Shih Tzu Insurance in Australia

By Jay Fan · Pet Insurance Analyst · Updated July 5, 2026 · About the author

Why Shih Tzus are expensive to insure

Shih Tzus are brachycephalic, meaning they have flat faces with shortened airways. This single trait drives up insurance costs because it correlates with a long list of health problems. Breathing difficulties, eye injuries, skin fold infections, and spinal issues all appear more frequently in flat-faced breeds.

Most Australian insurers do not explicitly exclude brachycephalic breeds, but they price the risk into the premium. A Shih Tzu puppy might cost $30 a month on a basic accident-only policy. Comprehensive cover with dental and hereditary condition protection runs closer to $55 a month.

The good news is Shih Tzus live a long time. With proper care, many reach 15 or even 18 years. That makes lifetime cover a smart choice because you spread the cost over many years and lock in coverage for ongoing conditions like allergies or dry eye that develop over time.

Common health issues in Shih Tzus

Shih Tzus face more health problems than the average dog, mainly because of their skull shape. Here is what you need to know about the conditions that drive claims.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). The flat face means narrowed nostrils, an elongated soft palate, and a small trachea. Signs include snorting, exercise intolerance, and collapse in hot weather. Severe cases require surgery costing $2,000 to $5,000.

Eye problems. Shih Tzus have shallow eye sockets, so their eyes bulge. This makes them prone to proptosis (the eye pops out of the socket), corneal ulcers, dry eye, and cherry eye. Eye surgery can cost $1,500 to $4,000 and is often an emergency.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). Their long back and short legs put Shih Tzus at risk for disc problems. Symptoms include back pain, wobbling, and paralysis. Surgery costs $4,000 to $8,000. Insurance that covers spinal conditions is essential.

Skin allergies and ear infections. Shih Tzus have sensitive skin and floppy ears that trap moisture. Recurring ear infections and skin allergies are common and require ongoing treatment.

Puppy versus adult Shih Tzu insurance

If you bring home a Shih Tzu puppy, insure it immediately. The first vet visit is when conditions like heart murmurs, eye abnormalities, or patellar issues get noted. Once noted, they become pre-existing and may never be covered.

For an adult Shih Tzu, insurance is still worth getting but expect more exclusions. Ask the breeder or rescue for the medical history before you apply. Some insurers offer policies with fewer exclusions if the dog has been symptom-free for a period (usually 12 months).

Bow Wow Meow and RSPCA Pet Insurance are two providers that cover hereditary conditions common in Shih Tzus without breed-specific exclusions, which makes them strong candidates.

Three providers worth looking at

What to do right now

If you own a Shih Tzu: get a quote from three providers. Check whether brachycephalic conditions like BOAS are covered. Ask specifically about eye proptosis and spinal surgery. Read the PDS before you commit.

If you are still looking for a Shih Tzu puppy: find a breeder who screens for eye and spinal issues. A healthy puppy from a responsible breeder is cheaper to insure than one from a backyard operation with unknown lineage.

Grooming costs and how they affect insurance

Shih Tzus have a long, flowing double coat that requires daily brushing and professional grooming every four to six weeks. A full grooming session — including wash, blow-dry, trimming, and nail clipping — costs $60 to $100 per visit. Over a year, that is $600 to $1,200 in grooming alone, and none of this is covered by pet insurance.

However, grooming-related health issues can be covered. If matted fur leads to skin infections, the vet treatment for the infection is an illness claim. If your Shih Tzu develops hot spots under its coat that require medication, those costs fall under your illness cover. The key distinction is that maintenance grooming is your responsibility, but the medical consequences of neglected grooming are insurable events. Keeping your Shih Tzu well-groomed is both a health measure and a way to avoid claims that increase your renewal premium.

Some insurers offer routine care add-ons that include a small grooming or wellness benefit — typically $30 to $50 per year. This barely makes a dent in actual grooming costs. You are better off budgeting for grooming separately and focusing your insurance dollars on comprehensive illness and accident cover.

Senior Shih Tzu care and insurance considerations

Shih Tzus are one of the longest-living breeds, often reaching 15 to 18 years. This longevity is wonderful, but it means you will be managing age-related conditions for a significant portion of your dog's life. Arthritis, dental disease, vision loss, and kidney issues become increasingly common after age 10. A Shih Tzu that has been insured since puppyhood on a lifetime policy will have these conditions covered as they emerge. A Shih Tzu insured for the first time at age 12 will face extensive pre-existing condition exclusions.

The cost of senior Shih Tzu care without insurance is substantial. Arthritis management with monthly injections like Beransa or monthly Librela costs $80 to $120 per month. Dental extractions for senior dogs with advanced periodontal disease can cost $800 to $2,000. Regular blood work to monitor kidney and liver function costs $150 to $300 per panel and becomes necessary every six to twelve months for senior dogs. These predictable costs make a strong case for maintaining lifetime cover throughout your Shih Tzu's life rather than letting the policy lapse.

If you are adopting a senior Shih Tzu, look for insurers that offer policies for older pets without blanket exclusions. Some providers cap the age of new enrolments at 8 or 9 years, but others accept pets of any age. The premium will be higher — expect $55 to $80 per month for a 10-year-old Shih Tzu — but the protection against catastrophic costs like emergency spinal surgery remains worthwhile.

Comparing annual versus lifetime cover for Shih Tzus

Given the Shih Tzu's long lifespan and predisposition to chronic conditions, lifetime cover is almost always the better choice for this breed. The math is straightforward: a Shih Tzu insured from puppyhood at $35 per month for 15 years pays $6,300 in lifetime premiums. If that dog develops just one chronic condition requiring $1,000 per year in treatment from age 8 onward, that is $7,000 in treatment costs. Lifetime cover pays 80% of that, or $5,600. The annual policy holder pays the full $7,000 out of pocket after the condition is excluded at the first renewal.

The premium difference between annual and lifetime cover for a Shih Tzu is usually $5 to $10 per month. Over 15 years, that is $900 to $1,800 in extra premiums for the certainty that ongoing conditions remain covered. For a breed that commonly develops dry eye, allergies, dental disease, and spinal issues — all chronic conditions — that premium difference is a bargain.