a good emotional support rabbit for people who need to pet or cuddle with their bunny to relax and reduce stress. It has long, silky fur, enjoys being groomed and cuddled, and forms strong emotional connections with its owner.
This bunny needs regular grooming to prevent matting, so it can help establish a consistent routine. However, this also means it may not be the best ESA option for those who find it difficult to perform daily tasks.
How To Register My Rabbit as an Emotional Support Animal
You do not need to “register” or “certify” your rabbit to make it an emotional support animal. There’s no national registry for ESAs, and any offer for emotional support rabbit registration services is a red flag for a service that’s not entirely legit.
For your bunny to be considered an emotional support rabbit, the only paperwork you need is an ESA letter. It verifies that you have a diagnosed mental or emotional condition and that your support companion is part of your treatment plan.
A valid ESA letter must:
- Come from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP)
- Contain the LMHP’s full name, National Provider Identification number, state license number, and contact details
- Confirm that you have a mental or emotional condition (it shouldn’t say exactly which)
- State that your emotional support rabbit is part of your treatment plan
Without this letter, you’ll miss out on the housing protections meant for ESAs, such as being allowed to live in houses with no-pet policies and not having to pay a pet rent or pet deposit.
How To Get an ESA Letter for Your Emotional Support Rabbit
You can get an ESA letter for your fluffball by following these steps:
- Find a licensed LMHP practicing in your state
- Schedule an appointment
- Get evaluated and diagnosed based on the DSM-5-TR guidelines
- Receive an ESA letter if approved
While this process seems straightforward, it can take a lot of time and effort, especially if you don’t already have a therapist.
You’d have to search local providers to find one that can help, as not all LMHPs are familiar with ESA regulations or willing to issue an ESA letter. Those who are will often have waiting lists, which can be problematic if you need the letter quickly.
Plus, you might have to find time to travel to their practice for an in-person consultation, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll pass the assessment.
Fortunately, there’s a faster and easier way to get an ESA letter. A reputable online service like Your Service Animal can help you get it from the comfort of your home in a couple of days.
Your Service Animal—The Easiest Way To Get an ESA Letter
With Your Service Animal, you don’t have to hunt down local therapists, wait weeks for an appointment, or travel to their practice for consultation. The platform offers a fully remote service you can access from your couch with your emotional support rabbit curled up on your lap.
Here’s what makes Your Service Animal the easiest way to get an ESA letter:
| Feature | Benefit |
| Free pre-qualification quiz | Know if you are likely to qualify before paying or scheduling an appointment |
| State-licensed LMHPs | Get connected with state-licensed therapists specializing in ESA evaluations to ensure your letter is valid |
| Fast turnaround | Receive your ESA letter within 24–48 hours after approval |
| 100% money-back guarantee | Get a full refund if you don’t qualify for the letter or your landlord rejects it |
How It Works
Getting an ESA letter with Your Service Animal is quick, easy, and stress-free. Here’s all you need to do:
- Find out if you’re a good fit for an ESA letter with our online quiz
- Schedule an online appointment with a licensed mental health practitioner in your state
- Attend the online call and receive your ESA letter if clinically appropriate
- Receive a full refund if the therapist doesn’t issue an ESA letter or your landlord rejects your letter
