Shih Tzu parents from New Hampshire to Louisiana to North Dakota and beyond know that, as with most dog breeds, their little pals will inevitably face medical emergencies during their lives. Events like these require urgent veterinary care, which can be quite costly. Pet insurance helps to alleviate the financial stress of such circumstances so you can get your dog the best treatments out there. Through our comprehensive research, we have found the best pet insurance companies for Shih Tzus.
Table of Contents
5 Best Pet Insurance for Shih Tzus (2025 Reviews)
5 Top Pet Insurance Companies Compared for Shih Tzus
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1
Best overall
![Lemonade]()
4.9Our scoreAverage price for
Shih Tzus $17.25/moReimbursement amount 90%Annual benefit $20,000Lemonade features the overall best Shih Tzu pet insurance plan at the most competitive rates
Claims can be paid in under 60 seconds via their world-class app. I was blown away by how quickly they approved my claim and how much they paid
Lemonade is a certified B-corp that donates a significant portion of their unclaimed premiums to pet parents’ preferred non-profit organizations
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2
Best for wellness
![Wagmo]()
4.7Our scoreAverage price for
Shih Tzus $56.43/moReimbursement amount 90%Annual benefit $20,000They are one of the few companies that reimburse up to 100% of veterinary costs and provide quick reimbursements
Wagmo’s top-notch wellness plans extend coverage to include your pet’s routine and preventative care
Wagmo offers instant coverage for cats and dogs in all 50 states, regardless of their age, breed, or any health conditions (with some limitations)
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3
Best live vet support
![Figo]()
4.6Our scoreAverage price for
Shih Tzus $34.64/moReimbursement amount 90%Annual benefit $5,000Figo provides free 24/7 telehealth services to Shih Tzu owners with licensed veterinarians and other essential professionals on call
Their pet records app and real-time claims tracker are easy and intuitive to use
Figo covers most ‘curable’ pre-existing conditions as long as the pet has been symptom-free for 12 months since their last treatment
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4
Best for pre-existing conditions
![Pawp]()
4.5Our scoreAverage price for
Shih Tzus $24/moReimbursement amount 100%Annual benefit $3,000Pawp allows you to protect up to 6 pets under one membership regardless of age or pre-existing conditions
Pawp membership gives Shih Tzu pet parents access to an annual one-time use $3,000 Emergency Fund to cover unexpected accidents or illnesses
Pawp does not require copays, credit checks or deductibles
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5
Best established brand
![Embrace]()
4.3Our scoreAverage price for
Shih Tzus $40.32/moReimbursement amount 90%Annual benefit $5,000With Embrace’s “Healthy Pet Deductible,” your annual deductible drops by $50 every year you do not get reimbursed for a claim
Embrace has an easy-to-use claims portal and paid 92% of claims in 2021
Their Wellness Rewards is one of the most flexible preventative care plans available, offering a whole host of benefits, including training and grooming
Based on our personal experience and countless hours of research, we’ve found Lemonade Pet Insurance offers the ideal balance between coverage and unbeatable prices.
FAQs about Shih Tzus Pet Insurance
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1. How much does pet insurance cost for Shih Tzus?
Pet insurance for Shih Tzus costs anywhere from $17.25 to $62.58 per month. Providers determine rates by considering several factors, including your dog’s medical history, age, breed, and the average cost of veterinary services in your state.
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2. What does pet insurance typically cover for Shih Tzus?
Pet insurance coverage varies from one provider to another. However, a good rule of thumb is that accidents and illnesses considered sudden and catastrophic will be covered. Such covered treatments and procedures typically include emergency care, tests, exams, other diagnostic procedures, surgery and medication.
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3. Can I cancel my Shih Tzu’s insurance plan after I make a claim?
You can cancel your Shih Tzu’s dog insurance policy at any time. Be sure to verify with your provider the necessary steps to do so.
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4. Do pet insurance companies cover spaying and neutering?
Pet insurance providers do not cover spaying and neutering. That said, some, like Embrace , offer optional wellness packages that extend coverage to these operations in case your Shih Tzu needs one.
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5. Does the cost of insurance increase as my Shih Tzus ages?
You can expect your pet insurance rates to increase with your Shih Tzu’s age. Pet insurance companies raise rates to mitigate the heightened risk of your dog becoming ill or developing a chronic condition as they grow older.
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6. Which companies cover pre-existing conditions?
Pawp is the best for extending coverage to pre-existing conditions, especially in emergencies, but Embrace covers a limited number of pre-existing conditions as well. Before applying for insurance, it is worth reaching out to these providers to verify what their coverage includes and excludes. Please note that most providers do not cover pre-existing conditions under any circumstances. The good news is that if your Shih Tzu has a pre-existing condition, they will still be eligible for dog insurance.
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7. Is pet insurance worth it for Shih Tzus?
Pet insurance can be helpful for Shih Tzus because, like most dog breeds, they too experience medical emergencies during the course of their lives. In such instances, urgent veterinary care is necessary and costly. One example of a condition that Shih Tzus commonly suffer from is brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome in which dogs struggle to breathe properly due to narrow nasal airways and elongated, soft palates. Multiple surgeries are typical, and they can cost $2,500 or more. Another common Shih Tzu affliction is patellar luxation. This occurs when the kneecap (patella) slides out of place. It may happen consistently or just occasionally for some dogs, but either way, it can inhibit your Shih Tzus ability to walk and may lead to osteoarthritis. The only real remedy for patellar luxation is surgery, which can cost up to $7,000 for both kneecaps.
More Details About Pet Insurance for Shih Tzus
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1. Lemonade
(Best overall)
Why it’s great: Lemonade offers Shih Tzu parents several perks, such as a selection of optional wellness plans, affordable rates and extensive accident and illness coverage. Moreover, they’ve made the claim-filing process simple via their world-class mobile app, so you can get your claim reviewed as soon as possible. Another aspect of Lemonade’s coverage that Shih Tzu parents will appreciate is the brief 2-day accident waiting period, particularly as most companies require a minimum of 14 days. Discounts are available for those who combine their dog’s policy with renters’ or homeowners’ insurance from Lemonade.
Keep in mind: Veterinary documentation may be required to get an active policy for those who have older Shih Tzus or ones with pre-existing conditions.
Good for: Most Shih Tzus, especially those that are young and healthy.
Average price for Shih Tzus: $17.25/month
![Lemonade]()
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2. Wagmo
(Best for wellness)
Why it’s great: One of the most popular aspects of Wagmo’s coverage is their super-fast reimbursements, which they make via direct deposit, PayPal, and Venmo. They will also reimburse as much as 100% of veterinary fees once you meet your deductible in a given year. Shih Tzu owners are eligible for extra discounts should they insure multiple pets or renew their policy without having any reimbursements in the previous year. If that weren’t enough, dog owners have the freedom to take their best pals to any veterinarian of their choice.
Keep in mind: Lifetime benefits are capped at $100,000. Should your dog’s care reach this threshold, they will no longer be eligible for coverage.
Good for: Shih Tzu parents who prefer to have both wellness and emergency care covered.
Average price for Shih Tzus: $56.43/month
![Wagmo]()
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3. Figo
(Best live vet support)
Why it’s great: Figo includes free 24/7 veterinary support via their mobile app with all policies. Along with their standard plans, they have multiple wellness packages that Shih Tzu parents can choose from, including one that covers as much as $250 worth of prescription food should your vet deem it essential to your pet’s health and recovery. One of the best facets of their coverage is that all plans come with unlimited lifetime benefits, and there are no fee limits for particular ailments and conditions. Figo also averages a quick claims review process of fewer than 3 days so that dog parents can get their reimbursements as quickly as possible.
Keep in mind: Figo excludes pre-existing conditions from coverage.
Good for: Shih Tzu owners who would like to have free 24/7 veterinary support included with their dog insurance.
Average price for Shih Tzus: $34.64/month
![Figo]()
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4. Pawp
(Best for pre-existing conditions)
Why it’s great: The emergency fund will protect as many as 6 pets of any age, breed, or medical condition within a household for only $24/month. In addition, Shih Tzu parents will receive unlimited 24/7 telehealth services along with pet expert consultations. Furthermore, all dog owners are free to take their four-legged friends to any licensed veterinarian. Another benefit of Pawp’s coverage is that they do not require credit checks, copays, or deductibles. They will also pay your vet bills for approved emergencies before you even leave the vet’s clinic with your Shih Tzu, so you don’t have to deal with the claim-filing process.
Keep in mind: The emergency fund extends only to actual emergencies as qualified by Pawp’s virtual team of vets, and it will only cover a single vet bill that is less than $3,000 for one pet in a given year.
Good for: Older Shih Tzus or those with prior health conditions. Serves as a solid supplement to traditional pet insurance coverage.
Average price for Shih Tzus: $24/month
![Pawp]()
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5. Embrace
(Best established brand)
Why it’s great: As a result of the numerous perks they offer dog and cat owners, Embrace has become the most established pet insurance company. Such perks include uncapped lifetime benefits, multiple pet discounts and diminishing deductibles. With the latter, your Shih Tzu’s deductible will decrease by $50 each time you renew your policy and do not have any claim reimbursements in the year before. Another of Embrace’s dynamic offerings is their optional wellness package that extends coverage to alternative veterinary treatments, such as reiki, acupuncture, chiropractic and massage therapy.
Keep in mind: The wellness plan’s maximum combined claims total is $650, and no unused funds in the plan will be refunded at the end of the year.
Good for: Shih Tzu parents who would like their dog insurance policy to cover alternative veterinary care.
Average price for Shih Tzus: $40.32/month
![Embrace]()
Best Overall
Lemonade
Lemonade is our overall top recommendation. It’s the most comprehensive pet insurance provider for Shih Tzus and they also offer the best value.
Conclusion
We hope this article has made your search for the right dog insurance policy for your Shih Tzu more straightforward. We encourage all Shih Tzu parents to take some extra time to explore each provider’s offerings in more depth before applying for coverage. Purchasing the best pet insurance will give your beloved Shih Tzu extra protection for both routine and urgent care, that way you don’t have to shoulder the financial burden on your own. It will also help you to ensure that you can afford any life-saving treatments and procedures your dog may need so that you can share many healthy years together.
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