Best Credit Cards For Pet Owners

Pet ownership can be expensive, with recurring expenses like food, supplies and veterinary care. A rewards credit card can help offset these costs, but finding the right card is tricky since bonus categories typically don’t include everyday pet expenses. Here are some of the better options available to help you earn rewards on Fido’s food.

Comparing the best credit cards for pet owners

While you may have to plan strategically to save on your pet expenses, there are plenty of credit card choices to help defray costs.

Card Name	Best for	Highlights	Bankrate Score
Credit One Bank® Best Friends® Credit Card	Pet stores	5% cash back at pet shops, pet foods, and supply stores for the first $5,000 per calendar year, then 1%	N/A
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express	Supermarkets	6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) 6% cash back on U.S. streaming subscriptions 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit	4.4
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card	Wholesale clubs and online shopping	3% cash back in your chosen category (on the first $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter in the choice and grocery/wholesale club category, then 1%) 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter in the choice and grocery/wholesale club category, then 1%)	4.3
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card	Selecting specific stores	6% cash back on your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter with two chosen retailers 3% cash back on your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in a chosen everyday category 1.5% cash back on all other purchases	N/A
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card	Flat-rate spending	Unlimited 2% cash rewards on eligible purchases 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (20.24 percent to 29.99 percent variable APR after)	4.3

Top credit cards for pet owners

Best for pet stores

Credit One Bank® Best Friends® Credit Card

Best for supermarkets

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5

4.3

Best for selecting specific stores

U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card

Best for flat-rate spending

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5

4.3

How to choose the best credit cards for pet owners

The best credit card for your needs as a pet owner depends on a few issues you should consider. Here are a few steps for determining which card to choose:

Assess your most significant pet-related expenses. Your pet has unique needs, and which card can earn you the most depends on which eligible stores cater to those needs.
Consider your other expenses. While a card targeted towards your pet’s needs is important, try to find a card that also rewards the other expenses in your budget. For example, earning bonuses at stores like Walmart and Target can cover various needs for both you and your pets.
Assess whether you need financing. If you don’t have the financial flexibility to afford costs like pet adoption or veterinary bills all at once, a solid 0 percent intro APR on purchases can give you time to pay off those expenses without additional interest. If you’re already paying off a balance, a strong intro APR on balance transfers can help consolidate your debt.

How to get additional savings on pet expenses

Even though many cards don’t directly offer bonuses on pet expenses, there are plenty of ways to get additional savings on pet expenses. They require a bit of extra work but can add up to substantial savings.

Discounted gift cards

Many stores offer third-party gift cards to a variety of merchants. You can find these at grocery stores, office supply stores, and discount retailers, to name a few. If they sell gift cards to a merchant where you buy pet supplies, you can buy the gift card and receive the boosted rewards rate (and then use that gift card at the pet store).

Learn more: Can you buy gift cards with a credit card?

Shopping portals

Many credit card issuers offer limited-time bonus offers with participating merchants through online shopping portals. You can search for offers by logging in to your account. Once you link the offer to your account you can use your linked card to make your purchase. Depending on the offer, your qualifying purchase will trigger a statement credit or bonus rewards.

Learn more: How to maximize your credit card rewards with shopping portals

Frequently asked questions

Yes, many sellers allow you to make pet purchases with a credit card.

What’s next?

For an idea of what cards are available to you, enter some basic information into CardMatch™, Bankrate’s prequalification tool. And for more insight into what card best fits your rewards needs, our Spender Type Tool can point you in the right direction.

CardMatch Find your credit card match Caret Right Spender Type Tool Get recommendations based on your spendi Caret Right

The bottom line

Since pet stores and veterinarians aren’t bonus categories you usually find on a rewards card, you’ll need to be strategic about which card you use and when you use it if you want to earn rewards on pet purchases. The most lucrative options are cards that offer rewards on groceries, online shopping and at other major retailers that may carry pet supplies. However, a card with a lengthy intro APR offer is also a good option if you foresee significant upfront pet costs.

*The information about Credit One Bank® Best Friends® Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Best Credit Cards For Pet Owners | Bankrate (2024)