Insuring a Shih Tzu costs an estimated $46.00 per month for an adult dog (1–7 years old) on a standard accident & illness plan, before state differences. That is about 34% below the national average premium actually paid for dogs, $69.67/mo according to NAPHIA’s State of the Industry data. Puppies and kittens cost less to insure; seniors cost considerably more. Below we break the Shih Tzu numbers down by age, show what the same policy is estimated to cost in eight states, and explain the health risks that drive this breed’s price.
Shih Tzu Insurance Cost at a Glance
| Age band | Estimated monthly premium | Estimated annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Young (under 12 months) | $39.10/mo | $469.20/yr |
| Adult (1–7 years) | $46.00/mo | $552.00/yr |
| Senior (over 7 years) | $82.80/mo | $993.60/yr |
These are national estimates for an accident & illness plan. An accident-only policy for a Shih Tzu would typically run much lower, roughly a quarter of the accident & illness price based on national averages, but it would not cover illnesses at all. Your state, deductible and reimbursement choices move the real quote up or down from these figures.
What a Shih Tzu Policy Costs in 8 States
Where you live is one of the largest rating factors in pet insurance, because premiums track local veterinary costs. Applying each state’s cost factor to the adult Shih Tzu estimate gives:
| State | Estimated monthly premium (adult) | Estimated annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $60.72/mo | $728.64/yr |
| New York | $57.96/mo | $695.52/yr |
| Colorado | $52.90/mo | $634.80/yr |
| California | $48.30/mo | $579.60/yr |
| Illinois | $47.38/mo | $568.56/yr |
| Florida | $43.70/mo | $524.40/yr |
| Texas | $35.42/mo | $425.04/yr |
| Arkansas | $29.90/mo | $358.80/yr |
The spread is wide: the same adult Shih Tzu policy is estimated at $29.90/mo in Arkansas, the lowest-cost state in our data, versus $60.72/mo in Alaska, the highest. See our full state-by-state cost index for all 50 states and DC.
Why Shih Tzu Insurance Costs What It Does
Shih Tzus are comparatively affordable to insure. Their estimated adult premium of $46.00/mo comes in below the $57.50/mo average across the dog breeds we track. The breed is still predisposed to brachycephalic airway issues, patellar luxation, dental disease and eye conditions (including corneal ulcers), so it is not claims-free, but these issues are generally less costly to treat than the orthopedic, cardiac and cancer claims that push other breeds’ premiums up, and that shows up in the price.
As a toy breed, treatment doses and anesthesia amounts are small, which keeps individual claim sizes down, but premiums also reflect how often small breeds need dental and orthopedic care. Two things apply to every Shih Tzu policy regardless of breed: premiums rise steeply with age (our senior estimate is $82.80/mo, roughly 1.8× the adult price), and anything diagnosed before you enroll will usually be excluded as pre-existing, which is why timing matters as much as price.
How to Save on Shih Tzu Insurance
- Enroll young. A Shih Tzu puppy is estimated at $39.10/mo, and enrolling before any symptoms appear keeps the breed’s known predispositions from being ruled pre-existing.
- Raise the deductible. Moving from a $250 to a $500 deductible usually cuts the premium noticeably, as long as you can cover the higher amount in an emergency.
- Pick 70–80% reimbursement. A 90% plan feels safer but costs more every month; 80% is the most common middle ground.
- Compare the same profile across carriers. Carriers rate Shih Tzus very differently, the same pet can be quoted far apart by two companies.
- Skip add-ons you will not use. Wellness and routine-care riders pay out only if you actually claim the covered services each year.
Get Your Shih Tzu’s Estimate
Use our estimator to see this breed’s estimated cost for your exact state and your pet’s age band:
Your estimated monthly premium
How we calculate: breed base premium × your state’s cost factor × age band, from published industry data. See our full methodology →
This is an estimate, not a quote. Actual premiums vary by provider, deductible and your pet’s health.
Or read our full guide to dog insurance costs by breed and age, compare costs in every state, and see how we calculate these estimates.
Related Breeds
- Border Collie insurance cost$46.00/mo average (adult, estimate)
- Brittany insurance cost$46.00/mo average (adult, estimate)
- Miniature American Shepherd insurance cost$48.00/mo average (adult, estimate)
Shih Tzu Insurance FAQs
How much is insurance for a Shih Tzu per month?
Our estimate for an adult Shih Tzu (1–7 years old) on an accident & illness plan is $46.00/mo before state differences. A puppy under 12 months runs about $39.10/mo and a senior over 7 years about $82.80/mo. Where you live matters too: the same adult policy is estimated at $29.90/mo in Arkansas and $60.72/mo in Alaska. All figures are estimates, not quotes.
Why is Shih Tzu insurance priced the way it is?
Premiums follow expected claims. Shih Tzus are predisposed to brachycephalic airway issues, patellar luxation, dental disease and eye conditions (including corneal ulcers), and carriers price that risk in. The breed’s adult estimate of $46.00/mo is about 20% below the $57.50/mo average across the dog breeds we track. Note that whether a hereditary condition is covered, and any special waiting period for it, depends on the carrier.
Does pet insurance cover the conditions Shih Tzus are prone to?
Most accident & illness plans cover hereditary and congenital conditions, which is where predispositions such as Brachycephalic airway issues usually fall, as long as symptoms had not appeared before the policy started or during a waiting period. Anything already diagnosed or showing symptoms before coverage begins is normally treated as pre-existing and excluded. Always check the policy wording for the exact condition before you buy.
How can I lower the cost of insuring my Shih Tzu?
Four levers matter most: raise the deductible, choose a 70–80% reimbursement rate instead of 90%, pick a capped annual limit instead of unlimited, and enroll while your Shih Tzu is young and healthy, before any condition becomes pre-existing. Comparing quotes across several carriers for the identical pet profile is also one of the biggest savings available, because carriers rate the same breed very differently.
All figures on this page are estimates for planning and comparison only, they are not insurance quotes, offers, or guarantees of any premium. Actual premiums vary by carrier, your pet’s age, sex and health history, ZIP code, deductible, reimbursement rate, annual limit and plan design. See how we build these numbers on our methodology page.