Best Pet Insurance For Shiba Inu: Cost, Quotes & FAQs

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As a proud Shiba Inu parent, I know firsthand how important it is to take care of these adorable and feisty dogs. From their mischievous personalities to their loyalty and intelligence, Shiba Inus make wonderful companions. But like any pet, they can be prone to health issues and accidents, resulting in costly veterinary bills.

Pet insurance can be a lifesaver for you and your furry friend. In this article, we’ll look at the best pet insurance options for Shiba Inu based on coverage, affordability, and customer reviews, so you can make an informed decision and provide your beloved Shiba Inu with the best care possible.

The Best Pet Insurance For Shiba Inu

Here are Canine Bible’s top picks for the best pet insurance for Shiba Inu

You can click this link to go to the reviews, but we encourage you to keep reading to make a more educated decision about getting pet insurance for your Shiba Inu.

What Is Pet Shiba Inu Insurance?

Getting pet insurance for your Shiba Inu dog is equivalent to getting health insurance for yourself. Pet Insurance is designed to reimburse dog owners for unexpected veterinary expenses and related fees, giving them peace of mind and protecting their savings.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost For Shiba Inu?

Shiba Inu’s dog insurance prices will be based on your pet’s pre-existing health conditions, gender, age, location, and other factors.

Keep in mind rising vet costs due to technological advances and an increasing number of claims in your location, which can increase your monthly payment. For instance, if your Shiba Inu is quoted at $45 per month today, that price is subject to change.

We compared quotes for plans for Shiba Inu with three popular pet insurance providers to help you find the best fit for you in terms of monthly premiums and coverage. We chose three Shiba Inu at different stages in their life.

  • An adult Shiba Inu (5 years old)
  • A young Shiba Inu (1-year-old)
  • A puppy Shiba Inu (3 months old).

Check out our Pet Insurance Comparison table for Shiba Inu below.

Pet Insurance Quotes For Shiba Inu

CompanyDeductibleReimbursementAnnual Reimbursement LimitMonthly PriceLocationGenderBreedAge
Lemonade$50070%$100,000$27.16SC, 29044MaleShiba Inu6 years
Spot$50070%Unlimited$37.99SC, 29044MaleShiba Inu6 years
Healthy Paws$50070%Unlimited$37.43SC, 29044MaleShiba Inu6 years
Lemonade$50070%$100,000$26.96CA, 95842FemaleShiba Inu2 year
Spot$50070%Unlimited$46.02CA, 95842FemaleShiba Inu2 year
Healthy Paws$50070%Unlimited$30.56CA, 95842FemaleShiba Inu2 year
Lemonade$50070%$100,000$34.38TX, 75219FemaleShiba Inu6 months
Spot$50070%Unlimited$41.10TX, 75219FemaleShiba Inu6 months
Healthy Paws$50070%Unlimited$33.22TX, 75219FemaleShiba Inu6 months

How Much Can You Expect to Pay For Shiba Inu Canine Insurance?

If you get Pet Insurance for your Shiba Inu, you can expect to pay between $21 to $73 per month. Depending on where you live, what deductible, and the reimbursement percentage you choose, you may spend more or less.

NOTE: The quotes we ran were for dogs with no pre-existing conditions. All quotes are from February 2023

Is Pet insurance For Shiba Inu Worth it?

Here are three main reasons why you should consider getting pet insurance for your Shiba Inu

1. Avoid Deciding Between Your Wallet And Your Shiba Inu

USA Today reports that many dog owners have made the terrible decision to euthanize their pups because they didn’t have the money to pay for surgery or treatment.[1]

Pet insurance allows you to seek medical care for your sick or injured Shiba Inu without worrying about hurting your finances.

On average, the most common dog treatments cost $252.75, while a more severe and common condition in Shiba Inu, like Patellar Luxation, can cost between $1,500 – $3,000 to diagnose and treat.[2]

2. Pet Insurance For Shiba Inu Accidents

According to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, nearly 70% of households in the U.S. own a pet, and it’s estimated that 1 in 3 will need emergency veterinary treatment every year. So, how does that translate to Shiba Inu numbers?

A recent survey found that roughly 90 million dogs live in the United States.[3] So, unfortunately, 33% (1 in 3) of Shiba Inu may need emergency care this year. This could lead to massive vet bills. In fact, the average cost of unexpected veterinary care for dogs is between $250 to $8,000, says Healthy Paws in a recent report.[4] Sadly, only 61 percent of Americans cannot cover a $1,000 emergency.[5]

A good pet insurance plan will cover most of the vet costs as most pet insurance policies reimburse up to 80% (some go up to 90%) of total vet expenses after deductibles.

3. Common Health Issues For Shiba Inu

The following table shows the most common health conditions Shiba Inu are likely to develop.

We also include the level of risk (susceptibility to each health condition) and how much you are expected to pay.

ConditionRiskCost to Diagnose & Treat
Hip DysplasiaMedium$1,500 - $6,000
Patellar LuxationHigh$1,500 - $3,000
Skin DiseasesMedium$500 - $2,500
AnxietyMedium$250 - $300
CataractsMedium$1,500 - $5,000
HypothyroidismMedium$300 - $800

Other Reasons To Get Dog Insurance For Your Shiba Inu

  • Delivers peace of mind
  • Can cover your pet’s hereditary condition
  • Avoid veterinary rising cost
  • Can help you find your missing/stolen pet
  • Can cover third-party liabilities
  • Helps you save money

Pro Tip: If you know your dog breed is prone to develop certain health issues, we highly recommend getting a pet insurance policy when your dog is still healthy. If your dog does develop chronic conditions down the road, you’re guaranteed reimbursement for these issues throughout your dog’s life.

Pet Insurance for your Shiba Inu can spare you financial trouble. Chronic health conditions, emergencies, and vet visits can rack up costs throughout your Shiba Inu’s life.


Best Pet Insurance For Shiba Inu

Here are Canine Bible’s top picks for the best pet insurance for Shiba Inu.

We’ve reviewed each company based on specific breed needs, customer reviews, affordability, and other factors to help you choose the right company and coverage for your Shiba Inu.

Best Overall — Healthy Paws

Our rating: 4.8

We named Healthy Paws our best overall pet insurance for your Shiba Inu for its comprehensive coverage, pricing, availability, and customer service. There are no caps on payouts when you file a claim under a Healthy Paws insurance plan. A Healthy Paws insurance plan may cover accidents, illnesses, cancer, emergency care, genetic conditions, and alternative care.

They have competitive premium prices. We ran a quote for a healthy Shiba Inu at a $500 deductible, with 70% coverage. Depending on your location, pet’s age, and other factors, you can expect to pay between $25 and $46.

With Healthy Paws, you can start protecting your Shiba Inu at eight weeks old. You can protect them from anything like a pesky bee sting to parvo.

Once you pay your deductible, there is no limit on the amount your policy can reimburse you. It also has fewer coverage exclusions compared to many competitors. Healthy Paws states that they pay 99% of claims in two days.

Pros

  • You can submit your claim online or via their app
  • Pet are eligible for coverage when they travel with you in the U.S. or Canada (up to 3 months)
  • BBB Rating: A+
  • Great email response time
  • Direct deposit or check reimbursement
  • No limit to how many claims you can make

Cons

  • 15-day waiting period for accident and illness
  • Doesn’t cover veterinary exam fees and behavioral therapies
  • No wellness plan
  • There is a one-time enrollment fee of $25
  • Can’t enroll pets over 4 years old in N.Y.

Best Value — Lemonade Pet Insurance

Our rating: 4.7

Lemonade offers excellent pet insurance coverage for your Shiba Inu at the most affordable price. While your monthly premium cost will vary by location, pet’s age, gender, and other factors, Lemonade premiums usually start at just $10 a month, the lowest in the industry.

To estimate your monthly premium, we ran a few quotes for a healthy Shiba Inu at a $500 deductible and 70%, 80%, and 90% coverage. Based on our research, you can expect to pay between $21 and $28.

We love that Lemonade is tech-forward, making it easy to manage your policy and file claims through an app. Their plans cover accidents and illnesses, including injuries, poisonings, broken bones, sprains, infections, general sicknesses, cancer, heart disease, hip dysplasia, hernias, skin conditions, and more.

They also offer several add-ons to help pet owners pay for exam fees, physical therapy, and preventive care costs.

Pros

  • Coverage starts at $5 per month
  • Provides a mobile app and website chat function
  • Giveback program donates unused policy money to charities
  • Waiting period of 2 days for accidents, which is shorter than many competitors
  • Preventive care treatments for puppies and kittens under 2 years old
  • 10% discount for bundling your policy with Lemonade home insurance or renters insurance

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer coverage for pets over 14 years old

Most Customizable Plans — Spot Insurance

Our rating: 4.7

Spot Pet Insurance is ideal for Shiba Inu dog owners who want a variety of ways to customize their policies. Spot offers seven annual limit options, three reimbursement levels, and five annual deductibles. They offer the lowest deductible in the industry ($100), meaning that when your Shiba Inu gets sick, you pay less upfront before your plan starts paying. With so many customization options, this company it’s our top pick for finding a plan for meeting your specific financial needs and those of your pet.

Spot’s policies also cover some items, such as exam fees and microchipping, that many other pet insurance providers don’t offer. They also have one of the cheapest plans for accident-only coverage, making it perfect for pet owners who only need minimal coverage.

If you sign up with Spot Pet Insurance, based on our research, you can expect to pay between $35 and $73, but prices may vary depending on your location, Shiba Inu’s age, and other factors.

Spot covers you when your Shiba Inu gets hurt unexpectedly, from tooth extractions to torn ligaments. They can also cover Hip Dysplasia treatment, which Shiba Inu are prone to, as long as they were diagnosed after coverage.

Pros

  • Low $100 deductible is available
  • Has seven options for coverage limits
  • Multipet discount of 10%
  • Two optional wellness plans are available
  • Has a 24/7 pet telehealth line

Cons

  • The waiting period for accident coverage is 14 days
  • Does not cover prescription pet food
  • Limited knee and ligament coverage (bilateral condition policies)

Great For Pre-Existing Conditions

If your Shiba Inu suffers from a curable pre-existing condition Embrace Pet Insurance is your best choice! Most pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions, but Embrace distinguishes between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions. They can cover curable conditions after 12 months of symptoms and are treatment-free.


Shiba Inu Average Vet Bill Cost (Healthy Vet Visits vs Emergencies)

Are you wondering how much you would have to pay out of pocket for regular vet visits and emergencies? Here is a breakdown of the average price for both.

If you don’t have insurance, you will likely pay similar amounts for either visit.

Healthy Vet Visits

  • Puppy vaccinations: $75-100
  • Flea & tick prevention: $40-200
  • Heartworm prevention: $24-120
  • Spay or neuter surgery: $200-800
  • Annual exam: $240-600
  • Teeth cleaning: $200-500
  • Microchip: $40

Emergency Vet Visits

  • General consultation/exam: $100-$150
  • General bloodwork: $80-200
  • X-rays: $150-$250
  • Ultrasound: $300-$600
  • 1-2 day hospitalization: $600-$1,700
  • 3-5 day hospitalization: $1,500-$3,500
  • Wound treatment & repair: $800-$1,500
  • Emergency surgery: $800-$2,500
  • Oxygen therapy: $500

Pet Insurance For Shiba Inu Puppy

Should you get pet insurance for your Shiba Inu puppy?

Here are the top reasons you should consider Shiba Inu puppy insurance.

  • Lower Premiums. Younger pets are cheaper to insure than their older counterparts. Because pet insurance rates are based on age, breed and location, your premium is lower with puppies.
  • Covering Future Conditions. If you know your dog breed is predisposed to certain health issues, it’s best to insure your puppy before he shows any symptoms or is diagnosed with an illness or issue. Most pet insurance providers won’t cover pre-existing conditions. However, if your puppy develops one (i.e., cancer, allergies, diabetes) when insured, your pet insurance company will cover the cost and any future expenses.
  • Puppies Get In Trouble. Shiba Inu puppies eat, chew, and lick almost anything. They are more prone to suffer from accidents and bacteria and virus infections.
  • Puppy Vet Bills. When you get a puppy for the first time, there are a lot of expenses associated with raising a puppy — from toys and food to vet-related costs. In fact, 81% of pet parents spend up to $500 on vet visits in the first year of having a puppy. While the upfront costs for first-year pet ownership typically cost over $1,000, says the ASPCA.

Types of Pet Insurance Coverage

What does pet insurance cover? It depends on your plan. There are two main types of pet insurance plans.

  • Accident Plans: Covers accident-related medical care such as ingestion of foreign objects, poisoning, or if your Shiba Inu was hit by a car.
  • Illness Plans: Coves unexpected sickness, disease, and any changes to your dog’s normal healthy state (i.e., allergies and cancer)

You can sign up for 1 or 2 (or both), but this will mostly depend on your Shiba Inu needs and finances. Most pet insurance companies nowadays offer a single plan that includes accidents and illness.

In addition to that, pet insurance providers also offer wellness plans, also known as “routine” or “preventative.” care plans. It covers most routine vet visits, such as vaccinations. A wellness plan is not pet insurance.

The Most Common Items Covered Per Type of Pet Insurance


Accident CoverageIllness CoverageWellness Coverage
Broken bonesObesityFlea, tick and worm treatments
Torn ligamentsUTIsRabies
Bite woundsCancerMicrochip
PoisoningHypothyroidism
De-worming
InjuriesDigestive Issues
teeth cleaning
EmergenciesIVDD
Routine testing
Eye InjuriesVomiting and diarrheaAnnual exams
Snake BiteArthritisSpay and neuter
Toxin food ingestionParasitesUrinalysis (ERD)

Not all pet insurance companies offer wellness plans. ii. Coverage items will depend and vary depending on the company and plan you choose.

What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover?

Pet insurance doesn’t cover it all!

When buying Pet Insurance for your Shiba Inu, you’ll need to carefully review the different plans to see what isn’t covered.

Most pet insurance policies exclude the following:

  • Grooming
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Unrelated veterinary services
  • Behavioral training, therapy, or treatment 
  • Breeding and pregnancy
  • Dog food or dietary or nutritional supplements
  • Boarding and transportation

This exclusion will vary depending on your pet insurance company and plan.

Tip: Please always read your policy. Request the complete list of exclusions before getting pet insurance. This will ensure your Shiba Inu is fully covered by the plan you pick and help you avoid surprises down the road.

How Do I Pick The Right Dog Insurance For My Shiba Inu?

Here are eight tips to help you choose the best pet insurance policy for your Shiba Inu.

  • Compare the coverage under each plan with your Shiba Inu’s specific health concerns.
  • Research what illnesses are prevalent in your dog’s breed and pick your plan accordingly (Use our table above for the most common Shiba Inu health issues).
  • Speak with your veterinarian about your dog’s aging health concerns.
  • Pick a plan based on the right cost and coverage benefits, not price alone.
  • Obtain at least three quotes based on the information you provide about your Shiba Inu’s age, health, gender, and needs.
  • The earlier you sign your Shiba Inu for pet insurance, typically means lower the monthly premiums.
  •  Evaluate and pick the monthly premium, deductibles, and reimbursement amount that best fits your needs.
  • Narrow down your choices with our recommended top 3 providers.

Should I Get Shiba Inu Pet Insurance?

Shiba Inu owners should consider purchasing pet insurance. The right coverage can protect against unexpected vet bills and ensure that their pet receives the best care. It is critical to select a policy that provides comprehensive coverage at an affordable price and has a good reputation.

Shiba Inu owners can find the best policy by researching and comparing options. Pet insurance can give owners peace of mind, given the breed’s health tendencies. It is a wise decision for all pet owners, especially for Shiba Inu. Investing in insurance can ensure that your pet receives the best care, even if they suffer from an unexpected illness.


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Canine Bible uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

[1] USA Today, [2] Value Penguin, [3] Washington Post, [4] Healthy Paws Report [5] CNBC

Editorial Team at Canine Bible | + posts

Canine Bible authorship represents the unified voice of our entire editorial team and our in-house veterinarians rather than a single author. Each article, blog post, and review published under the Canine Bible name undergoes a rigorous review process, involving all team members to guarantee accuracy and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. This collaborative effort is an integral part of our editorial process and aligns with our four pillars of content creation. This approach ensures our content is backed by expert knowledge and factual information, offering our readers reliable, actionable, and trustworthy content.

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