Oct 30, 2025
Whether you have new bills from a recently adopted pet, higher everyday expenses due to a change in pet care, or an emergency veterinary bill, you can look into a pet loan to help you manage your pet-related expenses.
Pet ownership can be costly, especially if you’re facing a sizable veterinary expense. With careful planning, pet financing options can help keep your pet healthy and happy while protecting your budget.
Yes. It may be possible to get a loan to cover pet expenses. While most lenders don’t offer loans specifically for pet-related expenses you can apply for a personal loan. Personal loans can be used for various reasons, including emergency veterinary care, everyday pet expenses, or other needs. Your vet may offer financing for medical costs like a specific procedure or ongoing treatments.
A pet loan is a personal loan designated for pet-related costs. Personal loans don’t require collateral. They usually offer a fixed rate and repayment term, so you can plan for a predictable monthly payment. With a Discover® Personal Loan, for example, you can choose how long you’d like to repay your loan—from 36 up to 84 months. And you can check your rate before you apply. It takes minutes and won’t affect your credit score.
You can use pet loans for more than adoption costs. They can also help with veterinary costs for a pet surgery like spaying or neutering, or vaccinations and microchipping. You could use a pet loan to buy fish and aquariums, especially if you’re setting up a large tank or getting specialty fish.
Additionally, loans for pet emergencies can be vital for the health of your cat or dog. A personal loan can help you pay for lifesaving and critical veterinary care.
Dogs and cats are the world’s most popular household pets, and adoption costs can range from a few hundred dollars at a local rescue shelter to thousands of dollars for a purebred animal.
Each breed and breeder are different. When you research pet options, be sure to look into what each shelter or breeder charges for adoption. You’ll want to know, also, if your new family member will have had their first set of required vaccinations or be neutered when you adopt them, or if you’ll have to pay for that, too.
Further, adoption costs are only the beginning: dog owners can spend from $1,000 per year for food, veterinary care, grooming, training, and other essentials. Cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs can cost several hundred dollars annually. Birds and fish may be less expensive, but depending on how exotic your scaly or feathered friend is, you could be looking at bigger bills.
Your veterinarian’s office should be able to share estimated costs of annual exams and tests. You can call different offices to compare prices as you choose a doctor. Your local shelter may be able to direct you to low-cost or free care, as well.
Preventative care is critical for keeping your cat or dog healthy long term, and many cities and states require certain licenses and vaccinations for pets. For example, rabies vaccinations are required by almost all states, with some exceptions allowed.
Generally, preventative care can be more affordable than emergency care . Similar to human care, regular checkups can ensure early treatment of ongoing problems. And preventative care can help you and your pet avoid infections or other harms like heartworm, rabies, or bacterial infections from the environment. So, budgeting for annual checkups could help you avoid a larger bill.
To plan for pet expenses, build them into your budget. Try to be thorough as you think about what you might need to pay for. Depending on the pet, essential items for your budget could include:
It’s important to know your budget and how much you can afford each year. If you need extra financial support for an unexpected expense, a pet loan may be right for you.
Pet owners have options when it comes to lowering the cost of caring for a pet. One strategy is to shop around for a veterinary practice or affordable prescriptions providers. Also, you can search online resources for low-cost vet services for income-qualified pet owners. Additionally, veterinary colleges may also provide low-cost services, so check your local area for nearby schools.
Another way to reduce pet-related expenses is to groom your dog or cat at home. And if you want to avoid the bathtub mess, search your local pet stores for a self-service grooming booth.
If you need a pet sitter, think about asking trusted friends or family members instead of paying for a kennel or professional boarder.
Pet insurance can help provide a buffer for pet costs and be a great resource to cover costs of an unexpected illness or injury. And your employer may even offer a pet insurance benefit. Do your research before you adopt your pet as some insurance companies don’t cover preexisting conditions.
Before you choose an insurance carrier, explore what your premiums and deductibles would be with different plans, just as you would with your own health insurance. Also, ask your employer if they offer pet insurance as a benefit.
Pets are wonderful companions, and helping them live a healthy, happy life is any pet parent’s number one goal. It’s important to know your budget and financial options to minimize stress and provide well for your pet.
Pet expenses can vary widely and grow quickly. At Discover Personal Loans you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that you have the flexibility to borrow as little as $2,500 or as much as $40,000 with credit approval.
Interested in exploring how a personal loan might help with upfront or ongoing pet care costs? Use our calculator to see what your monthly payments could be for a Discover personal loan—with no impact to your credit score.
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The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as professional advice. Nothing contained in this article shall give rise to, or be construed to give rise to, any obligation or liability whatsoever on the part of Discover, a division of Capital One, N.A., (Discover) or its affiliates.
