5 best veterinary practice loans for 2026

If you’re opening, buying or expanding a veterinary practice, a small business loan could help cover costs such as equipment, renovations, working capital or a new location. Some lenders offer financing specifically for veterinary practices, while others provide small business loans that can be used for practice expenses.

Below, CNBC Select rounded up lenders with financing options for veterinary practices. Read on to compare your choices and find a loan that fits your needs. See our methodology for more information.

Who’s this for? For veterinary professionals who need substantial funding to start a practice, acquire an existing clinic, expand their operations or purchase equipment, the SBA 7(a) loan program offers loans of up to $5 million to eligible small businesses. The SBA doesn’t lend directly to borrowers; instead, it guarantees a portion of loans issued by participating lenders.

Standout benefits: Because the SBA guarantees a portion of eligible loans, participating lenders take on less risk than they would with an otherwise comparable, non-guaranteed loan. This can help eligible borrowers access financing they might not qualify for otherwise, subject to the lender’s requirements and the SBA’s eligibility criteria.

Who’s this for? For veterinary practice owners with less-than-perfect credit who need funding for business expenses or growth, Fora Financial lists a minimum personal FICO® Score of 570, giving some borrowers with lower credit scores a chance to qualify. Businesses must also have been operating for at least six months and generate at least $240,000 in annual revenue. Meeting these minimums doesn’t guarantee approval.

Standout benefits: Fora Financial offers a quick application process, with approval decisions available in as little as four hours after the required documentation is submitted. If you accept an offer, funding may be available within 24 hours. However, review the repayment schedule and total borrowing cost carefully, as some products require daily or weekly payments and have relatively short repayment terms.

Who’s this for? For veterinary practice owners who want flexible access to working capital for ongoing expenses, unexpected costs or growth opportunities, Bluevine offers a revolving business line of credit of up to $250,000. Unlike a traditional term loan, which provides a lump sum upfront, a line of credit lets you draw funds as needed, up to your approved limit. As you repay what you borrow, your available credit replenishes. All draw requests are subject to review and approval. Note that Bluevine’s line of credit requires an eligible business structure, so it may be a better fit for established veterinary practices rather than brand-new startups.

Standout benefits: Bluevine offers fast access to funds. Approved draws can be deposited instantly into a Bluevine Business Checking account, while transfers to other accounts may take up to 24 hours or longer, depending on the transfer method and processing time.

Who’s this for? For veterinary practice owners who may not meet traditional lenders’ credit requirements, Greenbox Capital evaluates several aspects of a business’ financial health, including revenue, cash flow, vendor payment history, years in business and public records. Credit score is also a factor, but it isn’t the sole basis for approval. Eligibility requirements vary by financing type.

Standout benefits: Greenbox Capital offers several small business financing options, with funding of up to $500,000. Funds can be used for eligible business needs, such as covering operating expenses, purchasing equipment or supporting expansion. Depending on the financing product and your qualifications, funding may be available in as little as one business day.

Who’s this for? For veterinary professionals looking to start or acquire a practice, expand an existing clinic or purchase equipment without necessarily making a down payment, U.S. Bank offers up to 100% financing for eligible practice acquisitions, startups, expansions and equipment purchases. Loan amounts and terms depend on the borrower’s qualifications, financing needs and loan type.

Standout benefits: U.S. Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender, offering eligible borrowers access to SBA-backed financing options that may feature lower down payments and longer repayment terms than some conventional loans. SBA loans are subject to separate eligibility requirements, credit approval and program guidelines.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every small business loans list is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of business loan products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

To determine the best veterinary practice loans, CNBC Select analyzed loans offered by both U.S. brick-and-mortar and online lenders.

Each lender was rated on a range of features, including:

• Minimum and maximum loan amounts
• Term lengths
• Credit score needed
• Approval requirements
• Application process
• Funding disbursement
• Better Business Bureau rating

We also considered CNBC Select audience data whenavailable, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.

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