Shih Tzu insurance
Thinking about insurance for your Shih Tzu? The good news is that every US insurer we compare will insure Shih Tzus, and none of them excludes the breed. What's most useful to know is which health problems Shih Tzus claim for most often, so you can check a policy covers them well. Here they are by life stage, with what each one typically costs to treat in a year, along with how long Shih Tzus usually live.
What health problems do Shih Tzus have?
These are the conditions most often claimed for Shih Tzus at each stage of life, from Trupanion's claims data, with the typical cost of treatment in a year. "Likely" compares Shih Tzus with the average dog in Trupanion's data. Each bar shows the cost range on the same scale, so you can see which problems cost most.
As a puppy
- Tooth extraction$300 to $400 a year2.5 times as likely as the average dogDoes pet insurance cover dental?
- Ear infection (otitis)$100 a yearAbout as likely as the average dogNationwide's 2025 claims: 80% of otitis externa claims cost up to $312 in the first 30 days.
- Corneal ulcera sore on the surface of the eye$200 to $300 a year3 times as likely as the average dog
As an adult
- Allergies$100 to $200 a year10% more likely than the average dogNationwide's 2025 claims: 80% of skin allergies claims cost up to $286 in the first 30 days and $891 in the first year.
- Bladder or kidney stones (urolithiasis)$1,200 to $1,900 a year2.5 times as likely as the average dog
- Conjunctivitis$100 a year55% more likely than the average dog
As a senior
- Cushing's disease (hypercortisolism)$700 to $1,200 a year95% more likely than the average dog
- Congestive heart failure$600 to $1,800 a year65% more likely than the average dog
- Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)$200 to $300 a year3.5 times as likely as the average dog
Source: Trupanion, Commonly Claimed Conditions (US claims data, June 2019); Nationwide's most common claims of 2025. Costs are Trupanion's average yearly cost of treatment, in US dollars.
What to check in a policy for a Shih Tzu
Some of the conditions above have their own rules in pet insurance policies, such as longer waiting periods or exclusions if signs show early on. These guides show how each insurer handles them.
Which insurers cover Shih Tzus?
All of these US insurers will insure a Shih Tzu. Click a name to see what that policy covers.
Your questions answered
Can you get insurance for a Shih Tzu?
Yes. All 9 US insurers we compare will insure a Shih Tzu, and none of their policies excludes the breed.
How long do Shih Tzus live?
The American Kennel Club gives a life expectancy of 10 to 18 years for the Shih Tzu. It's worth choosing cover that stays with your dog for life, because the conditions Shih Tzus claim for most tend to change as they get older.
Is Shih Tzu insurance more expensive?
We don't list prices, because they depend on your dog and where you live. Insurers do price by breed: Figo, for example, says premiums are based on the species or breed of your pet. The best way to compare is to get quotes and check how each policy covers the conditions Shih Tzus are most likely to need.
What health problems are Shih Tzus prone to?
In Trupanion's US claims data, the costliest conditions claimed for Shih Tzus include bladder or kidney stones, congestive heart failure and cushing's disease. The full list by life stage is above.
Health data from Trupanion's US claims (June 2019) and Nationwide's 2025 claims; lifespan from the American Kennel Club; which insurers cover the breed from each insurer's own documents and exclusion lists, read in October 2026. Check the policy before you buy.
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