Shih Tzu Pet Insurance
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
UPDATED: Nov 17, 2020
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Table of Contents
Though its name means “Lion Dog” in Chinese, the Shih Tzu is a toy breed, weighing 10 to 15 pounds (5 to 7 kg), that is distinguished by its long, silky fur and underbite.
Shih Tzus seem to have originated in Tibet and China, where they were bred to be active and people-loving, and they make great family pets, though they need lots of attention and near-daily brushing. These little bundles of fur are favorites of apartment dwellers for obvious reasons.
Need Pet Insurance?
FACT: Pet insurance pays up to 90% of vet bills when your pet is sick or injured!
Table of Contents
Common Shih Tzu Health Problems
Shih Tzus can live over 15 years, but they are at risk for several medical problems:
- Breathing Problems: these dogs’ short snouts can restrict airflow, and if the condition is severe enough surgery may be required to reconstruct the airway.
- Cataracts: the eyes of Shih Tzus tend to overproduce fluid, which may trap foreign objects and scratch the corneas. Surgery may be required to restore a dog’s sight.
- Hypothyroidism: this condition occurs when the dog’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland, resulting in a lack of the necessary hormones that the thyroid produces. Symptoms include hair loss, skin problems, weight gain, and lethargy. Blood analysis is used to confirm the presence of the disease; treatment involves daily administration of an artificial hormone to replace what the thyroid no longer produces.
- Portosystemic Shunt: this congenital condition, which afflicts smaller breeds, in particular, occurs when a blood vessel misdirects blood so that it bypasses flowing through the liver. Toxic compounds may, therefore, form accretions in the kidneys and/or circulatory system. Affected dogs may be lethargic and eat and drink abnormally. Treatment includes medication and special diets.
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Pet Health Insurance for Shih Tzu
Conditions like these can cost a great deal to treat; in particular, drugs that are required for the life of a dog can add up to a big yearly bill. The right pet health care plan can help defray the ongoing expense of providing your dog with the right medicines and drug therapies.
For other types of dogs, check out our full list of dog breeds.
Other articles you may find helpful:
Is Exotic Pet Insurance Necessary?
The Best Pet Insurance By State
Fun Facts, Dog FAQ, And Unsolicited Dog Advice
5 Training Commands to Save Your Dog’s Life
The Ultimate Guide to Safe Foods for Dogs
How do you choose a dog breed? There are so many awesome options! We have compiled a complete database about all the dog breeds, their mannerisms, care, and who they do best with. Statistically, some purebreds experience more health issues than mixed breeds. There are many pet insurance companies out there and we have put together a great article about the best puppy and dog pet insurance companies in the US.
You may be interested in one of these dog breeds:
Bernese Mountain Dog Pet Insurance
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Pet Insurance
Cocker Spaniel Breed Information
French Bulldog Breed Information
German Shepherd Breed Information
German Shorthaired Pointer Pet Insurance
Golden Retriever Breed Information
Havanese Dogs | Average Cost and Care
Jack Russell Terrier Pet Insurance
Labrador Retriever Breed Information
Miniature Schnauzer Pet Insurance
Rhodesian Ridgeback Pet Insurance
Shetland Sheepdog Pet Insurance
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Pet Insurance
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
|
Written by
Melanie Musson |
|
Reviewed by
Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
|
I live in an apartment and for some time I have been wanting to get a dog. Since it’s a small space I was considering to get a Shih Tzu and I started researching about it. I am happy that I came across this article because now I can know what to expect if I get a Shih Tzu and it also helped me decided whether or now I should get insurance for it 🙂