An unexpected accident, a sudden illness, and a vet bill looming over you as you scramble to figure out how to pay it. It’s a scenario that no pet parent wants to be in. CareCredit offers a way to cover the bill at checkout immediately. Learn more about CareCredit and how you can use it alongside other financing options, like pet insurance, so your focus can be on your pet’s care, not how to afford it.
What is CareCredit?
CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that can be used for a variety of treatments and services, including pet healthcare at participating providers. It's designed specifically with finance, health, wellness, and personal care purchases in mind.
How Does CareCredit Work for Pet Healthcare?
CareCredit provides a revolving line of credit that can be used at participating care providers. If approved, you receive a credit limit. The key feature is its special financing options, which often include promotional 0% APR periods on qualifying purchases if the balance is paid in full within the specified repayment period (e.g., 6, 12, 18, or 24 months).
If you don't pay off the balance by the end of the promotional period, you will be charged interest from the original purchase date (deferred interest). Standard interest rates apply to purchases that don't qualify for promotional financing.
CreditCare vs. Credit Cards
Here’s a quick overview of the difference between CareCredit and regular credit cards.
Feature | CareCredit Card | Regular Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
Interest Rates | Standard high APR; offers deferred 0% APR promotional periods. | Varies; typically standard, immediate APR. |
Perks/Features | Dedicated financing for health and wellness expenses. | Rewards points, cash back, travel miles. |
Penalties | Late payment fees; retroactive interest charge (deferred interest) if promo balance not paid in full. | Late payment fees, higher penalty APR. |
Credit Limit | Varies based on credit score. | Varies based on credit score. |
Use Cases | Specific to healthcare, wellness, and veterinary care providers. | General everyday purchases, bills, travel, etc. |
Care Provider Acceptance | Limited to participating health, wellness, and veterinary care providers. | Generally accepted everywhere. |
What is Deferred Interest on CareCredit?
Deferred interest means that interest payments are postponed during a promotional period. Take CareCredit’s promotional financing options, for example: “No interest if paid in full within 6, 12, 18, or 24 months”. This promotional 0% APR from CareCredit is deferred interest, which is a major difference from a true 0% APR card. This means if you do not pay the full balance by the end of the promotional period (even by $1), you will be charged all of the back interest from the original purchase date.
What Can CareCredit Be Used For?
CareCredit can be used to pay for your pet’s healthcare expenses at participating care providers ranging from illness visits to major surgeries. Here’s a larger list for a better idea.
Eligible Pet Healthcare Expenses
Accidents and injuries
Annual exams
Boarding (at select providers)
Cancer care
Cardiology
Chemotherapy
Chronic disease
Daycare and training (at select providers)
Dental cleaning
Dermatology
Diagnostics (labs and imaging)
Grooming (at select providers)
Hospitalization
Medications
Microchipping
Neurology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedic surgery and rehab
Parasite prevention
Pet food and nutrition (at select vet clinics)
Radiology
Senior care
Spaying and neutering
Surgical procedures
Vaccinations
Eligible Pets
How to Apply for CareCredit
The application process is similar to that of any other credit card. You can apply for CareCredit online or in the app, over the phone at (800) 677-0718, or in person at a participating veterinary clinic. To apply, you will need to provide the following:
First and last name
Social security number
Date of birth
Phone number
Email address
Current home address
Housing information (whether you rent, own, or otherwise)
Requested credit limit
Net household income
There’s an option to check if you prequalify before applying. After submitting your application, you will receive an instant decision and/or a credit limit that you can use immediately.
Pros and Cons of Using CareCredit for Pets
Before deciding on applying for CareCredit, we recommend weighing the pros and cons to evaluate if it’s the best payment option for you.
Pros
If approved, you get immediate access to funds for emergencies
Can help cover unexpected or expensive procedures
Flexible repayment options are available
Widely accepted at veterinary clinics and pet hospitals
0% APR option offered, giving the ability to pay off large bills over a limited amount of time without interest
Cons
High-interest rates can incur if you miss a payment or don’t pay in full
Applying for the card may impact your credit score
Limited acceptance of services at some vet clinics
Tips for Using CareCredit Responsibly
1. Verify Acceptance Before You Need It
Check which vets in your area accept CreditCare before an emergency happens, so you know exactly where you can use the card.
2. Have a Plan to Pay in Full
Only use CareCredit if you are confident you can pay the full promotional balance by the deadline. This is crucial to avoid the deferred interest charge mentioned earlier, which will retroactively apply high-interest rates from the original purchase date.
3. Reserve Using CareCredit for Essential Care
Prioritize using CareCredit only for essential, unexpected medical expenses that you can’t cover through any other means, such as your emergency savings fund or pet insurance.
4. Monitor Your Payments and Deadlines
Use the CareCredit app or set up reminders to keep track of your account balance and payment due dates. This is another crucial step to ensure you don’t miss any payments or the promotional APR deadline.
Alternative Financing Options
If CareCredit isn’t the right fit, or you need additional options, consider these alternatives.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance helps cover unexpected vet bills by reimbursing you for a percentage of the costs. This is a proactive measure that, unlike a credit card, you pay for monthly before an emergency.
Some pet insurers, such as Pets Best, offer direct vet pay. This means they’ll pay the vet clinic directly at checkout, saving you from upfront costs and the time spent waiting for reimbursement.
Other insurers, such as Pumpkin, offer other ways to alleviate the immediate stress of paying out of pocket during an emergency. Pumpkin has an urgent pay service that pays back qualified customers with approved claims for treatments of $500 or more in as little as 15 minutes after submitting a request.
Can pet insurance and CareCredit be used together?
Yes. For example, you could pay your vet bill with CareCredit and then submit the invoice to your pet insurance provider for reimbursement, then use the reimbursement to pay off your CareCredit balance.
Pet Insurance vs. CareCredit
Feature | Pet Insurance | CareCredit Card |
|---|---|---|
What It Is | An insurance policy that helps cover veterinary expenses for your pet’s unexpected accidents and illnesses. | A specialized credit card used for paying for health and wellness costs at participating providers. |
How You Pay the Vet | You pay the vet using your preferred payment method (e.g., cash, check, card). Then you submit an invoice to your insurance company, which then reviews your claim and sends you money back for the percentage of the bill that is covered by your policy. | You use the card to pay the bill, up to your credit limit. You will be responsible for paying off your account balance. |
Costs | A fixed monthly payment, called a “premium.” No interest on your claim amounts. | Can have very high standard interest rates. Offers a time-bound "No Interest if Paid in Full" promotion, but you risk being charged all the back interest if you miss the deadline. |
Credit Impact | No impact on your credit. | Applying affects your score, and missed payments hurt your score. |
Where You Can Use It | Accepted at any licensed veterinary care facility in the U.S. | Only accepted at vets and hospitals that are affiliated with CareCredit. |
How Fast You Get It | There's often a short waiting period before your coverage starts, and you can use it for claims. | You're usually informed of a decision promptly after applying. If approved for a credit limit, you can use it immediately. |
Vet Payment Plans
Some veterinary offices offer in-house payment plans directly to clients. These plans break up the bill into payments over the course of a few weeks or months. Popular payment plans include ScratchPay and Cherry.
Vet Payment Plans vs. CareCredit
Feature | Vet Payment Plans | CareCredit Card |
|---|---|---|
What It Is | A payment arrangement with the vet or a third-party company to pay off a single bill in installments over a set period of time. | A specialized credit card used for paying for health and wellness costs at participating providers. |
How You Pay the Vet | Divides one bill into smaller, set payments over a short time (weeks or a few months).Divides one bill into smaller, set payments over a short time (weeks or a few months). | You use the card to pay the bill, up to your credit limit. You will be responsible for paying off your account balance. |
Costs | The cost depends on the specific plan; some have fixed fees, others have standard interest. | Can have very high standard interest rates. Offers a time-bound "No Interest if Paid in Full" promotion, but you risk being charged all the back interest if you miss the deadline. |
Credit Impact | Varies by plan, but often involves some check of your credit history. | Applying affects your score, and missed payments hurt your score. |
Where You Can Use It | Only works at the vet clinic or facility that offers or accepts that specific plan. | Only accepted at vets and hospitals that are affiliated with CareCredit. |
How Fast You Get It | An application can be done at the time of your vet visit, and usually, you're informed of a decision quickly. If approved, you can use it immediately. | You're usually informed of a decision promptly after applying. If approved for a credit limit, you can use it immediately. |
Pet Emergency Fund
Having money set aside in savings for any emergencies, including ones involving your pet, is a proactive strategy to be prepared for any unexpected vet visits. A drawback can be that it can take time to save money.
Pet Emergency Fund vs. CareCredit
Feature | Pet Emergency Fund | CareCredit Card |
|---|---|---|
What It Is | Money you have set aside in your own savings account. | A specialized credit card used for paying for health and wellness costs at participating providers. |
How You Pay the Vet | You pay the vet with your own money (cash or debit) that you’ve saved up. | You use the card to pay the bill, up to your credit limit. You will be responsible for paying off your account balance. |
Costs | Zero debt, zero interest. The only cost is the money you had to save. | Can have very high standard interest rates. Offers a time-bound "No Interest if Paid in Full" promotion, but you risk being charged all the back interest if you miss the deadline. |
Credit Impact | No impact on your credit score. | Applying affects your score, and missed payments hurt your score. |
Where You Can Use It | Accepted anywhere the vet takes cash or debit payment. | Only accepted at vets and hospitals that are affiliated with CareCredit. |
How Fast You Get It | It takes time to save up the money, but the funds are available right away once saved. | You're usually informed of a decision promptly after applying. If approved for a credit limit, you can use it immediately. |
Bottom Line
The best time to plan for an emergency is before it happens. Check with your vet about their accepted payment options and determine your best financial strategy today. CareCredit is a valuable tool for pet emergencies, offering immediate funds and promotional 0% APR payment options. However, its high standard interest rate and deferred interest clause require responsible use and financial planning. Always understand the terms, including promotional periods and standard APR, before use. Compare CareCredit with alternatives like pet insurance and savings accounts. Stay prepared by checking payment options with your vet and determining your best financial strategy now before an emergency happens.
Disclosures
The information provided here is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute insurance or financial advice. CareCredit is subject to credit approval; terms and interest rates may vary based on an applicant's creditworthiness. Coverage details, exclusions, and terms vary by insurer and state. Mentions of specific companies or plan features are for example purposes only and do not imply endorsement, guarantee of coverage, or availability.
CareCredit FAQs
Can I use pet insurance and CareCredit?
Yes. You are not limited to choosing one over the other. It may be worthwhile to have both pet insurance and CareCredit; using pet insurance to cover accidents and illnesses you can pay upfront for, and CareCredit as a backup payment option for a situation in which you can’t pay the vet bill out of pocket and wait for reimbursement.
Will using CareCredit affect my credit score?
Yes. CareCredit reports to the credit bureaus. Applying for the card results in a hard inquiry. Checking to see if you prequalify does not, however, since that is considered a soft inquiry. Late or missed payments will negatively affect your score. If you use the card responsibly and make payments on time, it can help build your credit score over time.
What credit score do you need for CareCredit?
CareCredit doesn’t have a minimum credit score listed. Approval and credit limits will likely depend on your income, debt, and credit history rather than your credit score alone.
Can I use CareCredit at any veterinary clinic?
No, CareCredit can only be used at veterinary clinics and hospitals that have enrolled as participating care providers. See if CareCredit is accepted at a vet near you.
Is CareCredit worth it for vet bills?
It can be. CareCredit could be worth it if you have a plan to pay off the balance in full before the promotional interest period ends, or if it’s the only way to get your pet immediate, life-saving care.
Does CareCredit cover pet prescriptions?
Yes, if the clinic or hospital you’re receiving pet care at accepts CareCredit.
Can I use CareCredit at Chewy?
No, CareCredit cannot be used at Chewy for any purchases at this time, including prescriptions.
Can I use CareCredit at Petco?
No, CareCredit cannot be used at Petco. However, it may be accepted for Petco’s veterinary services, Vetco. Call your local Petco vet clinic ahead of your visit to verify.
Can I use CareCredit at PetSmart?
No, CareCredit cannot be used at PetSmart. However, it may be accepted at PetSmart Veterinary Services. Call your local PetSmart vet clinic ahead of your visit to verify.
Can I use CareCredit at Amazon?
No, CareCredit cannot be used for any pet-related purchases at Amazon at this time, including prescriptions.
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