2. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express – Best for Pet Food & Supplies

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Why it’s great: You’ve gotta feed ’em! If a big chunk of your pet budget goes to pet food and supplies at U.S. supermarkets, the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card is a furry friend’s best buddy. It offers 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, which covers most grocery stores – and many pet parents buy pet food during grocery runs. It also gives 3% back on U.S. online retail. All other spending gets 1%. There’s no annual fee, and it often has a welcome bonus.

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Pet perks: High rewards on pet food and on pet supplies online. For example, if you buy dog food at Kroger or Walmart Grocery, you’ll get 3% back. Need to order a new aquarium filter from Amazon? 3% back. Amex even has occasional offers in their Amex Offers program for pet retailers, which you can stack on this card.

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Any drawbacks? The 3% categories are capped at $6k/year in spend – if you have multiple hungry Great Danes, you might hit that. Also, note that big-box stores don’t code as supermarkets, nor do pet stores. So you’ll want to use this primarily if you truly buy pet goods at a grocery store or online. If you spend more or want higher supermarket rewards, consider the Blue Cash Preferred®, but we stick with the no-fee Everyday version for most pet owners starting out.

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3. Best Friends® Credit Card – Best for Pet Store Shoppers & Animal Charity

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Why it’s great: This is one of the few cards designed for pet lovers. The Best Friends® Credit Card gives 5% cash back on up to $5,000 per year at pet shops, pet food and supply stores. So if you frequent local pet stores or big chains like Petco/PetSmart for all your supplies, this card offers unmatched rewards in that niche. Plus, it has no annual fee.

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A heartwarming bonus: Credit One donates 1% of all purchases to the Best Friends Animal Society, a leading pet rescue charity. So every time you swipe for kibble or kitty litter, you’re also helping pets in need!

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Pet perks: The 5% back covers not just pet food, but also grooming, boarding or adoption fees if paid at a qualifying pet store or facility. For instance, if your pet store has an on-site groomer or vet clinic, those might code as pet store purchases too. This card effectively makes you loyal to pet stores – great if you prefer specialty pet retailers over supermarkets. And of course, knowing a portion of your spending goes to animal welfare is a nice feel-good factor.

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Any drawbacks? Outside pet stores, the card only gives 1% back, so you’ll still want a general card for other spending. There’s no intro APR or big sign-up bonus on this card. Also, Credit One isn’t as universally loved as some major issuers, but if you use this alongside a primary card, it’s fine.

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Unique angle: Do you adopt pets or support shelters? Using this card essentially turns your everyday spending into donations – without costing you extra. It’s a small way to “give back” while earning rewards. Kudos can highlight this unique angle, as few other cards do this.

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4. Tractor Supply Co. Visa Card – Best for Rural Pet Owners & Vet Expenses

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Why it’s great: Don’t be fooled by the name – the Tractor Supply Co. Visa is not just for farmers. This card offers 5% back on pet-related purchases at Tractor Supply and PetSense. More impressively, it also gives 3% back on veterinary services. That’s right: this is one of the only general credit cards that specifically rewards vet bills! If you have a PetSense nearby or you use Tractor Supply for bulk pet food, this card is a hidden gem. No annual fee here either.

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Pet perks: Big rewards on vet bills – 3% back can take a bit of the sting out of those shots or surgeries. And 5% at PetSense/Tractor Supply is excellent for rural pet owners who might buy feed or large bags of pet food in bulk. Tractor Supply also sells pet meds and supplies, so you could funnel a lot of pet spend through them. This card basically combines a store card’s high rewards with the flexibility of a Visa you can use anywhere.

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Any drawbacks? If you don’t have a Tractor Supply or PetSense in your area, the 5% category is hard to utilize. The 3% on vet services is only at qualifying locations. And, like the Best Friends card, outside these specific categories you only earn 1%. Treat this as a specialty card in your wallet.

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Insider tip: Even if you’re not rural – some urban/suburban folks use Tractor Supply’s website for pet supplies because their prices can be lower for certain brands. You could use this card online with PetSense/PetSupply websites to get the 5% back. It’s a niche angle, but one that NerdWallet noted as ideal for “rural pet owners” or anyone with multiple animals.

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5. Nibbles Rewards Credit Card – Best for Pet Insurance Coverage

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Why it’s great: The Nibbles Credit Card is a newcomer making… well, nibbling… waves! 🐭 This Mastercard, launched in 2025, combines a rewards credit card with pet insurance. It offers decent cash-back rewards. Essentially, if your pet has a medical emergency, Nibbles can reimburse eligible vet expenses through its built-in insurance policy – something no other credit card does directly. This innovative twist lands it on our list for pet owners worried about expensive vet bills.

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Pet perks: Peace of mind. Even if you have separate pet insurance, this card adds an extra layer. If you don’t have pet insurance, it effectively gives you some coverage just by being a cardholder. On the rewards side, Nibbles card typically has 4% back at pet stores – a strong earning rate for pet spend. So it overlaps a bit with the Best Friends card on rewards, but the real perk is the insurance benefit which can cover things like accidents or illnesses up to a certain limit annually.

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Any drawbacks? This card might have an annual fee – the details are evolving, so check the latest terms. Also, the insurance covers eligible medical expenses for pets, but likely won’t cover routine stuff. It’s worth getting if you worry about large unexpected vet costs and can utilize the pet-store rewards too. If your pets are older or have pre-existing conditions, that insurance may not cover those issues. So, it’s a specialized product – great for some, unnecessary for others.

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Unique angle: We include Nibbles to show Kudos readers we’re on top of new trends. NerdWallet even notes “it’s rare to find a credit card that specifically rewards purchases like boarding or comes with pet insurance”– and Nibbles does exactly that. If you’re a pet parent who loves trying new fintech-y solutions, this could be up your alley.

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How to Choose the Right Card for You

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You’ve seen our favorite picks – now, how do you decide which ones deserve a spot in your wallet? Consider these factors:

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• Where do you spend most on your pet? If you’re all about Petco/PetSmart runs, a pet-store card could serve you well. If you grab pet food during grocery trips, a supermarket card is ideal. For online shoppers, look at cards that reward online retail or offer a high flat rate.

• Do you need to finance large expenses? If you have a looming vet procedure or just dropped $1,500 on a surprise surgery, prioritize a card with a 0% intro APR or consider CareCredit. Paying no interest for 12+ months beats putting a big vet bill on a high-interest card. Just have a payoff plan.

• Do you have good credit? The top rewards cards typically require good to excellent credit. You can always upgrade to a better pet rewards card later.

• Extra perks & protections: This is the cherry on top. For example, some travel credit cards have trip cancellation insurance that covers pet emergencies – e.g., certain Citi cards will reimburse you if you have to cancel a trip because your pet gets sick. That’s not a reason alone to get a card, but if you already travel, it’s a cool pet-related benefit. Likewise, the Nibbles card’s pet insurance or Best Friends card’s donations might sway you if those align with your values.

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In short, match the card to your pet lifestyle: big dog or multiple pets (lots of food = get a grocery card), clumsy puppy, animal rescue advocate (the charity card), etc. You might even carry two: e.g. use Active Cash everywhere for 2%, but pull out Best Friends Card at Petco for 5%.

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Pro tip: If that sounds like a lot to juggle, an app like Kudos can automatically recommend which of your cards to use at checkout to maximize your rewards – super handy when you’re juggling leashes and credit cards at the register!

Maximizing Rewards on Pet Spending (Beyond the Card Itself)

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Before we wrap up, here are a few quick tricks to squeeze extra value out of whichever card you choose:

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• Shop through online portals: Websites like Rakuten or your card issuer’s shopping portal often give extra cashback or points at pet retailers. It could be as simple as 5% extra back for clicking through the portal – an easy stack on top of your card rewards.

• Card-linked offers: Check your card’s app for offers. Chase, Amex, Bank of America – they all have rotating deals. Kudos can help surface these too with our Boost feature.

• Buy gift cards at a discount: If your card gets a bonus at grocery stores or office supply stores, those places often sell pet store gift cards. TPG gave a hot tip: buy a Petco gift card at the supermarket (earn grocery rewards), then use that gift card at Petco for your pet items. Effectively, you earn rewards twice. Just don’t overdo it – only buy gift cards you’ll actually use.

• Leverage subscription discounts: Not a credit card tip per se, but worth a mention – many pet services give discounts for auto-pay or subscriptions. Use your rewards card for those auto-payments to rack up points on top of the subscription savings.

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By combining the right card and smart shopping tactics, you’ll ensure every dollar you spend on Fido or Fluffy works harder for you. Your pet might not notice the difference – but your wallet will!

Final Thoughts

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Pet ownership may be a never-ending price tag, but at least you can earn something back and soften the blow of those expenses. The best credit card for you ultimately depends on your pet’s habits. Some of us treat our dogs like royalty and travel with them, so a general travel card with pet-friendly perks might be best. Others just want to save on the monthly Chewy order, making a cashback card king.

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The cards we highlighted offer a mix of high cashback, flexible rewards, and special pet-oriented benefits. In many cases, a general cashback card beats a store-specific card, unless you truly spend almost exclusively at that store. And remember, credit cards shouldn’t replace an emergency fund – having a little savings for pet emergencies is important, with cards as a backup plan.

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We hope this roundup helps you find a purr-fect credit card match for your pet expenses. Using even one of these cards can fetch you a few hundred dollars a year in rewards or savings – which can go right back into treats and toys for your beloved companion. Happy swiping, and give your pet an extra cuddle from us!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Can you use a regular credit card for veterinary expenses?

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Yes, most veterinary clinics accept standard credit cards. Using a cashback card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card can help offset veterinary costs by earning rewards on every payment.

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Are pet store credit cards worth it?

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Yes, pet store credit cards can offer great rewards if you frequently shop at specific stores. For instance, the Credit One Bank® Best Friends® Credit Card earns 5% back at pet stores, making it ideal for dedicated pet spending.

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Is there a credit card that includes pet insurance?

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Yes, the Nibbles Credit Card includes built-in pet insurance coverage. It provides reimbursement for eligible pet medical expenses, making it a unique option for pet owners worried about veterinary bills.

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Can I finance pet care expenses interest-free?

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Yes, certain credit cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offer introductory 0% APR periods. Alternatively, specialized cards like CareCredit offer promotional financing specifically for veterinary expenses—just ensure you pay off the balance before interest accrues.

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Can a credit card help me donate to animal charities?

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Yes, some credit cards, like the Credit One Bank® Best Friends® Credit Card, donate a percentage of each purchase to animal welfare charities, helping you support pets in need while making everyday purchases.