If you're spending real money on pet food, grooming, and supplies, you’ve probably wondered if Petco’s credit card could pay you back. The answer depends on two things: how often you shop at Petco — and whether you pay your balance in full every month.

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What you get with Petco’s credit cards

Petco offers two cards through Comenity Capital Bank: the store-only Petco Pay Credit Card and the Petco Pay Mastercard (usable anywhere). Both have no annual fee.

Key perks at a glance

• Earn 2 Vital Care points per $1 spent at Petco
• Get 20% off your first purchase the same day you open your account
• Every purchase triggers a donation to Petco Love (at no cost to you)

That welcome bonus alone could save you $20 on a $100 purchase.

Store card vs. Mastercard

If you shop for pet food at grocery stores or want flexibility, the Mastercard version tends to make more sense. The grocery bonus is especially useful since many pet owners buy pet supplies during regular grocery runs.

The real math behind Vital Care points

Vital Care points are available through the Core (free) and Premier (paid) rewards programs. Let’s break down what the points are actually worth.

Rewards value in plain English

Point expiration

Points expire after one year with the credit card (compared to 90 days for regular members). That’s more breathing room, but you still need to redeem rewards before they disappear.

Example: what you might earn in a year

If you spend $600 yearly at Petco (pretty typical for a dog or cat owner), you’d earn about 1,200 points. That converts to roughly $36 in rewards — about a 6% return.

High APR alert

The standard APR is 34.49% variable, which is steep even by credit card standards.

Example: carry a $500 balance for three months, and you’ll pay about $43 in interest — which can wipe out a big chunk of what you earned in rewards.

Practical rule: This card only makes sense if you pay your statement balance in full, every month.

Where you can actually use these cards

The basic Petco Pay Credit Card works at Petco stores and Petco.com. The Mastercard works anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

If you’re deciding between the two, the limited-use store card is the biggest tradeoff. The Mastercard gives you more flexibility (plus grocery rewards) without giving up the Petco points.

Customer service and returns

Both cards are managed by Comenity Capital Bank (not Petco), so you’ll handle payments and account questions through Comenity.

• Store card customer service: 1-877-751-1607
• Mastercard customer service: 1-855-266-0558
• Online account access: Use Comenity’s portal for payments and balance checks
• Returns tip: Petco can’t look up receipts using your credit card info, so keep your receipt or order confirmation. (See Petco’s return policy to avoid surprises.)

When this card makes sense

This card can be a good fit if you’re already spending $50+ monthly at Petco and you pay your bill in full. Compared to Petco’s free rewards program, the credit card offers better point expiration and that strong return rate at Petco.

Skip it if you

• Rarely shop at Petco
• Tend to carry credit card balances
• Want to keep your wallet simple

Better alternatives for pet spending

If you want fewer rules and more flexibility, consider a general cash-back card that earns 2% on everything, or a card with rotating categories that sometimes include pet stores.

Bottom line

The Petco credit card can be worth it for frequent shoppers who pay in full every month. The rewards rate at Petco is genuinely competitive, and the $0 annual fee means it won’t cost you anything to keep.

If you do apply, the Mastercard version is usually the smarter choice for flexibility. Either way, setting up automatic payments can help you avoid expensive interest.