Shih Tzu insurance cost
A 3-year-old Shih Tzu typically costs $26 a month to insure, with a likely range of $14–$37. Expect about $25 for a puppy and $91 at age 10.5. That is 31% less than the median dog breed.
Estimates only, not a quote. Not financial or veterinary advice. Full disclaimer.
Estimate for your Shih Tzu
$26 /month typical
Likely range $14–$37 a month ($166–$448 a year)
- Average dog premium at the reference age$52.83/mo
- Age 3 years×0.68
- Shih Tzu×0.71
- National average (no state selected)×1.00
- Accident & illness plan×1.00
Estimates only, not a quote. Not financial or veterinary advice. Based on a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit. Actual prices depend on the insurer, ZIP code and your pet's history.
Monthly cost by age
| Age | Typical | Likely range | All-breed median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (6 months) | $25 | $13–$36 | $35 |
| Young adult (3 years) | $26 | $14–$37 | $36 |
| Middle-aged (6 years) | $37 | $20–$54 | $53 |
| Senior (10.5 years) | $91 | $49–$132 | $129 |
Shih Tzus rank 2 of 154 dog breeds by price in the quote data (1 = cheapest), in the cheapest quarter. Between age 3 and 10.5 the typical premium rises 3.5-fold. AAHA guidelines treat dogs as seniors in the last 25% of their expected lifespan, which for a Shih Tzu (AKC life expectancy 10–18 years) starts around age 10.5. Add your state in the calculator above: state prices range from about 31% below to 18% above the national average.
Why a Shih Tzu costs less to insure
Shih Tzus are cheap to insure and long-lived, with a median age at death of 12.7 years in UK records. Their prominent eyes give them about ten times the odds of corneal ulcers, and they have higher odds of heart valve disease later in life. Dental disease was their most common diagnosis. Expect mostly moderate claims, plus a real chance of a heart condition in the senior years.
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Corneal ulcers Higher risk
Shih Tzus had 10.04 times the odds of corneal ulcers compared with crossbred dogs. [source]
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Mitral valve disease (heart) Higher risk
Shih Tzus had 2.89 times the odds of diagnosed mitral valve disease compared with crossbred dogs. [source]
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Periodontal (dental) disease Common
Periodontal disease was the most common disorder in UK Shih Tzus (9.5% in one year). [source]
Typical US treatment cost: $394–$2,628. On a $1,511 bill, a $500 deductible / 80% / $5,000 policy would pay $809. Read the guide
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Hypothyroidism Lower risk
Shih Tzus had lower odds of hypothyroidism than crossbred dogs (odds ratio 0.38). [source]
No treatment cost shown for corneal ulcers, mitral valve disease (heart): we have not found a reliable published US cost range yet, and we do not estimate one ourselves. Ask your vet for a written estimate.
Lifetime cost: insurance vs paying the vet yourself
Insuring a Shih Tzu from puppyhood to an expected lifespan of about 14 years adds up to roughly $9,053 in typical premiums at today's prices (national average, accident and illness, no inflation). Compare that with what a single episode of this breed's documented conditions can cost:
| Condition | Cost range | Policy pays at midpoint* | Years of premiums |
|---|---|---|---|
| Periodontal (dental) disease | $394–$2,628 | $809 | 4.9 |
*$500 deductible, 80% reimbursement, $5,000 annual limit, first claim of the year. "Years of premiums" = midpoint cost divided by the typical annual premium at age 3. Insurance is a hedge: most years you pay more in premiums than you claim, and a policy pays off in the years with a large bill. If you could pay the bills in this table from savings without hardship, self-insuring can make sense; see is pet insurance worth it?
Which coverage fits a Shih Tzu
- Accident and illness, not accident-only. The conditions documented for Shih Tzus are illnesses or degenerative problems, which accident-only plans do not cover. Accident-only costs about 31% as much as accident and illness in the quote data, so it suits a tight budget but leaves out the main risks for this breed.
- Check how chronic conditions are handled. Mitral valve disease (heart), Periodontal (dental) disease are lifelong conditions. Ask whether the deductible resets every year or once per condition, and whether there are per-condition caps.
- Dental illness cover. Periodontal disease is a documented issue for this breed. Policies differ on whether dental illness is covered and how; routine cleanings are usually a wellness item, not insurance.
- Enroll early. Anything noted in your dog's records before coverage starts can be excluded as pre-existing. Premiums for a Shih Tzu are $26 a month at age 3 versus $91 at 10.5 in the quote data.
Similar breeds
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel $36/mo
- Pug $37/mo
- Dachshund $29/mo
- Bichon Frise $32/mo
- Miniature Schnauzer $32/mo
Related guides
- Does pet insurance cover dental care?
- How pet insurance deductibles work
- Pet insurance for senior dogs
- Pre-existing conditions and pet insurance
- Accident-only vs accident and illness pet insurance
Frequently asked questions
How much is pet insurance for a Shih Tzu?
About $26 a month for a 3-year-old Shih Tzu (likely $14–$37), $25 for a puppy and $91 at age 10.5, for an accident and illness policy with a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 limit, before any state adjustment.
Is a Shih Tzu expensive to insure?
At the reference age of 6, a Shih Tzu costs 31% less than the median dog breed in our data, and ranks 2 of 154 breeds from cheapest to most expensive.
Does pet insurance cover corneal ulcers in Shih Tzus?
Accident and illness policies generally cover it if it was not present, treated or showing signs before the policy started or during the waiting period; that is the NAIC Model Act definition of a pre-existing condition. Policies that exclude hereditary or congenital conditions must say so in their disclosures.
At what age is a Shih Tzu a senior, and what happens to the price?
AAHA guidelines define a senior dog as one in the last 25% of its expected lifespan. With an AKC life expectancy of 10–18 years, that is about age 10.5 for a Shih Tzu. In the quote data its premium at 10.5 is 3.5 times the price at age 3.
How much does it cost to insure a Shih Tzu for life?
If you insure from puppyhood to an expected lifespan of about 14 years, typical premiums add up to roughly $9,053 at today's prices (no inflation, no state adjustment). Premiums usually rise over time, so the real figure is likely higher.
Breed facts: AKC Shih Tzu page (Toy Group; weight 9-16 pounds; life expectancy 10-18 years).
Sources
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- American Kennel Club (AKC). Dog breed pages (weight, life expectancy, group). Accessed 11/06/2026.
- Dale F et al., Canine Medicine and Genetics (2024). Demography, common disorders and mortality of Shih Tzu dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- Mattin MJ et al., Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (2015). Prevalence of and risk factors for degenerative mitral valve disease in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- MoneyGeek. Best Dog Insurance. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- MoneyGeek. Best Cat Insurance. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- MoneyGeek. How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (10/14/2026). Accessed 11/06/2026.
- MoneyGeek. Pet Insurance Methodology (04/24/2026). Accessed 11/06/2026.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Pet Insurance Model Act (MO-633) (08/13/2022). Accessed 11/06/2026.
- O'Neill DG et al., Canine Genetics and Epidemiology (2017). Corneal ulcerative disease in dogs under primary veterinary care in England: epidemiology and clinical management. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- O'Neill DG et al., Canine Medicine and Genetics (2022). Frequency, breed predispositions and other demographic risk factors for diagnosis of hypothyroidism in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Accessed 11/06/2026.
Full list, limitations and how each figure is used: methodology.
Data last reviewed: · How we estimate