These 3 Credit Cards Could Be a Pet Owner's Best Friend

I've got a reputation as a cat lady, and I don't mind that one bit. I work hard every day to give my three cats a better life. I even just bought a house, in part to benefit them and their happiness. I'm not alone in my devotion to my pets, and with good reason -- having pets can be great for us humans. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the benefits of pet ownership include stress relief, getting to maintain a routine, and having more opportunities to get regular exercise.

All these perks (not to mention the joy of teaching a cat to "speak" for treats) sure aren't free, though. My cats' needs are a significant part of my budget, as I'm responsible for feeding them, keeping them entertained, and ensuring their health needs are met. So I'm always looking for ways to defray my costs -- luckily, I've got a few credit cards that help. Here are three card options to lean on for pet care expenses.

1. The best card for Amazon buys

A lot has changed since Amazon's initial days as an online bookstore. Now you can buy just about anything there. If you spend a lot, this first credit card will absolutely be an asset. You have to be a Prime member (which costs $139 a year) to get the Prime Visa. But otherwise, this card has no annual fee and pays 5% cash back on Amazon purchases. Plus, unlike a lot of cash back credit cards, your rewards are available to use the next day -- there's no waiting until the statement period ends to cash in.

I buy the occasional bag of cat food from Amazon, along with a regular supply of engaging wand toys needed to keep my youngest cat from destroying my home with his chaos energy. Getting 5% back on those buys just sweetens the deal.

2. A solid flat-rate card to fill in the gaps -- and perhaps cover vet bills

A good flat-rate credit card is a solid option for just about anybody. It works whether you want to keep a one-card wallet or have the option to earn a little more back on purchases that don't conform to a common bonus category. My own favorite flat-rate rewards card that also comes with a few bonus categories is the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. It earns at least 1.5% back on all spending (with higher rates on dining, travel, and at drugstores). This card could be a good way to cover your pet's vet bills and earn rewards in the process. While it's always advisable to pay down your credit card balance each month, the card's solid intro APR offer can help if you have any unexpected vet costs that you can't pay directly.

I've also got the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. This means I can transfer earnings from the Chase Freedom Unlimited® in the form of Ultimate Rewards points and use those points to book travel. My cats would probably prefer it if I never took a vacation, but sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder. Luckily I've got a great pet sitter to take care of them when I'm away.

3. A lifestyle card with pet supplies as a bonus category

This next card is a brand-new addition to my wallet. When my colleague Brittney Myers wrote about the Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card recently, I knew I had to have it. This "lifestyle" credit card offers cardholders the chance to earn 4% cash rewards in a broader range of bonus categories than you'll find with most other cards.

One of the 4% bonus categories is Pet Care. Wells Fargo notes that the qualifying merchant categories include Pet Shops, Pet Foods, and Supplies Stores, along with Other Miscellaneous Services. On the day I got this card, I used it in Petsmart to buy food for my senior cat as well as a few bags of cat litter. I'll be getting 4% back on the $66 I spent. That may only be $2.64, but every little bit helps. Especially as I plan to redeem my cash rewards as statement credits to lower the cost of future credit card bills.

I love my cats, but caring for them sure can get expensive. Thankfully, rewards credit cards can help. Consider the above options if you're looking for a way to earn cash back or other rewards on your pet spending.