Probably one of the most common questions from the emotional support dog owners is that, is having a dog vest for my ESA a requirement? No, it is not. However, it is a choice, and, as ESA documentation experts, we would highly recommend having a good quality dog vest for your Emotional Support Animal.

While no emotional support animal laws compel you to have a vest to identify your animal as an ESA, having one will help people around you identify it as more than a pet. Your ESA is not just a pet, right? An esa dog vest will help you get the message through.

You can take your pet with you on airplane trips with an emotional support animal letter. Airlines recommend that passengers have their identification tags to know which animal is being traveled as a support animal for them and make necessary arrangements accordingly.

Unlike a plain vest, it is important to put something on your animal that clearly says “Do Not Pet” or even just have an emotionally supportive pet. That way, people will know what they're getting when they come into contact with you and won't try hampering its ability to help others by treating this random furry friend like any other household pet.

A bright dog vest will tell your landlord, airlines and people around that your animal is not a pet but an emotional support for you. It also means that you are entitled to no additional charges by your landlord and airlines and the airline is supposed to provide suitable accommodation for your animal.

Are Emotional Support Dogs and Service Dogs the Same?

No, they are not. A service dog is specifically trained to perform a duty or service that its owner could not do. People with vision and hearing problems, children with autism, and people with limited mobility use them as medical alert dogs and get help with their daily functions.

These animals undergo specific training and have a service animal vest and dog patch like an ESA. The service dog vest should be made with high-quality material.

Emotional support animals, or dogs, are not trained for any particular functions and are only used to support the owner. People suffering from depression, anxiety disorder, or social interaction problems can find comfort in having an emotional support animal. So, these emotional support cats, dogs, or other animals are recognized by the ESA certificate, which must be written and signed off on by a mental health professional.

A pet isn't just any old thing- it's your best friend! With this small cost that you pay monthly for their food & care all year round (depending), it will never again seem like something so important has been missing out of life until now.

How to Measure your ESA and Service Dog for a Dog Harness?

Correct and perfect measurements are important to get a properly fitted dog vest. To take the measurements, take a tape, a flexible one preferably, and wrap it around the dog’s rib cage, the area between its fore and hind legs.

Try to take the measurement as accurately as possible and measure your dog at least a few times to ensure that the measurements are correct. A dog vest that is too small or too big for your dog will make it uncomfortable, and it will not be able to focus on you.

Following is a guiding chart to help you get an idea:

Vest Size	Approx. Girth	Common Breeds
XX-Small Emotional Support Dog Vest	10-14 inches	Very small dogs
X-Small (extra small Emotional Support Dog Vest)	14-18 inches	Maltese, Toy Poodle
Small Emotional Support Dog Vest	18-22 inches	French bulldog, Bichon Frise
Medium Emotional Support Dog Vest	22-27 inches	Pug, Bulldog, Beagle
Large Emotional Support Dog Vest	27-32 inches	Huskie, Boxer, Pitbull
X-Large Emotional Support Dog Vest	32-42+ inches	Great Dane, Doberman

How to Choose the Right Fabric for Vest?

When choosing the right fabric for your emotional support dog's vest, there are no regulations related to it. You can choose any suitable material in order to keep them comfortable and warm.

However, we highly recommend that you stay away from synthetic fabric and stick to breathable ones like cotton and mesh.

What Style to Choose for your Dog Vest Harness?

Generally, there are four types and styles available for dog vests. We have detailed them below to help you understand the benefits and suitability of each style.

1. 1. Padded Vests: Usually, it is a lightweight and cushioned vest with a handle. These vests are perfect when you take your dog for outdoor walking and since it is quite light, your ESA will not have difficulties walking around with it.
2. 2. Lightweight Cotton Vests: These vests could be worn throughout the year since they are lightweight and keep your dog cool and comfortable. To increase the functionality, get an emotional support dog vest with pockets to keep the ID.
3. 3. Breathable Mesh Vests: Mesh vests have an interlaced structure that allows for the great passage of air and keeps your ESA cool. The structure is especially effective for dogs and ESAs living in hot countries or climates.
4. 4. Backpack Vests: These vests are great if you are a student and need a little help carrying your books around. However, make sure that you do not load it too much that your dog is unable to move freely and comfortably.

No matter what style you choose, there are some things that you must keep in mind when getting one for your dog. Make sure that the ESA vest is of high quality and has adjustable straps. Some vests even have reflective straps.

Some of the best emotional support dog vests include Industrial Puppy Dog Vest, Doggie Stylz Vest, Working Service Dog Premium Emotional Support Dog Mesh Vest, and PLUTUS PET No Pull Emotional Support Dog Vest.

Your dog must wear a vest when traveling via airplane so that everyone can recognize him as a support animal. Besides a vest, you need a real ESA letter to travel with your animal peacefully.

As mentioned in the CNN news article by Mr. McCullough, RealESALetter.com specializes in providing valid and legal letters to people with disabilities.

Get an ESA Letter for Greater Support

Once you are done with measuring and placing an order for your emotional therapy dog vest, it is time that you get your ESA letter. Do you know that you can avail yourself of some great advantages with an ESA letter? According to the HUD housing rules for an emotional support animal, an ESA letter from an accredited mental health practitioner is vital for flying and living with an emotional support animal.

The letter must include that the person is emotionally unstable as stated in the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) and that an ESA is recommended to control and manage the symptoms.

Are you Qualified for an ESA?

Luckily, to get an ESA, you don’t have to be in intensive care of a psychiatrist or mental health practitioner. People with chronic depression, anxiety, loneliness, and restlessness mostly apply and qualify for ESA holders. To know if you qualify, take our free pre-screening test and get your ESA letter within 24 hours.

To get a valid ESA letter, please contact a real letter provider like RealESALetter.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to Buy Emotional Support Dog Vest?

Below are some best places where you easily buy the emotional support dog vest.

• Petsmart
• Walmart
• Amazon

What color vests do emotional support dogs wear?

Emotional support dog vests come in various colors, with the most popular being red and blue. However, there's no specific color required - any vest you buy will be comfortable for your dog. You can also put a dog tag on a vest.

What does an orange vest on a dog mean?

Orange vests are used to identify dogs that don't get along well with other canines. This means they may be aggressive, so please stay away from them if you value your safety.