Do you spend a small fortune on dog food, vet visits, and that fancy cat tree your kitty ignores? If so, you have probably seen the Petco credit card offered at checkout. The Petco credit card promises rewards on pet purchases, but the fine print includes one of the highest interest rates on the market.
This review breaks down how the Petco credit card works, what it costs, and who it actually fits. Then we will look at a few lower-cost cards that can help you build credit without the steep APR.
What Is the Petco Credit Card?
The Petco credit card is issued by Comenity Capital Bank (Bread Financial) and comes in two versions. The Petco Pay credit card is a store-only card you can use at Petco. The Petco Pay Mastercard works anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Both versions tie into the Petco Vital Care rewards program, so you earn points on pet supplies, grooming, and other Petco purchases. The Mastercard version adds 2% cash back at grocery stores and 1% back everywhere else, as of June 2026.
Store cards like this one are often easier to qualify for than a traditional rewards card. That makes them tempting if your credit is still growing. But easier approval usually comes with a tradeoff, and here that tradeoff is the interest rate.
Petco Credit Card Fees and APR
As of June 2026, the Petco Pay credit card carries a purchase APR of 35.99%. The Petco Pay Mastercard charges either 28.99% or 34.99%, based on your creditworthiness when you open the account. Either way, that is well above the average credit card interest rate.
There is no annual fee on either card, which is a genuine plus. The cash advance fee is $10 or 5% of the advance, whichever is greater. Expedited phone payments can cost up to $15. Check Petco's website for current terms, since fees can change.
A rate near 36% means carrying a balance gets expensive fast. If you cannot pay the full statement balance each month, the rewards you earn can be wiped out by interest several times over. APRs vary by creditworthiness, and terms and conditions apply.
Who Should Consider the Petco Credit Card?
The Petco credit card makes the most sense for devoted Petco shoppers who pay in full every month. If you treat it like a debit card and never carry a balance, the rewards and member perks can add real value.
It makes far less sense if you tend to revolve a balance or if your main goal is building credit. The sky-high APR turns any unpaid balance into a costly problem. For credit building, a card with a lower rate and broader use is usually the smarter starting point.
If you are working on your score, it helps to understand how secured credit cards work before you apply for a retail card. The cards below are designed specifically to help people build or rebuild credit at a much lower cost.
One strong starting option is the Self Visa® Credit Card, which pairs a credit-builder account with a secured card. You can learn more through Self Visa® Credit Card.
Another option that skips the deposit hassle is the Current Build Card. It is designed to report your everyday spending toward credit building, and it pairs with a Current account so you can manage everything in one app.
Current Build Card
Current Build Card
$0 annual fee. No minimum deposit required. No credit check required. 1 point per dollar on eligible categories. Reports to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax.
Fee
$0
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
1 point/dollar on eligible categories (with qualifying payroll deposit)
Benefit
No credit check, no deposit minimum
If you want a simple, low-cost secured option, the Kikoff Secured Credit Card is built for beginners. It focuses on reporting on-time activity to the credit bureaus, which can help you establish a positive history over time.
Kikoff Secured Credit Card
Kikoff Secured Credit Card
Kikoff Secured Credit Card works like a debit card & checking account and performs like a credit builder. Build credit with your everyday purchases.
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
Yes
Benefit
0% interest. No credit check.
How These Compare to the Petco Credit Card
The Petco credit card shines in one narrow lane: rewards for committed Petco shoppers who never carry a balance. Outside that lane, its 35.99% APR makes it a risky place to keep debt.
The credit-builder cards above take a different approach. Instead of dangling rewards, they focus on reporting your payments to the credit bureaus at a lower cost. For someone rebuilding credit, that steady reporting can matter more than cash back. You can also track your progress with tools like Creditship.ai, which help you monitor your score as it grows.
If you have been turned down before, it may help to read about applying for a credit card after being denied so you can improve your odds next time.
Tips for Building Credit With Any Card
No card builds credit on its own. Your habits do the heavy lifting. Pay on time every month, since payment history is the single biggest factor in your score.
Keep your balance low relative to your limit, ideally under 30%. Try to pay the full statement balance so you avoid interest entirely. Timing helps too, so it is worth knowing the best time to pay your credit card bill.
Used this way, even a starter card can move your score in the right direction. A tool like Firstcard can help you stay focused on credit building rather than chasing rewards you may not need.
Is the Petco Credit Card Worth It?
If you are a loyal Petco shopper who pays in full every month, the Petco credit card can deliver useful rewards with no annual fee. The 2% grocery cash back on the Mastercard version is a nice bonus.
But if you carry a balance or your main goal is building credit, that 35.99% APR is hard to justify. A dedicated credit-builder card will usually cost you less and serve your long-term goals better. Compare your options carefully before you sign up at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do you need for the Petco credit card?
The Petco credit card is a store card that typically accepts applicants with fair credit. There is no published minimum score, and approval depends on your full credit profile. People still building credit may qualify, though approval is never guaranteed.
Does the Petco credit card have an annual fee?
No. As of June 2026, neither the Petco Pay credit card nor the Petco Pay Mastercard charges an annual fee. The bigger cost to watch is the high purchase APR if you carry a balance.
Can the Petco credit card help me build credit?
It can, because Comenity reports your activity to the credit bureaus. However, its very high APR makes it a costly choice for carrying a balance. A dedicated credit-builder card is often a lower-cost way to build credit.
What are the best alternatives to the Petco credit card?
Lower-cost credit-building options include the Self Visa Credit Card, the Current Build Card, and the Kikoff Secured Credit Card. These focus on reporting your payments at a lower cost than a high-APR retail card. Terms and conditions apply.
