Best Credit Cards for Pet Owners
Ideally, a pet-friendly credit card will return some value in the form of savings or rewards.
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When you open your home to a pet, you commit to a never-ending price tag. But for many, the benefits of owning that scaly, furry or feathered family member outweigh the hard work and responsibilities involved.
Whether you’re budgeting for routine purchases like food and grooming, or preparing for an unexpected expense at the vet, pet care credit cards can return some value in the form of savings or rewards.
The best credit cards for pets aren’t necessarily the co-branded store credit cards that you’ll find at certain pet retailers. Depending on how you shop for your pet, a general purpose credit card may be a better match for your expenses. Here are a few pet-friendly options to consider.
Avoid using a credit card as an emergency fund to prevent debt from spiraling. A small fund of $500 is a great place to start. If your pet qualifies, pet insurance can also lessen the blow to your finances when faced with an unexpected vet bill.
Top credit cards for pet owners
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Our pick for: General pet care and supplies
CARD DETAILS
Rewards: Unlimited 2% cash back on purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable APR.
Why we like it
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has healthy introductory offers and a rewards rate to match. The 2% cash-back card is excellent for all your purchases, including vet bills, pet sitting services and everyday pet-related expenses. You don’t have to worry about maximizing rewards in certain categories or meeting any spending requirements. Additionally, if you need to finance a large purchase or several small ones, this card offers an interest-free window to pay down debt. It could come in handy for a procedure at the vet if you need to supplement an emergency fund. You can also use the card’s sign-up bonus to buy your pet — or yourself — some extra treats.
Drawbacks
Reward redemptions favor Wells Fargo banking customers. If you have a Wells Fargo bank account you can get rewards deposited into your account. Otherwise, you can redeem rewards for statement credit or non-cash-back options like merchandise or travel, to name a few. Also, other cards offer longer introductory 0% APR periods.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Our pick for: Pet purchases at U.S. supermarkets
CARD DETAILS
Rewards:
3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in spending per year.
3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in spending per year.
3% cash back on U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in spending per year.
1% cash back on other purchases.*
Terms apply.
Note that the $6,000 limit is per spending category, not for all three of the 3% categories combined (see rates and fees).
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.74%-28.74% Variable APR (see rates and fees).
Why we like it
If you’re a one-stop shopper, picking up groceries and pet supplies at the supermarket can yield some value with a card like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. You’ll earn a high 3% rewards rate on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year, plus a generous welcome bonus. Also, the introductory interest rate can save you money if you need to finance pet-related purchases.
For even higher rewards at U.S. supermarkets, consider the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. It earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year and rewards in other categories.* It has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. annual fee. Terms apply (see rates and fees).
Drawbacks
If your grocery store, gas or retail budget exceeds $6,000 per year, you might get more value from a credit card with a higher spending cap or no cap at all.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Our pick for: Online shopping
CARD DETAILS
Rewards:
3% back on a category of your choice and 2% back on grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 of combined bonus category/ grocery store/ wholesale club spending per quarter; after hitting that threshold, you’ll earn 1% back on these purchases.
1% back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.74%-27.74% will apply.
Why we like it
If you often shop online for pet food and supplies, you can earn elevated rewards on those purchases with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. The card earns a higher rewards rate on the category of your choice each quarter, one of which is online shopping. The other options are gas/EV charging, dining, travel, drugstores, and home improvement and furnishings. Plus, you get 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs if you ever decide to shop in person. There are also money-saving incentives for new cardholders and loyalty bonuses through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students currently earn elevated rewards during the first year you have either card. Rather than earning 3% on the category you choose, you'll earn 6% back. After the first year, this reverts back to 3%. (You'll earn these elevated rewards, plus 2% back on groceries and wholesale clubs up to $2,500 in combined spending per quarter.)
Drawbacks
With a rewards cap on combined cash-back categories, it’s more difficult to track your rewards based on spending. And, if you spend more than $2,500 per quarter in the elevated categories, you'll get more value with a credit card that offers unlimited rewards.
Citi Strata℠ Card
Our pick for: Travel redemptions
CARD DETAILS
Rewards:
5 ThankYou® points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on cititravel.com.
3 points per $1 spent at supermarkets, on select transit purchases and at gas and EV charging stations.
3 points per $1 spent on an eligible self-select category of your choice, including pet supply stores, as well as fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, and cosmetic stores/barbershops/hair salons.
2 points per $1 spent at restaurants.
1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: For a limited time, earn 30,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.74%-28.74% Variable APR .
Why we like it
If you prefer to limit the number of credit cards you have, the Citi Strata℠ Card is an excellent option for a variety of hefty expenses in your household, including pet care, travel and everyday expenses like groceries, dining out, and gas or EV charging. You can earn 3 points per $1 on purchases made through retailers that sell pet food and supplies. (Pet supply purchases made at drugstores, markets, wholesale clubs, discount superstores and supermarkets aren’t eligible for this rate.) The introductory 0% APR offer can also save you money if you need to finance pet-related expenses. The welcome bonus is most valuable when redeemed for travel, but it can still free up a portion of your vacation budget. After all, those savings can be used indirectly to cover the cost of boarding or pet sitting when you leave town.
Drawbacks
If you want a card that offers the flexibility to redeem rewards for pet-related expenses, this card isn’t ideal. Travel redemptions offer the most value per point, making this card most useful for stashing away rewards for trips. The value of points redeemed for cash is cut in half, so you’re better off with a cash-back credit card if you want that option.
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Strategic shopping
CARD DETAILS
Rewards:
6% cash back on your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter at two retailers of your choice. (See the full list below.)
5.5% cash back on prepaid car and hotel reservations booked directly in the rewards center.
3% cash back on your first $1,500 spent each quarter on eligible purchases in an everyday category of your choice. Categories include wholesale clubs like Sam’s and Costco, EV charging stations, or bills like cell phone, home utilities and TV/internet/streaming services. (Note: gas purchased at discount stores, supercenters and wholesale clubs doesn't qualify.)
1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 bonus after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95.
APR: The ongoing APR is 18.74%-28.74% Variable APR.
Why we like it
With the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card, the list of possible 6%-back merchants includes Chewy.com, Walmart, Target and Amazon.com, among many others. The 3% cash-back tier includes wholesale clubs like Sam’s and Costco, so you can also earn a solid rate if you shop for your pet in bulk. And for those purchases that don’t qualify for the elevated rewards rate, like a vet visit, you’ll still earn a decent 1.5% cash-back rate. It beats the standard 1% base rate offered by many cards that earn tiered rewards.
Drawbacks
The annual fee — $0 intro for the first year, then $95 — may not pass the sniff test for some pet owners. Plus, this card requires some effort to reap its benefits. For instance, you’ll have to choose your 6% and 3% categories every quarter. On top of that, you’ll have to monitor your spending caps to know when you’ve maxed out rewards.
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
Our pick for: Emergencies
CARD DETAILS
Rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Welcome bonus: $200 bonus when you also open a Rewards Checking Preferred account and make 3 debit card transactions.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: The ongoing APR is 14.99%-29.99%.
Why we like it
The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® can be an excellent emergency pet care credit card when a rainy day fund is not enough to cover unexpected costs. It’s a unique and flexible hybrid product that you may use as a credit card or a personal loan, as remaining balances are converted to installment loans. You don’t need to apply, undergo a credit check or pay an origination fee. With either option, you can pay back the amount in equal monthly installments at a fixed interest rate over the allotted time frame. Of course, a credit card with a 0% intro APR, will probably be even better since you won't have to pay any interest during the intro APR period. But, if you won't be able to qualify for a card with 0% intro APR period, this option can potentially save you money.
Drawbacks
If you can't qualify for the card's lower interest rate, carrying a balance on this card will be even more expensive. And because rewards are automatically applied to your next month's balance, you can’t save up your cash back for future redemptions.
NASA Federal Platinum Advantage Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Ongoing balances
CARD DETAILS
Rewards: 1 point per dollar spent on all purchases.
Welcome bonus: None.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 8.90%-17.99% intro APR on balance transfers until balance subject to Introductory APR is paid off, and then the ongoing APR of 13.15%-17.99%, Variable APR.
Why we like it
If you maintain an ongoing balance on your credit card, a low-interest credit card like the NASA Federal Platinum Advantage Rewards Credit Card can potentially save you money, assuming you qualify for the lower rate. Finding a credit card that offers a potentially low ongoing interest rate and rewards, even if modest, is a rarity. Usually, you’re limited to one of these options.
You’ll need to be a member of NASA Federal Credit Union to apply. If you can’t qualify through an employer, organization or a family member, it’s easy to join. The credit union provides you a complimentary one-year membership to the National Space Society which makes you eligible to join NASA Federal Credit Union.
Drawbacks
New cardholders shouldn’t expect a sign-up bonus or 0% introductory APR. If you don’t tend to carry an ongoing balance, the modest rewards and potentially low APR won’t eclipse the value you can get from credit cards that offer hefty rewards.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Pet expenses with less-than-perfect credit
CARD DETAILS
Rewards: 1.5% cash back on purchases, and 5% back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel portal.
Welcome bonus: None.
Annual fee: $39.
APR: The ongoing APR is 29.49% Variable APR.
Why we like it
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card can offer a lot of value if you have fair credit (a credit score of 630 to 689). It’s rare to find a card that welcomes fair credit and also offers a decent cash-back rate on all purchases. There’s also an opportunity to earn a higher credit limit. With on-time payments, the issuer automatically considers you for a higher credit limit in as little as six months. Avoid keeping a balance on this card, though, as the APR is high. If you’re in the habit of maintaining an ongoing balance, consider the NASA Federal Platinum Advantage Rewards Credit Card mentioned above.
Drawbacks
The card packs a $39 annual fee. If you want to make up for the cost, you’ll have to spend at least $2,600 a year, or about $217 per month.
Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card
Our pick for: Pet supplies, boarding and grooming
CARD DETAILS
Rewards:
Unlimited 4% on eligible purchases under multiple categories, including pet-related purchases.
Get 1% back on everything else.
Sign-up bonus: As of this writing: Earn a $100 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, Wells Fargo will donate $50 to Capital Link (a national, nonprofit organization) when you qualify for the $100 cash rewards bonus.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, and then the ongoing APR of 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable APR.
Why we like it
The Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card offers excellent rewards on the purchases you make to pamper your pets. It earns an unlimited 4% back at pet shops, pet food and supplies stores, and other miscellaneous services. Some examples of eligible merchants that earn the 4% back include BarkBox, Chewy, Petco and Rover. It’s rare to find a credit card that specifically rewards purchases like boarding, which can add up when you’re on vacation.
Drawbacks
The card doesn't earn the elevated rewards rate on vet-related purchases. If you want to cover your bases, you can pair both the Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card and the aforementioned Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card to maximize rewards on all pet-related purchases.
Best Friends Credit Card
Our pick for: Rewards maximizers and do-gooders
CARD DETAILS
Rewards: 5% cash back on the first $5,000 of eligible purchases each year, and 1% after that.
Welcome bonus: None.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 29.24% APR.
Why we like it
The Best Friends Credit Card offers a chance to maximize rewards and help pets in need. You’ll earn 5% cash back on eligible pet shop, pet food and supply store purchases for the first $5,000 per calendar year, then 1% thereafter. Exclusions may apply. Credit One Bank also donates an amount equal to 1% of your purchases to Best Friends Animal Society periodically every year. Plus, there’s an opportunity to earn 10% more in cash-back rewards with eligible retailers.
Drawbacks
Cash back is issued automatically as a statement credit, so this card lacks flexibility in terms of redemption options. The interest rate on the card is also extremely high, making it expensive to carry a balance from one month to the next.
Tractor Supply Co. Visa Card
Our pick for: Rural pet owners
CARD DETAILS
Rewards: 5% back on pet care products, grooming services, veterinary prescriptions, and veterinary services purchased across the Tractor Supply Co. and PetSense in stores.
Welcome bonus: Offers may vary.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: The ongoing APR is 31.24% Variable APR.
Why we like it
You might not think of Tractor Supply as a pet store. But because TSC also owns the PetSense brand, the Tractor Supply Co. Visa credit card offers a surprising range of benefits for pet owners. The card earns 5% back on purchases at PetSense in stores and Tractor Supply stores, including food, toys, supplies, and grooming services. You'll also earn 5% back on veterinary prescriptions through Tractor Supply Rx and vet clinic visits inside Tractor Supply stores. Prefer to visit your independent veterinarian? The open-loop (Visa) version of the store’s credit card will earn you 3% back in rewards on those appointments, too.
Drawbacks
Rewards earned on purchases can be redeemed only at Tractor Supply Co., PetSense (in stores) and Tractor Supply Rx. And though Tractor Supply and PetSense by Tractor Supply have thousands of stores across most of the U.S., the card won't be a good fit if you don't shop with this brand frequently or don't have an accessible nearby location.
Nibbles Credit Card
Our pick for: Pet insurance
CARD DETAILS
Rewards: 3% cash back on pet-related expenses and 1% cash back for all other non-related spending.
Welcome bonus: None.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: The ongoing APR is 17.74%-29.99% (as of this writing).
Why we like it
The Nibbles credit card's most compelling feature is the fact that it comes with pet insurance (up to $10,000 in coverage yearly) for accidental injury and illness, which can be used at any licensed vet across the U.S. Plus, the card doesn't charge an annual fee, which makes its pet insurance offer even more valuable. Cardholders also get 3% cash back on pet-related expenses, including pet food, grooming, boarding, dog walking, sitting services, training services and vet bills.
Drawbacks
As of this writing, Nibbles has limitations on pet insurance eligibility. For example, older pets with established conditions will most likely not be approved. You can still get the card even if your pet is not approved for coverage, but then you'd miss out on the card’s most valuable feature. Also worth noting: The card doesn't come with a 0% intro APR offer, so it's not the best choice for financing things like expensive surgeries for your pet.
To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, see this page.
Information related to the Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the issuer of this card.
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