We collectively spent over $103 billion on our pets in 2020, and it looks like that number will be even higher this year. Unfortunately, being a good pet parent isn’t cheap — hence why we looked for the best pet loans for bad credit borrowers to help you out.
And if you have good credit, all the better, these options apply to you as well!
Below, you’ll find the top options ranked on how accessible they are and the loan terms.
So, let’s get cracking!
Best Pet Financing Companies
We may earn a commission on sales made from partner links on this page. This doesn’t affect our research and evaluation process. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure. 1. OneMain Financial
Best Overall
- Many loan term options
- No minimum credit score
- Provides secured loans
- No prepayment fee
2. Avant
Best for Fast Pet Financing with Bad Credit
- Low credit score requirement
- Pre-qualify with a soft credit pull
- Offers secured loans
- Loan funding as soon as the next business day
3. Upgrade
Best for Low APR Pet Care Financing
- Offers co-signed and joint loans
- Low minimum loan amount
- Hardship program
- Autopay rate discounts
4. Zoca Loans
Best for Emergency Pet Surgery Loans
- Fast funding
- Easy approval
- Complimentary one-time payment extension
- Low minimum loan amount
5. LendingClub
Best for Borrowers Who Need Credit Guidance
- Credit and debt education
- Competitive APR
- Exceptional debt consolidation tools
- Can change the loan payment date
6. LendingUSA
Best Introductory APR
- Introductory 0% APR
- No prepayment penalties
- Fast approval
- Pet-specific loan products
7. Upstart
Fastest Funding Time
- Fastest funding time
- Automated borrowing process
- You can choose a custom payment date
- Perfect for young pet parents who need quick access to funds
Top 7 Pet Loans for Bad Credit Reviews
1. OneMain Financial
Best Overall
- Estimated APR: 18%–35.99%
- Estimated minimum credit score: No minimum score
- Loan amount: $1,500–$20,000
- Term: 24–60 months
Overview — Whether you need pet purchase financing or you have to finance an emergency veterinary procedure, OneMain Financial’s loans fit the bill.
Better yet, the loans are easy to qualify for (if you don’t mind the slightly higher interest rate).
Features — OneMain’s defining element in our eyes is that it doesn’t have a minimum credit score requirement. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to qualify, though you’re welcome to apply no matter how your credit is doing.
In contrast, most reliable lenders have a strict credit score floor that excludes those under it.
What’s more, it even offers secured loans, so you’ll find a financing solution even if your credit score is well below average.
The minimum loan amount of $1,500 is fair; we found that most pet expenses fall in the $1,000 to $2,000 range making it a nice middle ground.
Lastly, it’s one of the most flexible pet care loans when it comes to term length — choose between 60, 36, 48, or 24 months to repay your loan.
Plus, it doesn’t have a prepayment penalty. Meaning, you can repay your loan as soon as you’re able without additional costs.
Bottom Line — OneMain Financial has the accessibility and flexibility everyone should strive for.
The only “flaw” we could find is the relatively high minimum APR of 18%; we recommend having a plan to repay the loan for your Bengal or German Shepherd ahead of schedule.
Pros
- + Many loan term options
- + No minimum credit score
- + Provides secured loans
- + No prepayment fee
Cons
- − Relatively high APR
2. Avant
Best for Fast Pet Financing with Bad Credit
- Estimated APR: 9.95%–35.99%
- Estimated minimum credit score: 550
- Loan amount: $2,000–$35,000
- Term: 24–60 months
Overview — Avant is an online lender that primarily caters to borrowers with fair to bad credit. In fact, the company doesn’t reveal too much about its borrower requirements but claims not to accept borrowers under a 550 credit score.
However, we really liked that Avant has a speedy approval process, making it ideal for immediate pet emergencies.
Features — If you need pet surgery financing or have some other emergency with your furry friend, Avant is ideal for you as you can receive instant approval.
Better yet, if you’re approved by noon, Avant says it will deposit the funds to your bank account as soon as the next business day. You can also pre-qualify for a loan from Avant with a soft credit pull so you’ll know the terms before you commit.
Another thing we liked was how flexible Avant is about its loans. For example, you can refinance loans originated from Avant, change the payment date at any time, and it has a wide range of loan terms.
Bottom Line — Because of its flexible loan terms, fast approval process, and full transparency, Avant is excellent resource when you wish to purchase another pet or invest in a new kennel.
It also gets a lot of points for having an overall excellent customer experience that includes a top-notch mobile app where you can manage all your payments and due dates.
We noted only two minor flaws: a loan origination fee of up to 4.75% and a relatively high minimum loan amount of $2,000.
Pros
- + Low credit score requirement
- + Pre-qualify with a soft credit pull
- + Offers secured loans
- + Loan funding as soon as the next business day
Cons
- − Charges origination fee
3. Upgrade
Best for Low APR Pet Care Financing
- Estimated APR: 5.94%–35.97%
- Estimated minimum credit score: 580
- Loan amount: $1,000–$35,000
- Term: 36–60 months
Overview — At first glance, Upgrade seems pretty similar to most other loan providers for pet parents. However, if you dig a bit deeper, you’ll see that Upgrade offers a lot of ways to make your interest rates more manageable.
It ends up being the best choice if you plan on taking out a loan that you’ll pay off over a long period.
Features — The biggest thing to love about Upgrade, besides the interest rate deductions, is how comparably easy it is to qualify for its loans.
Upgrade’s trick to make pet financing so accessible is heavily emphasizing cash flow over debt-to-income and credit scores.
In plain English, that means Upgrade cares more about how much money you’re making each month rather than looking at your credit score. Hence, if you have a well-paying job and a subpar credit score, Upgrade is one of the best places to look for an affordable loan.
Another helpful feature of Upgrade is that it accepts co-signed loans. A co-signer can basically “lend” you their credit score, allowing for easier loan approval.
Bottom Line — Upgrade is a great pet lender for a lot of reasons. For one, it’s a reputable lender with an unconventional approval method that favors cash flow over past credit history.
Yet, what we liked the most about this provider is that, with a co-signer, you can probably qualify for a lower rate; the company even offers a hardship program for reduced payments if you experience a sudden misfortune. As the coronavirus pandemic is still raging, this is quite a recommendable feature.
Pros
- + Offers co-signed and joint loans
- + Low minimum loan amount
- + Hardship program
- + Autopay rate discounts
Cons
- − Charges origination fee
4. Zoca Loans
Best for Emergency Pet Surgery Loans
- Estimated APR: Undisclosed
- Estimated minimum credit score: No minimum credit score
- Loan amount: $200–$1,500
- Term: Undisclosed
Overview — Zoca Loans is part of a tribal lending agency specializing in providing super-fast loans that are easy to qualify for, albeit with higher interest rates and late fees.
It’s a great option if you need to finance your pet’s emergency needs ASAP.
Features — The feature that makes Zoca stand out the most is fast funding. For a $30 fee, Zoca can fund your loan as early as the same day you apply in some cases.
It also has a fairly low minimum loan amount of $200 — hence why it’s an option best reserved for emergency loans for pet surgery or other crisis situations with your furry companion.
In exchange for the convenience and speed, you’ll probably end up with a hefty interest rate. As a tribal lender, Zoca Loans isn’t subject to the same loan caps that most other lenders are. An example loan on the lender’s website shows an APR of over 700%.
But don’t let that scare you too much since the loans don’t have prepayment penalties. Meaning, as long as you can pay it back promptly, you can avoid the onerous APR.
Bottom Line — Zoca Loans is a reliable online lender for small and sudden pet financing for bad credit. If you take a disciplined approach to your borrowing and pay off the loan fast, it can be a safe and convenient source of financing.
Pros
- + Fast funding
- + Easy approval
- + Complimentary one-time payment extension
- + Low minimum loan amount
Cons
- − Not available in all states
5. LendingClub
Best for Borrowers Who Need Credit Guidance
- Estimated APR: 8.05%–35.89%
- Estimated minimum credit score: 660
- Loan amount: $1,000–$40,000
- Term: 36–60 months
Overview — LendingClub is a somewhat unique lending platform that allows you to apply for loans, after which investors can search for and fund loans they like. That said, it’s starting to focus more on traditional direct-to-consumer loans and can be an excellent choice to apply for a pet loan.
Features — One of the most impressive features about LendingClub is its effort to educate and guide borrowers about their credit.
Moreover, it has a Member Center where you can manage your loans, see important financial information about your debt, and track your credit score.
Though, what we liked the most about LendingClub is that it will help you keep all credit affairs in order, even if you’re not the most financially savvy person. If you’ve already got some loans or credit card debt and want to tack on some pet care loans, LendingClub can simplify the consolidation process and send funds to up to 12 creditors.
Also, despite quoting a 660 credit score minimum, LendingClub advertises the possibility of “custom loans” for borrowers with lower credit, which can really come in handy.
Bottom Line — All things considered, LendingClub is a reliable lender that can provide competitive interest rates and various loan types for pet care financing.
Pros
- + Credit and debt education
- + Competitive APR
- + Exceptional debt consolidation tools
- + Can change the loan payment date
Cons
- − Origination fee in many cases
- − Inflexible term lengths
6. LendingUSA
Best Introductory APR
- Estimated APR: 0%–29.99%
- Estimated minimum credit score: 620
- Loan amount: $1,000–$12,000
- Term: Varies
Overview — LendingUSA is one of the few lenders that created a line of loans specifically for pet owners.
We’re happy to report it’s not just a gimmick; you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its pet loans’ affordability and flexibility.
Features — The most salient feature of LendingUSA’s pet loans is an introductory 0% APR. It’s an unusual feature for any personal loan and single-handedly lets LendingUSA compete with even some of the best pet financing companies.
In short, the intro APR means you won’t pay interest within the first six months after loan disbursement. Therefore, if you pay off the principal part within six months, you can borrow money with no interest at all.
It also charges no prepayment penalties and advertises no interest rate penalties.
Unfortunately, LendingUSA doesn’t pre-approve loans without a hard credit pull. Meaning, if you commit to a LendingUSA loan for your furry best friend, you should be reasonably confident that you’ll be approved.
Bottom Line — LendingUSA is easily one of the best places to get a loan for your pet; it even offers pet financing for breeders at reasonable rates.
We only recommend that you be aware of your approval odds before you apply. Other than that, try to pay off your loan within the introductory APR period (if you can) to avoid paying any interest.
Pros
- + Introductory 0% APR
- + No prepayment penalties
- + Fast approval
- + Pet-specific loan products
Cons
- − Hard credit pull
7. Upstart
Fastest Funding Time
- Estimated APR: 3.22%–35.99%
- Estimated minimum credit score: 600
- Loan amount: $1,000–$50,000
- Term: 3–5 years
Overview — Upstart is a lending platform that offers something new to the table: an automated borrowing process based on artificial intelligence.
Unlike traditional banks, Upstart’s AI software uses non-conventional means to provide loans, such as job history, college education, or place of residence, making it vastly superior to most options out there.
Features — When it comes to pet care loans, Upstart is ideal if you’re looking to skip endless paperwork that comes with such loans and waiting for approval. Namely, with Upstart you get your money ASAP.
Just like Zoca, Upstart offers fast funding; for example, you can get approval for your loan within one business day. Just make sure to accept your loan before 5 PM.
We really liked Upstart’s sophisticated AI software. In short, this software defies the traditional FICO approach. In other words, it can identify and measure credit risks with great accuracy, as well as automate the entire processes of issuing and managing loans.
Moreover, Upstart offers flexible payments, making it perfect for newcomers and pet parents with low credit scores. For instance, you can change your monthly payment date whenever you want! There are no limits.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that if you do change your payment date after the 15-day grace period, you still won’t be able to change the original due date, and you’ll have to pay late fees, which is industry standard.
Bottom Line — When it comes to pet care financing, Upstart does an exceptional job. It’s great for pet owners with low credit scores who need fast access to funds. Best of all, the minimum and maximum loan amounts (from $1,000 to $50,000) are pretty decent, and it gives you the freedom to choose a custom payment date.
Pros
- + Fastest funding time
- + Automated borrowing process
- + You can choose a custom payment date
- + Perfect for young pet parents who need quick access to funds
Cons
- − Relatively high fees
How to Compare Different Pet Loans & Choose the Best One
Getting a loan to buy a pet or finance your pet’s needs is, in most ways, identical to taking out any other personal loan.
The only crucial difference is the purpose of the loan. Still, you shouldn’t discount how significant this difference can be, at least to some lenders.
In this guide, we’ll give you some essential tips to assess your needs and how to tell lenders what they want to hear.
Set Realistic Financial Needs
Figuring out just how much money and why you need it is half the battle.
What’s the Purpose of Your Loan
What you need money for can impact your chances of getting a loan. For instance, loans for pet surgery are probably more likely to receive financing at some lenders than a loan to purchase pet toys.
Remember that if you’re hoping to work with serious lenders, there’s a good chance the purpose of the loan will come into play.
Note that even though it’s a personal (pet) loan, it’s always a good idea to think about ways to justify the loan to a lender. The mere “I love pugs” may not suffice but you will have to think of ways to justify yourself better.
How Much Do You Need to Borrow
Many factors can impact the amount of money you’ll need for your precious pet. For instance, puppy financing in California has a drastically different cost than, say, Ohio. Taking your dog on a flight with you can set you back between $800 and $7,000.
While some factors are pretty obvious, you should also think about the additional expenses of owning a pet.
Such as:
- Pet food can cost over $700 per year, depending on the animal size.
- Vet bills can add up pretty quickly, especially if the animal breed is notorious for special needs.
- Grooming needs vary based on your pet but can go up to hundreds of dollars per year (the Tibetan Mastiff owners know this only too well).
If you’re getting a loan to finance a medical procedure such as horse colic surgery, consider further expenses it will produce. Costs such as post-op medications and supplements should go into the loan as well.
Get a Clear Financial Picture
Once you get a complete idea of how much money you need, there’s one more thing you should do before jumping into pet loans reviews and looking for the right lender.
Namely, take a good look at your financial status.
Credit Score
Start with your credit score. You can get a free credit report from each major credit bureaus once every 12 months by law.
If your credit score is too low to qualify for most loans, our suggestions have options like Zoca Loans that don’t heavily weigh credit scores.
You can also try to take a more long-term approach and slowly repair your credit to qualify for better loans.
Debt-to-Income Ratio
Another vital element some lenders will look at is how well you can handle your debts. In short, your debt-to-income ratio compares how much debt you pay every month with your monthly income.
Lenders like to see a DTI ratio of about 28% or lower. In other words, debt payments shouldn’t be eating up more than 28% of your monthly income.
Recurring Monthly Expenses
Finally, in some cases, how much you spend on things like utilities, insurance, etc., might come into play when you’re seeking a pet loan.
Less isn’t necessarily better, as long as your income can support the expenses.
Pet stores that offer financing such as Pet Pro Supply Co. will probably ask about your net monthly income as part of the loan approval process if you choose to go that route, or direct you to a lender of their choice.
Compare Pet Loan Lenders
Below are the primary considerations we suggest you look at. Of course, you should also consider other factors based on your situation.
Annual Percentage Rate
A loan’s annual percentage rate is the interest cost of the loan over a year. So, an APR of 10% means a $1,000 loan will cost you $100 in interest if you pay it off in a year.
Note, pet loans for bad credit can have an extremely high APR, so always look for ones you can pay off quickly.
So, the APR is less relevant if you can pay the loan off faster than the loan’s term, provided there’s no early repayment penalty.
Lender Reputation
You’ve already got a head start on this one by reading our recommendations.
Either way, once you decide on a lender, you can take it a step further and look at their BBB rating.
A lender with dodgy practices quickly comes under scrutiny. As a result, it won’t be difficult to find any red flags.
Customer Service
If you’re applying online, reach out to customer support; you’ll get a pretty good idea of how willing they are to help out.
Pet Loans for Bad Credit From Specialized Lenders
There are a few lenders out there who have tailor-made financial products for pet purchase and care financing.
One of those, LendingUSA, is on this list and has excellent loan options we can recommend.
There are also others out there that have slightly unusual approaches to lending. An example is Wags pet financing, which uses a leasing model. In essence, the company owns the pet until you’re finished paying off the lease, which has led to some confusing situations in the past.
Our advice is always to read the fine print, and if something seems out of place, don’t sign anything until it’s crystal clear to you.
Final Recommendations
Our comprehensive list has a whole heaping pile of loan info to soak up — hence why we’re going to give you a few key takeaways to make it easier to digest.
Pet loans for poor credit can be found with OneMain Financial, which is an outstanding personal loan for any purpose. If you want to compare a lot of lenders at once, choose Supermoney; our favorite lender marketplace. And, if you need quick approval, go for our third top choice — Avant. Or perhaps other lenders from our list have some unique benefits for you that will close the deal.
Now that you have the tools you need to finance your every pet need, let us know how it worked out!
FAQs
Can I get a loan for a pet?
Financing a pet purchase is not much different than making any other purchase, and you can use a personal loan to pay for just about anything.
If you qualify for a loan from a company that offers use-specific financing for pet purchases and pet expenses, you can often get some minor but worthwhile perks. Otherwise, just about any personal loan will do the trick.
What credit score do you need for Petland?
You can apply with a fair credit score, so somewhere in the 580–670 range. We’d recommend applying only if you’re toward the higher end of that range, though, or try for a pet credit card for bad credit.
Part of the approval process will involve a hard credit pull, so you should be relatively confident of your approval odds before you apply. Alternatively, you can choose other credit cards for fair credit that might have better perks for you.
Can you get a dog on credit?
You can buy a dog on credit, insofar as you can make just about any purchase on credit.
Financing a dog purchase can be pretty simple, and there are even pet stores that can facilitate a loan for the dog you want. You can also choose one of the loan providers.
Do Vets for Pets offer payment plans?
Yes, you can apply for an interest-free payment plan. However, the company won’t service your payment plan directly. Instead, it works with financing partners based on your location.
There are also minimum and maximum financing limits that can’t be used to finance ongoing or chronic conditions.
How does financing a dog at Petland work?
Petland locations offer various forms of financing for dogs and other animals. And you also have the option of applying for a Petland credit card.
Since Petland franchises are owner-managed, each store has access to and works with various financing providers — in other words, places with pet loans for bad credit.
For the most accurate information, we recommend calling your nearest Petland location to discuss your options.
