If you have a Shiba Inu, chances are they’ve already become a loved member of your family. Keep them healthy and safe by considering quality pet insurance for expensive veterinarian bills. To help you with this process, we’ve looked at the top choices for coverage, discounts, reimbursements, and overall quality.
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
Shiba Inu is a healthy breed, with many living a long life if cared for properly. However, like all dog breeds, they are susceptible to specific health problems that can be expensive to treat.
Medical treatment for your Shiba Inu can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more serious issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick Shiba Inu 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 pet’s medical treatments and procedures, while you focus on your dog’s recovery.Â
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.
Pet insurance may seem like an unnecessary expense, but if your Shiba Inu develops one of these severe health problems, it could save you thousands of dollars in vet bills. Therefore, pet insurance can be important and beneficial for your pet.
Common health conditions for a Shiba Inu
Typically, a Shiba Inu has a long lifespan. You can expect your dog to live somewhere between 12 – 15 years. However, like all dog breeds, there are certain medical conditions that your dog could develop such as:
Hip dysplasia: It is a congenital condition in which the ball and socket joint of the hips doesn’t fit together correctly, leading to chronic pain and arthritis.
Patellar luxation: This is an orthopaedic condition in which the kneecap slips out of place, causing lameness or limping in one or both legs. It can cause crippling damage to the knee joint in severe cases.
Hypothyroidism: This is an endocrine condition that occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, resulting in a variety of health problems, such as skin and coat issues, weight gain, and lethargy.
Cataracts: This is a common condition that affects many breeds of dogs and can be caused by ageing, genetic factors, or disease. In the case of a Shiba Inu, cataracts are often associated with diabetes mellitus. Cataract symptoms include cloudiness of the eye lens and may lead to blindness if left untreated.
Atopy: This is a common allergic condition in dogs, and a Shiba Inu is among the breeds most likely to suffer from it. Atopy is an allergy to airborne substances, such as dust mites, mould spores and pollen. Common symptoms include itchy skin and paws, excessive scratching and paw licking or chewing.
What does pet insurance cover for a Shiba Inu?
Pet insurance covers a range of diagnostics, treatments, and procedures for your dog. Based on your plan, you are eligible for the following coverage:
Accidents: Accident coverage can include injuries from collisions with other animals or cars, poisoning and ingesting non-food items, getting stuck in tight spaces or falling from heights. Some insurance companies also cover veterinary fees relating to emergency visits.
Illness: Illness insurance covers veterinary fees incurred by a disease that appears after your policy has started (and isn’t a pre-existing condition). This can include conditions like cancer and diabetes.
Routine care: Visits to the vet for preventative care such as checkups and vaccinations. Most plans don’t cover the cost of regular maintenance, but they can be added as an optional rider in many cases.
In addition, most insurance providers will not cover pre-existing conditions that were established before you registered your pet for coverage. Be sure to 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 are pet insurance premiums determined for a Shiba Inu?
There are many factors that can go into the cost of your pet insurance premiums. Below are some of the common ones:
Location: Your dog’s area can significantly impact the cost of pet insurance. States with high veterinary costs will generally have higher pet insurance premiums than states with lower veterinary costs.
Age: As your dog ages, the likelihood of your dog getting sick increase. This is why premiums tend to increase as dogs get older.
Deductible: A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in. Typically, higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums, and lower deductibles will result in higher premiums.Â
Gender: Male dogs often have higher premiums because they’re at risk for certain cancers and other disorders. Also, males tend to be more aggressive and get in more trouble.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Shiba Inu
Your Shiba Inu is part of your family, so it’s only natural that you want to protect them from illnesses and injuries. There are many pet insurance options available for a Shiba Inu, 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:
Check out the company’s reputation: The pet insurance industry is young, so dozens of companies offer different types of plans. If the company is rated highly among current customers, that’s a good sign. You can also check with your state insurance department to see if there are any complaints against the insurance provider.
Consider your budget: You don’t want to spend more on pet insurance than you have available in your monthly budget, but you also don’t want to cut corners when caring for your dog. If you’re looking for insurance for your dog, make sure that the policy has all of the necessary coverage options to avoid paying a fortune out of pocket if something happens to your pet.
Consider pre-existing conditions: Many pet insurance companies will not cover pre-existing conditions (conditions your dog already has). If your dog has been diagnosed with a health issue or had surgery previously, check if the plans cover these conditions.
Define your needs: When you have a dog like a Shiba Inu, with high energy level that needs to be met daily, it might make sense to get more coverage than you would for less active breeds.
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