At Healthy Pets of Ohio, we know that pet care is a family affair. Sometimes a spouse handles the vet visits, a college-aged child transports the family dog, or a neighbor brings in your cat when you’re unavailable. But when it comes to paying for veterinary services with CareCredit, there’s an important detail many pet owners don’t realize: only the CareCredit account holder or an authorized user can use the card to pay.
Why CareCredit Has This Rule
CareCredit is a healthcare financing credit card, and like any credit card, it has rules to protect the cardholder. The name on the card must match the person presenting it. That means if your grandmother’s dog needs care and you bring her CareCredit card to pay, the payment likely won’t be accepted. This policy helps:
- Protect against unauthorized use – ensuring no one makes charges without the account holder’s knowledge.
- Maintain compliance – CareCredit follows strict identity and financing laws.
- Prevent delays or disputes – clinics must verify payment sources to keep care running smoothly.
How This Impacts Pet Owners
In many families, someone other than the primary caregiver may need to take a pet to the vet. Without preparation, this rule can cause last-minute stress at checkout. Imagine this: your dog swallows a sock while you’re at work, and your teenager rushes him to our office. The plan was to use your CareCredit card on file—but if your teen isn’t listed on the account, they can’t pay with it.
The good news? There are simple solutions to make sure anyone you trust can pay for your pet’s care if needed.
Options to Allow Others to Use Your CareCredit
- Add an Authorized User
CareCredit allows the primary cardholder to add trusted family members or friends as authorized users. They receive their own card linked to your account.- How to do it: Call CareCredit customer service or log in to your online account.
- Who should you add? Spouses, adult children, caregivers, or anyone you’d trust to make payments on your behalf.
- Why it helps: They can present their own card at check-in with no delays.
- Online or Phone Payments
Some clinics (including Healthy Pets) may allow the account holder to pay over the phone or online, even if someone else brings the pet. This requires advance notice and the cardholder to be available at the time of payment.- Tip: Call ahead to confirm availability for remote payments.
- Plan Ahead for Emergencies
If you know a neighbor, sitter, or family member might bring in your pet, prepare in advance:- Discuss your payment preferences with our team.
- Add an authorized user if there’s any chance they’ll need to pay.
- Have a backup payment method on file.
- Explore Other Payment Options
CareCredit is a great tool, but there are alternatives if you can’t be present:- Debit/credit cards or checks.
- Pre-payment if a visit is planned.
- Third-party financing if you need flexible options.
Our Advice: Plan Before You Need It
Emergencies are stressful enough—don’t let payment policies add to the challenge. Adding an authorized user or setting up an alternate payment method now means your pet gets prompt care, no matter who brings them in.
At Healthy Pets of Ohio, our goal is to make veterinary care as smooth as possible for you and your furry family. If you have questions about using CareCredit or want help planning payment options, contact your nearest Healthy Pets location today. Our team can walk you through adding authorized users, online payment options, and what to expect when someone else brings in your pet.