Let’s dive into what you need to know about using CareCredit to pay for vet costs and pet care.
Jump to important answers:
- What is CareCredit for pets?
- How does CareCredit work?
- What does CareCredit cover?
- What vets accept CareCredit?
- How to use CareCredit with pet insurance
- How to apply for CareCredit
- FAQs
What is CareCredit for Pets?
CareCredit is a health and pet care credit card that gives you the flexibility to pay over time with special financing options. In addition to using it for many human healthcare costs, CareCredit can also be used to pay for pet care at 24,000+ veterinary locations across the U.S. that accept it. It’s a budget-friendly solution to help manage veterinary costs, and pairs perfectly with pet insurance for comprehensive financial protection.
To help ensure your pet gets the medical care it needs, from routine appointments to emergency situations or surgeries, the CareCredit credit card gives pet owners the peace of mind that they are financially prepared with a way to pay for the care their veterinarian recommends.*
With CareCredit, you can pay a vet in the CareCredit network immediately without the need to tap into your bank account or add the balance on your general-purpose credit cards.
When you take advantage of deferred-interest financing options that may not be available with general-purpose credit cards, you make minimum monthly payments and you pay no interest when you pay the full amount due by the end of the promotional period.*
*Subject to credit approval. See carecredit.com for details.
Benefits of CareCredit for Pet Parents:
- Gives you a way to pay overtime for out-of-pocket vet costs
- A dedicated financial solution for veterinary care
- Accepted at 24,000+ veterinary locations
- Works perfectly with pet insurance
Check If You Prequalify
How To Apply
Pro Tip: Get pet insurance to quickly pay off your CareCredit balance. Once you pay for the vet bill with your CareCredit card, submit a claim to your pet insurance provider and you can get reimbursed 70%, 80%, 90%, or even 100% of covered costs.**
**Reimbursem*nt rates vary between insurance providers. You can find 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% reimbursem*nt options from top providers in Pawlicy Advisor’s pet insurance marketplace. See pawlicy.com for details.
How Does CareCredit Work?
The CareCredit credit card, which is issued by Synchrony Bank, works like most credit cards but with special financing options to help fit your budget.
With deferred interest options, repayment periods of 6, 12, or 18 months with promotional financing are available.* All of these options may not be available at every veterinary provider that accepts CareCredit so ask yours for details.
According to CareCredit, these deferred interest financing options allow you to avoid interest by paying off your account balance within the promotional period. However, if it takes you longer than the agreed-to promotional period to pay off your promotional balance, interest is charged from the original purchase date.*
CareCredit also offers longer-term financing options with reduced interest and on fixed monthly payments. However, with this type of promotional financing, the longer the term of financing you choose, the more you’ll pay in interest.
Their website explains, “CareCredit also extends longer term healthcare financing for 24, 36, 48 or 60-month periods with Reduced APR and Fixed Monthly Payments Required Until Paid in Full. Purchases of $1,000 or more may be eligible for a 24-months offer with a 14.90% APR, a 36-months offer with a 15.90% APR, or a 48-months offer with a 16.90% APR. Purchases of $2,500 or more may be eligible for a 60-months offer with a 17.90% APR.”*
These options are also referred to as “special financing” or “promotional financing”.
*Subject to credit approval. See carecredit.com for details.
Check If You Prequalify
How To Apply
What Expenses Can I Use my CareCredit Credit Card On?
The CareCredit credit card can be used for almost any expense for pets at a veterinary clinic, as well as most medical bills for humans as long they are enrolled with CareCredit. It isn’t an insurance product, so there are no coverage limitations. The only limits on the card are whether your veterinarian accepts it as payment or not, and your approved available credit amount.
If your veterinarian accepts CareCredit as a form of payment, you can use it to finance any purchase at the time of service, including sick visits, routine checkups, bloodwork, fecal flotation, and more. Purchases of $200 or more are eligible for promotional financing options*. Here’s a list of some of the services and procedures you can pay for with CareCredit at enrolled provider locations:
Routine Care:
- Annual check-ups
- Spay and neutering
- Vaccinations
- Teeth cleaning
- Parasites
- Dermatology
- Microchipping
- Prescription pet food and nutrition
Unexpected Care:
- Emergency services
- Surgical procedures
- Diagnostics
- Rehab
- Medications
- Care of chronic pet diseases and conditions
- Chemotherapy
- and more
*Subject to credit approval. See carecredit.com for details.
What Vets Accept CareCredit?
Over 24,000+ veterinary locations accept the CareCredit credit card for pets. Pawlicy Advisor makes it easy to find veterinarians in your area that accept CareCredit.
See Vets Near You That Accept CareCredit
If you have a primary care vet that you love, call them and ask if they accept CareCredit. They may also list it as a payment option on their website. You can also use the provider locator here. CareCredit is also accepted at specialty and emergency veterinary hospital locations so you’re also financially prepared for care from veterinary specialists such as oncology, dermatology, orthopedic surgery, and critical care.
Using CareCredit with Pet Insurance
CareCredit works perfectly with pet insurance. Using both solutions together gives you the ultimate peace of mind.
Because CareCredit is a credit card, you are still ultimately responsible for the cost of vet visits, which can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. However, by paying the immediate out-of-pocket costs over time instead of all at once, you can avoid breaking your bank account or tapping out your other credit cards.
Adding pet insurance to the mix can drastically reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
With pet insurance, you’d pay for care with your CareCredit credit card at your vet’s office, then file a claim with your insurance provider, and get reimbursed 70% or more of the covered costs*. Many pet insurance companies process claims and issue reimbursem*nt payouts within a week’s time.
*Reimbursem*nt rates vary between insurance providers. You can find 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% reimbursem*nt options from top providers in Pawlicy Advisor’s pet insurance marketplace. See pawlicy.com for details.
How CareCredit and pet insurance work together:
- Pay the vet bill using the CareCredit credit card
- File a claim to your pet insurance provider
- Get reimbursed by check or direct deposit
- Use the funds to pay off your CareCredit balance
- Provide the best care for your pet and manage the cost
Using pet insurance along with CareCredit, helps ensure you’re always ready to accept the care your pet needs to stay healthy through every stage of life. You can also enjoy peace of mind knowing that insurance coverage means you’ll only be responsible for a fraction of the veterinary bill (after your deductible is met), thereby reducing your out-of-pocket expenses. You’re prepared with a financial safety net that empowers you to manage the cost of vet care for a lifetime.
CareCredit is also useful for paying for those costs that pet insurance doesn’t cover, such as pre-existing conditions.
Check If You Prequalify
Compare Top Pet Insurance Plans
How to Apply for CareCredit
To start a CareCredit application today:
- Step 1: Check if you prequalify
- Step 2: Apply in seconds
- Step 3: See your decision instantly
Check If You Prequalify
Checking if you prequalify is safe, instant, and will not impact your credit bureau score. If approved, get immediate access to special financing options for vet costs of $200 or more – including pre-existing conditions.* It’s accepted at 24,000+ veterinary locations nationwide.
*Subject to credit approval. See carecredit.com for details.
Pro Tip: Consider enrolling in pet insurance to use alongside your CareCredit account. The two budget-friendly solutions together can help you be prepared for all of your pet’s care.
Find The Best Pet Insurance For You
Is It Worth It? Vets Say Yes
Reviews & Ratings
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) website contains multiple listings for “CareCredit” under its “Credit Cards and Plans” category, many of which have A+ ratings.
Wallethub shows hundreds of reviews for the CareCredit credit card with an average of 4 out of 5 stars.
FAQs
What do I do if I can’t afford a vet?
If you can’t afford a vet visit, look into veterinary financing options. For example, CareCredit allows you to pay your vet at the time of service, and then pay back the cost in monthly payments that help fit your budget. Check if you prequalify.
Alternatively, check Pawlicy Advisor’s list of charitable grant programs you might be eligible for.
Can I use CareCredit for my pet?
Yes. CareCredit can be used for pet healthcare expenses, but only if your veterinarian accepts it.
What veterinary services can I use my CareCredit credit card on for cats?
For cats, CareCredit can be used for all types of cat care expenses at a veterinarian’s office that accepts CareCredit, including annual veterinary check-ups, spay and neutering, vaccinations, teeth cleaning, parasite treatment, microchipping, prescription cat food, surgeries, diagnostics, emergency treatment, and more.
What veterinary services can I use my CareCredit credit card on for dogs?
For dogs, CareCredit can be used for on all types of dog care expenses at veterinary providers in the CareCredit network, including annual veterinary check-ups, spay and neutering, vaccinations, dog teeth cleaning costs, parasite prevention, microchipping, prescription dog food, surgeries, diagnostics, emergency treatment, and more.
Can CareCredit be used for horses and other animals?
Just like cats and dogs, the CareCredit card can be used to pay for all types of veterinary services at locations in the network, including for horses, guinea pigs and rabbits, snakes and turtles, and miniature donkeys.
Can you use CareCredit for pet meds?
Yes, if the pharmacy or veterinarian providing the medication accepts it.
What credit score do you need for CareCredit?
CareCredit.com doesn’t list a minimum credit score to apply.
Can you use CareCredit at pet stores?
No. CareCredit is not accepted at pet stores at this time, so it can’t be used to purchase items like toys and pet food at these locations. If your pet store has a built-in pet clinic, you may be able to use it there.
Do pet pharmacies accept CareCredit?
Yes. CareCredit works at pharmacies within CareCredit’s network. You can search for applicable pharmacies on the CareCredit website.
