Is pet insurance worth it for a Chinese Crested Dog?
The Chinese Crested Dog is a playful and affectionate dog that makes a great family pet. They require minimal exercise but need plenty of love and attention. They have large crested heads and plumed tails. They make excellent watchdogs because they are alert and aware of everything around them.
Medical treatment for your Chinese Crested Dog can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more severe issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick Chinese Crested Dog can quickly add up, costing up to a few thousand dollars. In these situations, you don’t want to be in the middle of a crisis and have to choose between your beloved dog and the affordability of their medical treatment.
To prepare for these unexpected circumstances, consider investing in pet insurance. It can help you afford your dog’s medical treatments and procedures while focusing on your dog’s recovery.
Pet insurance can also provide peace of mind that your dog can be covered for the necessary treatments when it has an accident, injury, or illness. This includes (but is not limited to) broken bones, cancer treatment, harm caused by another animal, and prescriptions for chronic conditions. Therefore, pet insurance can be essential and beneficial for your pet.
Common health conditions for a Chinese Crested Dog
Typically, a Chinese Crested Dog has a longer lifespan than the average dog. You can expect your dog to live somewhere between 13 to 15 years. However, like all dog breeds, there are certain medical conditions that your dog could develop, such as:
- Epilepsy: This is the most common neurological disorder in dogs, and the Chinese Crested dog is no exception. While it’s a genetic disease, environmental factors can contribute to its development. If your Chinese Crested is experiencing seizures, take him to the vet for immediate treatment.
- Massive allergy problems: Like many hairless breeds, the Chinese Crested Dog is prone to allergies. It’s essential to feed your pup a high-quality diet that doesn’t contain chemicals or additives that could cause allergic reactions. Seek medical attention if you suspect your pet has an allergic reaction.
- Luxating patella: The patella, also known as the knee cap, is part of the stifle joint (knee). The knee cap slips out of place in patellar luxation, usually when the leg is extended. This can be extremely painful and may require surgery to correct. Keep an eye on your Crestie’s legs and bring him in for treatment if he shows signs of favoring one leg over another or limping for more than one day.
- Dental problems: It’s not uncommon for this breed to develop dental problems, such as missing or decaying teeth. If you notice anything unusual in your dog’s mouth, take him to the vet for a checkup and cleaning. Your vet may recommend special toothpaste for dogs or suggest other ways you can help keep your dog’s teeth healthy.
- Eye problems: The Chinese Crested dog’s large, protruding eyes are prone to injuries and infections, including scratches and ulcers. If your dog is suffering from an eye problem, seek treatment from a veterinarian immediately; untreated eye infections can lead to blindness.
What does pet insurance cover for a Chinese Crested Dog?
Pet insurance covers a range of diagnostics, treatments, and procedures for your dog. Depending on the pet insurance plan, you may be covered for injury-only, illness-only, or combination. Based on your plan, you are eligible for the following coverage:
- Diagnostic and blood tests: As with any breed of dog, Chinese Crested Dogs can be susceptible to certain hereditary conditions, resulting in high bills for treatment. However, there’s no need to worry about these costs if you have pet insurance because they are fully covered.
- Hereditary and genetic conditions: As with any breed of dog, Chinese Crested Dogs can be susceptible to certain congenital diseases, resulting in high bills for treatment. However, there’s no need to worry about these costs if you have pet insurance because they are fully covered.
- X-rays and surgeries: If your Chinese Crested Dog suffers an injury from playing with another dog or falling off a couch, they will likely require x-rays and possibly surgery, which can be expensive without insurance. Fortunately, these costs are fully covered under most plans.
- Medication and hospital stay: It is also important to note that any medicines needed to treat your Chinese Crested dog will be covered under their policy. Any hospital stay is required due to an injury or other health condition.
Pet insurance covers a range of treatments, but not preventative or wellness care. Regular check-ups with the veterinarian will not be covered under most pet insurance plans. You will need to take advantage of an individual wellness plan or see if the provider has any add-ons for wellness visits. Most providers do have it as an add-on.
Moreover, most insurance providers will not cover pre-existing conditions before registering your pet for coverage. Review everything your potential pet insurance plan covers and what types of pre-existing conditions they exclude to ensure your pet will be eligible for coverage.
How much does pet insurance cost for a Chinese Crested Dog?
A Chinese Crested Dog’s average pet insurance cost is $37.08/month ($444.96/year). This is just one of many reasons why having pet insurance can be a lifesaver—it can help relieve some of the financial burdens if your dog needs lots of care throughout his life, whether he’s a purebred puppy or an adult rescue.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Chinese Crested Dog?
Many factors will determine the monthly premium rate for your Chinese Crested Dog (included but not limited to):
- Age: Of course, the older your dog is, the more likely it is to have health issues that need treatment. This can also drive up the cost of coverage for your pet. If you get your Chinese Crested Dog when it’s young and enroll it in a pet insurance policy, you may be able to lock in lower rates for life.
- Location: Your zip code plays a role in how much you pay for your pet’s insurance because things like veterinary costs vary from place to place. If the expenses are higher where you live, expect to pay more for coverage.
- Gender: It’s a common practice in all kinds of insurance, including pet insurance, to charge more for males than females because, on average, males are more expensive to insure due to their higher risk of getting into fights due to their aggressive nature.
- Medical history: If your pet has a significant medical history or any pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, it could increase premiums or outright denial of coverage.
- Deductible: Deductible is the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket before your pet insurance kicks in. A higher deductible usually means a lower premium and vice versa.
- Reimbursement rate: The reimbursement rate is the percentage of your vet bill that your insurer will pay back to you. The higher the reimbursement rate, the more expensive the insurance policy.
- Coverage amount: The coverage amount refers to the maximum amount allowed by your plan per diagnosis, annually, and over your pet’s lifetime. Higher coverage amounts are more expensive but will cover more if your dog has a severe illness or injury.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Chinese Crested Dog
Many pet insurance options are available for a Chinese Crested Dog, so how do you choose the best one? Here are some key factors to keep in mind as you are deciding on the right plan:
- Budget: The premium will also depend on the pet’s age, breed, and medical history. You may need to evaluate your finances and decide how much you can comfortably afford to pay each month or year towards insurance.
- Customer feedback: Every pet insurance provider offers different benefits and has a distinct reputation among its customers. Look into how satisfied people are with their pet insurance plan and how easy or challenging it is to get the expected benefits. Many sites can help you make this comparison.
- Conditions covered: Check to see if any of the conditions your dog is prone to have been covered by the plan. If not, keep looking—you’ll want to make sure that any treatment your dog needs is covered by your insurance in case something happens.
- Reimbursement rate: The reimbursement rate will be determined by your deductible and your coinsurance, but it’s a good idea to figure out what that rate is ahead of time so you have an idea of how much you’ll have to spend out of pocket.
- Coverage amount: Look for a policy that covers your dog’s needs and allows you to choose limits and deductibles that fit your budget—without skimping on coverage. Consider that you may need more than one policy if your dog has multiple health problems, such as allergies and arthritis.
- Deductible: The higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premiums. If your budget allows for it, consider choosing a higher deductible, so your monthly payments are lower but still cover most of the costs of caring for your pet.