FurVerdict
Breed guide · financial context only

Shih Tzu pet insurance

Why insurance matters here

Shih Tzus stack airway, spinal, and ocular exposure on a long lifespan. The bills arrive from several directions. Brachycephalic airway correction runs $500 to $1,500 for soft palate surgery, IVDD reaches $1,500 to $4,000 for surgery, and corneal ulcer care adds $520 to $1,306. With IVDD alone in play, the strongest coverage is in place before any of these enter the record.

Typical monthly premium

$45 – $70/mo

Shih Tzu modeled monthly premium, accident-and-illness. Modeled for budgeting, not a live insurer quote.

Cost outlook for the breed

Conditions, exclusions & premiums

Common condition cost ranges

Estimated out-of-pocket cost ranges for budgeting context only, not medical guidance.

Brachycephalic airway conditions$500 to $1,500 for soft palate surgery [Embrace]
Intervertebral disc disease$1,500 to $4,000 for surgery [Embrace]
Corneal ulcers$520 to $1,306 [CareCredit]
Dental disease$500 to $2,500 for extractions [MetLife Pet]

Policy exclusions to watch

  • Pre-existing conditions, including airway issues common to the breed
  • Some plans surcharge or exclude brachycephalic-related conditions
  • Dental coverage often requires an add-on rather than the base plan
Cost and premium sources
  1. Embrace: Brachycephalic Syndrome (2026-09-23) Condition cost figure shown next to the condition on this page.
  2. Embrace: Intervertebral Disc Disease (2026-09-23) Condition cost figure shown next to the condition on this page.
  3. CareCredit: Corneal Ulcer in Dogs (2026-09-23) Condition cost figure shown next to the condition on this page.
  4. MetLife Pet: Periodontal Disease in Dogs (2026-09-23) Condition cost figure shown next to the condition on this page.
  5. NAPHIA 2025 State of the Industry Report Highlights (modeled-premium baseline) (2026-09-23) Section 4 US accident-and-illness averages ($749.29 dog, $386.47 cat, 2024) behind the modeled per-state figures.
Cost and premium data last reviewed . How we model these figures.

Insurers that write coverage relevant to Shih Tzu

These insurers offer plans whose terms are relevant to the conditions Shih Tzu owners ask about most.