Small in size and big in personality, chances are that your Chihuahua is a loyal and loved member of your household. Keep your Chihuahua’s health in check by investing in quality pet insurance.
Pumpkin offers high-quality pet insurance plans for cats and dogs as well as an optional non-insurance preventive care plan for vaccinations, key tests and wellness exams, which will help to keep your pet happy and healthy through their life. You can travel with your pet in Canada or the US and can get access from any licensed vet in these countries. The platform is entirely digitized and serves as a one-stop-shop for all your pet's healthcare needs.
Pumpkin will cover up to $20,000 for dogs and $15,000 for cats annually.
What we like
Extensive coverage on multiple health issues
Optional preventive care plan that reimburses in full for annual wellness exams and vaccines
Pumpkin Advertiser Disclosure: Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy. Products, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. (“Pumpkin”) (NPN #19084749) is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company (NAIC #21113, Morristown, NJ) and produced by Pumpkin. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy. It is offered as an optional add-on non-insurance benefit. Pumpkin is responsible for the product and administration. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not available in all states. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/customeragreement. Paid Endorsement.
Lemonade has earned a stellar reputation in the pet insurance industry with its affordable monthly premiums and fast reimbursement of claims with its AI technology. This technology has attracted thousands with its customizable policies and provides comprehensive coverage on illness and accidents to dogs and cats.
What we like
Customizable plans so you only pay for coverage that your pet needs
Claims are reimbursed in minutes
Affordable monthly premiums starting at $10/month
Comprehensive wellness plans to keep your pet in good health
Pawp offers pet owners an emergency fund up to but not exceeding $3,000 annually. The platform is different from other traditional pet insurance agencies as it does not require you to provide a medical examination report before enrolling your pet. Whether your pet is healthy or has been diagnosed with a pre-existing condition, you can still enroll it and access the emergency fund when the need arises.
With no deductibles and low monthly premiums as low as $24, the digital platform will protect your furry friend during an incident and save money from large vet expenses. Although the agency does not provide any limitations on age, it is best to insure your pet while still young and be prepared in advance when an emergency occurs.
What we like
Monthly premiums as low as $24
Allows coverage on 6 pets for $24 a month
Allows enrollment of pets with pre-existing conditions
24/7 unlimited access to Pawp’s virtual vet doctors
What we don't
Coverage is restricted to healthcare emergencies only
Does not offer wellness coverage
Emergency funds can be accessed only once per year
Prudent pet has excellent coverage for your pet regardless of their age. The insurer can customize your plan from illnesses, medications, accidents to preventive care that will fit your pet's needs and financial situation. This plan will give you peace of mind that you won't break the bank with unlimited coverage if an emergency occurs since treatments tend to be more expensive for older pets.
What we like
Older cats and dogs are covered
Customize your plan to fit your pet's needs and financial situation
Customers from US can get covered in Canada as well
Unlimited live vet chat if an issue occurs with your pet
We all want to take the best care of our pets to ensure they stay safe and healthy. But it doesn’t take much to come home and find that your dog has swallowed an item and needs an emergency visit to the vet.
In addition, Chihuahuas are a pure breed and they’re likely to develop hereditary and genetic conditions over their life. This can have health risks that require treatments and medical care where costs and out-of-pocket expenses can quickly get out of control.
Pet insurance can cover many of your out-of-pocket expenses and give you the peace of mind that your dog will receive the medical care necessary to get back to good health.
Common health conditions for a Chihuahua
A healthy Chihuahua can live as long as 20 years however due to their small size; they can often suffer from health issues. Some common health conditions they may experience are:
Tracheal collapse: An inherited disorder, this is where the windpipe collapses leading your dog to start coughing severely. Factors that can increase the likelihood of this occurring include exposure to cigarette smoke, respiratory infections, and obesity.
Luxating Patellas: Dislocation of the kneecap, in severe cases your dog may need surgery to correct this.
Dental problems: Due to their small size and mouth, Chihuahuas can be more susceptible to gum disease.
Hydrocephalus: Spinal fluid builds up around the brain which causes swelling. Sometimes this can lead to seizures and cause pressure and damage to the brain.
What does pet insurance cover for a Chihuahua?
It’s important to enroll your Chihuahua into a pet insurance plan while they are healthy and young as the majority of providers do not cover pre-existing conditions. Based on your plan, you are eligible for the following coverage:
Emergency care: Accidents and illnesses can come up without notice. A pet insurance plan will cover treatments required to bring your dog back to good health.
X-rays, ultrasounds, and scans: If your dog gets injured, an X-ray may be required to determine the best course of treatment. In addition, ultrasounds and scans can help check for other medical conditions that may cause a health issue.
Prescription medication: Your vet may prescribe medication for your dog if required to treat an infection or an illness.
Surgery and hospitalization: If your Chihuahua gets injured and requires surgery, this can quickly become very expensive. In addition, if your dog needs to stay in a hospital to recover, your pet insurance will cover the costs so you can focus on helping your pull through.
The majority of policies cover accidents and illness. However, depending on your budget, you can opt for an accident-only policy which is cheaper and will cover your dog for certain health emergencies.
It’s a good idea to double-check if your plan covers alternative treatments. These can differ depending on your policy provider and can include physical therapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and chiropractic treatments amongst others.
Plus, as Chihuahuas are susceptible to dental problems, some pet insurers may have dental coverage as an add-on benefit to the policy.
How are insurance premiums determined for a Chihuahua?
Many different factors determine the cost of your pet insurance coverage. Some of these factors include:
Age: As your dog ages, coverage will become more expensive. It will also be harder to change policy providers as most insurers will not provide coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Breed: As purebred, Chihuahuas can have hereditary and genetic conditions over their life. This can increase the premium of the policy.
Deductibles: High deductibles will be reflected in lower premiums but this also results in higher expenses for you as you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket until your policy limits have been reached.
Annual coverage limits: Higher coverage results in higher premiums. The majority of insurers have a maximum payout per active policy period, but there are a few insurers that provide unlimited coverage.
Location: Veterinary care costs can differ by location. If there are fewer services available in your area, you could pay a higher premium.
It’s important to note that every policy will have its limits and exclusions. To avoid any surprises, it’s a good idea to read the terms and conditions before purchasing a plan.
How to choose the best Chihuahua pet insurance?
Before you buy pet insurance, there are many factors to look out for to make sure the policy and coverage will be adequate and suitable for your dog’s needs. Here are some of the key factors to keep in mind as you shop for a plan:
Consider your Chihuahua’s needs: With certain hereditary conditions and health problems, it’s important to assess your Chihuahua’s needs first and purchase a pet insurance plan that can provide adequate coverage for treatments and procedures should a health issue arise.
Take a long-term outlook: It’s difficult to change your pet insurance plan later in life as some insurers won’t provide coverage for older dogs. It’s best to get started with a good plan from the beginning to avoid unexpected costs later in life as your dog gets older.
Look for relevant policy add-ons: To keep your Chihuahua in good health, regular checkups with the vet are a good idea. Look for policy add-ons that can cover the costs for routine checkups and appointments.Â
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