Furry (scaley or feathered) family members add joy to a household. However, sometimes, they can be a considerable added expense. Animals require a great deal of care, including veterinary visits, food, toys, and sometimes training. Using a cash back credit card in Canada can help to alleviate those costs and get Canadians money back on their pet-related purchases.

Understanding pet-related expenses  

Pets can be an expensive undertaking, especially if the precious pet has chronic health issues. Pet owners often focus on the adorableness of their new family members but might forget about their associated expenses that can quickly add up.

Depending on the type of pet that is brought home, common costs might include:

• Veterinary care (including basic first-year visits, for things such as shots, spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and check-ups)
• Food and treats
• Supplies such as collars, leashes, litter boxes, kitty litter, food and water dishes, kennels, cages, aquariums, toys, and bedding
• Registering the animal, depending on the rules around where one lives, and the animal chosen (dogs usually must be registered within city limits)
• Having the animal looked after when the owner(s) are away

Some animals may require additional expenses, such as:

• Tattoos or microchips
• Professional grooming
• Training school, pet daycare, or walks
• Insurance

How cash back credit cards in Canada can help offset pet care costs

Cash back credit cards in Canada are relatively straightforward. When an eligible purchase is made using a cash back credit card, a percentage of the purchase is given back to the cardholder in the form of money. It is the cardholder’s decision how to use the earnings they are rewarded with.

Some people opt to put aside their cash back rewards towards their pets, saving money for a possible emergency, or paying off an expensive veterinary appointment. They might even have a special account where they save money for their pet purchases. 

How to choose a cash back card to help with pet expenses

When choosing which cash back credit card will work best, make sure to investigate all options available and compare things such as:

• Annual fees, and whether the annual fee is worth the percentage of cash back being offered. A card with an annual fee can offer more advantages, but this isn’t always the case.
• Whether pet-related purchases count towards eligible items, and what percentage of cash back is offered for such purchases.
• Cash back percentages, which vary from card to card.
• Interest rates, which also vary from card to card.

Maximizing cash back and rewards when purchasing pet-related products and services

As pet owners look for higher-quality food and focus on animal enrichment, the cost of feeding and caring for pets increases. Using a cash back credit card in Canada can earn consumers money back on those purchases. That money can then be used to cover other pet-related expenses, such as medical emergencies, last-minute vet appointments, vaccinations or surgery costs. That money could also be used to pay for a pet sitter or kennel if the owner goes away.

There are also numerous options for pet insurance across the country. Paying monthly for pet insurance with a cash back credit card could earn rewards, which would negate part of the cost of the pet insurance each month.

The sheer amount of love and joy that a furry friend can bring to a home is priceless, but there is a cost to the food, medical care and equipment your pet might require. It’s worth it to investigate a card that offers rewards for your animal-related purchases.