The Best Pet Insurance for Chihuahuas in 2025
Pets Best, Pumpkin, and AKC top our picks of the best pet insurance companies for Chihuahuas, based on our analysis of more than 250,000 pet insurance quotes.
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Edited byNick Versaw
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Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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Reviewed byJohn Leach
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John LeachLicensed Insurance Agent
John Leach is a licensed insurance agent who reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com. John has several years of experience reviewing and editing various insurance topics, and he also holds a valid personal lines producer license from the California Department of Insurance (NPN #20461358).
He’s also an alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics.
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In This Article
Chihuahua parents already know their pets pack big personalities into their little bodies. After all, their big, expressive eyes and upright ears add to the Chihuahua’s charm.
But these compact dogs can also be prone to some breed-specific health issues, like heart disease, eye problems, and loose kneecaps (patellar luxation).[1] Pet insurance can help cover the cost of emergency vet care and preventive treatments for Chihuahuas.
On average, Chihuahua insurance costs $36 per month, according to Compare.com data. But what you’ll actually pay depends on your dog’s age, where you live, and the coverage you choose.
To help identify the best pet insurance for Chihuahuas, we analyzed thousands of quotes and reviewed more than a dozen top pet insurers. Here’s what we learned.
Key Takeaways
Pets Best, our choice for overall best pet insurance for Chihuahuas, has an average rate of $16 per month.
Pets Best and Spot are the cheapest pet insurers for Chihuahuas in the U.S.
Chihuahuas are among the longest-lived dog breeds, with a life expectancy of 14–16 years.
The Best Pet Insurance Companies for Chihuahuas
Small but mighty, Chihuahuas have unique breed traits and congenital health risks. It’s important to choose a pet insurance company with coverage and features that are a good fit for your Chi.
Here are our top choices for the best pet insurance companies for Chihuahuas.
Pets Best: Best overall for Chihuahuas
Average premium: $16 per month
Pros
No upper age limit for enrollment
Acupuncture care coverage available
Unlimited coverage option available
Cons
No 100% reimbursement option
No coverage for pre-existing conditions
Doesn’t cover behavioral conditions
Pets Best’s highly customizable plans and unlimited coverage option put it at the top of our list for best pet insurance for Chihuahuas. Plus, Pets Best has no upper age limit for enrollment.
Reimbursement rates range from 70% to 90%, and the company offers coverage limits of $5,000 and $10,000. Depending on the plan you choose, you can get coverage for exam fees and therapies like acupuncture.
Plus, Pets Best has some of the lowest rates for Chihuahuas, according to our data.
Pumpkin: Best for Chihuahuas with attitude
Average premium: $55 per month
Pros
Covers behavioral issues and dental illnesses
Includes an optional wellness package
No upper age limit for coverage
Cons
Higher premiums than some competitors
Preventive care available only as add-on
14-day waiting period for illnesses
Just like other breeds, Chihuahuas can develop separation anxiety, aggression, and other behavioral issues. Pumpkin’s accident and illness plans cover some things other companies exclude, including behavioral issues. It also covers tooth extractions and prescription food for covered conditions.
The company also offers an optional wellness package. But Pumpkin’s rates are higher than many competitors, according to our data.
AKC: Best for highly customizable policies
Average premium: Not available
Pros
Optional coverage for hereditary, congenital, and chronic illnesses
Coverage for pre-existing conditions after 365 days
Offers a discount for insuring multiple pets
Cons
No illness coverage available for senior pets
Limits coverage for some repeat illnesses and injuries
Poorly rated claims experience
AKC Pet Insurance offers a basic accident and illness plan for pets younger than 9 years old. You can customize the policy by choosing a deductible, a co-insurance amount, and coverage limits.
AKC also offers multiple optional coverages that help pay for preventive care, final expenses, exam fees, alternative therapies, and congenital and inherited conditions. But pets 9 and older can only get an AKC accident-only policy.
Figo: Best for senior Chihuahuas
Average premium: $35 per month
Pros
No upper age limit for new policies
Multiple reimbursement and deductible options
24/7 virtual vet visits included
Cons
No coverage for pre-existing conditions
Many negative customer reviews about claims
No coverage for prescription food
While some insurers won’t enroll older pets getting insured for the first time, Figo has no upper age limits on enrollment. The company offers reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, and 90%, and you can choose unlimited coverage, and deductibles range from $100 to $750.
Optional add-ons include coverage for vet exam fees and wellness plans.
ASPCA: Best for Chihuahuas with four-legged siblings
Average premium: $27 per month
Pros
10% discount for each additional pet
Pays for alternative therapies
Covers hereditary and congenital issues
Cons
Won’t cover pre-existing conditions
No coverage for prescription food
Must call to get a quote for unlimited coverage
ASPCA Pet Insurance offers customizable plans that cover accidents, hereditary and congenital issues, other illnesses, and even some preventive care. But the company stands out for its 10% discount for each additional pet you insure with ASPCA coverage.
With ASPCA, you can choose your deductible, reimbursement rate from 70% to 80%, coverage limits, and add-ons.
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The Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies for Chihuahuas
Pet insurance costs can vary widely based on factors like your dog’s age, its health, and where you live. The type of plan you choose will also affect your pet insurance premiums. Generally, comprehensive accident and illness policies cost more than accident-only plans. And adding wellness coverage will increase costs even more.
To help you narrow things down, we’ve rounded up several pet insurance companies that offer coverage for Chihuahuas.
Here’s a look at the cheapest pet insurance companies for Chihuahuas, according to our data.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, June 5 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Company  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Pets Best | $16 |
| Lemonade | $20 |
| Spot | $22 |
| ASPCA | $27 |
| Healthy Paws | $33 |
| Figo | $35 |
| Prudent Pet | $49 |
| Pumpkin | $55 |
| Fetch Pet | $56 |
What Pet Insurance Covers for Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas are prone to a few hereditary and breed-specific health problems that can lead to hefty vet bills. But the good news is that most pet insurance plans cover accidents and illnesses, including many of the conditions common in Chihuahuas — as long as they aren’t pre-existing when you enroll.
Here’s a look at a few health issues that can affect Chihuahuas and how much they could cost to treat:
Condition | Typical Cost to Treat | Covered by Pet Insurance? |
|---|---|---|
| Patellar luxation | $1,000–$3,000 per knee | Yes, if not pre-existing |
| Tracheal collapse | $5,000–$6,000 (for a tracheal stent) | Yes, if not pre-existing |
| Dental/periodontal disease | $113–$750 (dental cleaning, extractions) | No (but may be available as an add on coverage) |
| Hydrocephalus | $4,000–$10,000 (surgical treatment) | Yes, if not pre-existing |
| Cataracts | $2,700–$4,000 | Yes, if not pre-existing |
| Broken bone (accident) | $100–$300 (for splints) | Yes |
| Yearly checkup | $25–$186 | No (but may cover with a wellness add-on) |
While Chihuahuas are generally healthy little dogs, they have a genetic predisposition to conditions like mitral valve disease, eye diseases, and epilepsy.[1] Most comprehensive pet insurance plans cover these types of hereditary issues, but only if your dog hasn’t shown symptoms or been diagnosed before your policy kicks in.
What pet insurance won’t cover for Chihuahuas
Even the most comprehensive pet insurance policies have exclusions — conditions that the policy won’t cover. Generally, a pet insurance policy for your Chihuahua won’t cover things like:
Pre-existing conditions: If a vet diagnosed your pup with any condition or your Chi showed symptoms of a condition before your policy started, your insurance likely won’t cover it. Some insurers make exceptions for curable pre-existing conditions, but pets must typically be symptom-free and not need treatment for 12 months before insurance will cover it.
Routine care: Most accident and illness policies will cover emergency vet care, but not routine treatments like annual checkups and vaccinations. But many insurers offer optional wellness plans that you can add to your policy for an additional premium.
Preventable diseases: If you decide to not vaccinate your pet and it develops a disease the vaccine would have prevented, pet insurance generally won’t cover the treatment of it.[2]
Exam fees: Depending on your policy, your pet insurer may not pay for vet exam fees to diagnose an illness or injury. But some insurance companies do, so it’s a good idea to shop around.
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Other Coverages to Consider for Your Chihuahua
Most pet insurance policies cover accidents and illnesses, but they don’t include routine care unless you add it on. That’s where wellness plans come in. They’re especially helpful for a breed like the Chihuahua.
A wellness or routine care add-on helps cover the cost of preventive care, including annual checkups, vaccinations, dental cleanings, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, and routine blood work.
Standard accident and illness policies typically don’t cover these types of services. But preventive care can go a long way in keeping your Chihuahua healthy and catching problems before they turn into expensive treatments.
Some wellness plans even reimburse you for things like spaying or neutering, microchipping, and behavioral exams, depending on the insurer and coverage tier you choose.
How to Find the Right Pet Insurance for Chihuahuas
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Shopping for pet insurance for your Chihuahua isn’t just about picking the cheapest plan. It’s about finding the right mix of coverage, cost, and protection for your pup’s unique needs.
Start by comparing what each plan includes, how much it costs each month, and how it handles deductibles, reimbursement rates, and payout limits. Since Chihuahuas are more likely to develop certain hereditary and chronic conditions, make sure the policy covers breed-specific issues and doesn’t exclude congenital conditions.
Also, review each company’s waiting periods and exclusions. These details vary between insurers and can affect when coverage starts for things like illnesses or knee injuries.
Factors to consider when shopping for pet insurance
As you’re choosing pet insurance for your Chihuahua, here are the plan features to consider. These affect both your monthly premium and your out-of-pocket costs:
Deductible: This is what you’ll pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Deductibles typically range from $100 to $1,000 and can be annual or per-condition. A higher deductible lowers your premium but increases your out-of-pocket costs when you file a claim. A lower deductible gives you more immediate coverage when you file a claim, but also means you’ll pay a higher monthly premium.
Reimbursement rate: This is the percentage of each vet bill your insurer pays for after your deductible. Most plans let you choose between 70%, 80%, and 90%, but some offer 100% reimbursement. A higher rate means you’ll pay less per claim, but your premium will be a bit higher.
Payout limit: This is the maximum amount your insurer will reimburse each year, per condition, or over your pet’s lifetime. Some plans offer unlimited payouts, while others cap coverage. Higher limits mean more protection in case of a serious injury or illness, but they also raise your monthly cost.
Waiting periods: Most pet insurance policies have waiting periods before the policy starts paying for care. But waiting periods can vary widely, and some insurers have different waiting periods for different conditions. For example, an insurer may have a 14-day waiting period for accidents and new illnesses but a 30-day waiting period for certain orthopedic conditions.
Once you’ve compared these features across a few companies, read through the policy details and compare quotes to see what fits your budget. Choosing the right coverage now can help you avoid tough financial decisions later and ensure your Chihuahua gets the care it needs when it matters most.
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How Your Chihuahua’s Age Affects Pet Insurance Premiums
With proper care, nutrition, and exercise, your Chihuahua can have a long life ahead of it. Still, it’s always a good idea to insure your pup as early as possible. But if you’ve adopted a senior dog or had to wait to buy insurance, it’s important to understand how age might affect your choice of insurance company and policy.
Insurers usually group dogs into life stages — puppy, adult, and senior — and charge premiums based on the likelihood of health issues at each stage. And some insurers have age limits for new enrollment.
Puppies are typically the cheapest to insure. This is largely because they’re less likely to have pre-existing or chronic conditions. Adult Chihuahuas cost more because the chance of hereditary or breed-specific health problems increases with age.
But senior dogs are the most expensive to cover. At this stage, insurers know there’s a higher risk of chronic illness, orthopedic issues, and other costly conditions. And some insurers may limit coverage or deny new policies altogether.
Here’s a look at how average monthly premiums change as your Chihuahua moves through different life stages, according to Compare.com data.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, June 5 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Average Monthly Premium: Young Chihuahuas | Average Monthly Premium: Adult Chihuahuas | Average Monthly Premium: Senior Chihuahuas |
|---|---|---|
| $33 | $38 | $87 |
How Your Chihuahua’s Location Affects Pet Insurance
Where you live can have just as much effect on your Chihuahua’s pet insurance premium as age or health. That’s because insurance companies base their rates partly on your area’s local veterinary costs, claim frequency, and state regulations.
If you live in a high-cost area — like a major city or coastal state — expect to pay more for coverage since vet care in these regions tends to be more expensive. But if you’re in a rural area or a state with lower living costs, you’ll likely pay less for the same coverage.
Insurers also consider factors like local claim trends, environmental risks, access to specialist vets, and state insurance rules.
In other words, two Chihuahua owners with the same plan could pay very different monthly premiums depending on where they live.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at how average monthly premiums for Chihuahuas can vary by state, according to Compare.com data.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, June 5 at 12:00 PM PDT.
State | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | $20 |
| Montana | $21 |
| Texas | $26 |
| Alabama | $27 |
| Washington D.C. | $27 |
| Mississippi | $27 |
| West Virginia | $27 |
| Louisiana | $28 |
| Ohio | $30 |
| South Carolina | $31 |
| Oklahoma | $31 |
| Missouri | $32 |
| North Carolina | $32 |
| Nebraska | $32 |
| Iowa | $33 |
| Kentucky | $33 |
| Pennsylvania | $34 |
| Florida | $35 |
| Georgia | $35 |
| New Mexico | $35 |
| Tennessee | $35 |
| Utah | $35 |
| Virginia | $35 |
| Wisconsin | $36 |
| Connecticut | $37 |
| Maryland | $37 |
| Minnesota | $37 |
| Arizona | $38 |
| Colorado | $38 |
| Illinois | $38 |
| Indiana | $38 |
| Rhode Island | $38 |
| Michigan | $39 |
| Idaho | $40 |
| Kansas | $40 |
| New Jersey | $40 |
| Washington | $41 |
| Massachusetts | $42 |
| Nevada | $42 |
| California | $43 |
| Oregon | $46 |
| Hawaii | $47 |
| New York | $48 |
| Maine | $49 |
| New Hampshire | $49 |
| Alaska | $59 |
| Wyoming | $64 |
| South Dakota | $79 |
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Chihuahua Pet Insurance FAQs
Clever, adaptable, and loyal, Chihuahuas have been charming pet parents for hundreds of years. Ensuring your Chi receives healthcare when it needs it can ensure it lives a long, healthy life.
Here’s some more information to consider as you look for the best pet insurance for your Chihuahua.
How much does pet insurance for a Chihuahua cost?
Pet insurance for Chihuahuas typically costs about $36 per month, according to Compare.com data. But what you pay largely depends on your dog’s age, your location, and the coverage you choose.
For example, puppies and younger dogs usually cost less to insure, while senior Chihuahuas may see significantly higher premiums. Location also plays a role — premiums tend to be higher in cities and states with above-average vet costs.
Is it worth getting pet insurance for a Chihuahua?
Yes, pet insurance can be a smart way to manage unexpected veterinary costs, especially since Chihuahuas are prone to hereditary conditions like dental disease, patellar luxation, and heart problems. Even a single emergency visit can cost more than an entire year’s worth of premiums.
What does pet insurance cover for a Chihuahua?
Most pet insurance plans cover accidents and illnesses, including many of the breed-specific issues common in Chihuahuas — as long as the condition isn’t pre-existing when you enroll. Covered services often include diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization, and prescription medication. You can also add a wellness plan to cover routine care like vaccinations, dental cleanings, and heartworm prevention.
Does pet insurance cover hereditary or congenital conditions?
Generally, yes. Most comprehensive pet insurance plans cover hereditary and congenital conditions as long as your dog hasn’t shown symptoms or been diagnosed before your policy starts. This makes early enrollment important if you want coverage for genetic issues common in the breed.
Can you get pet insurance for an older Chihuahua?
Yes. You can still get pet insurance for a senior Chihuahua, but your options may be more limited. Many insurers have upper age limits for new policies, often around 10–14 years old. And premiums for senior dogs are significantly higher due to the increased risk of illness. Some policies may also exclude certain age-related conditions, so it’s best to enroll while your dog is younger and healthy.
Does pet insurance cover dental care for Chihuahuas?
It depends. Most accident and illness plans will cover dental emergencies due to an accident. Some plans include dental illness coverage, but insurers generally cover routine dental cleanings only if you add a wellness plan to your policy. This is especially important for Chihuahuas, which are prone to dental disease due to their small mouths and crowded teeth.
We analyzed more than 250,000 pet insurance quotes from our proprietary database — sourced by Fletch Insurance Services LLC (“Fletch”) — to determine the premium prices displayed on this page. Our network of eight-plus partner insurance companies provided these quotes, spanning all 50 states and Washington, D.C. (Note: Lemonade offers pet insurance in 39 states and Washington, D.C.)
Unless otherwise specified, our premium prices represent one-year rolling medians to account for market volatility due to factors like rising veterinary care costs and increased pet ownership.
Breed-level pricing includes purebred dogs and cats. We base our estimates for domestic or mixed breeds on average cost data. To ensure data reliability, we applied minimum quote thresholds for both dogs and cats.
We grouped pets into three age brackets:
Young: Younger than 12 months
Adult: 12 months to 7 years
Senior: Older than 7 years but younger than 16 years*
*Some insurance providers don’t offer coverage for pets older than 16.
Coverage Limits
Dog premium averages reflect policies with annual coverage limits of $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, or unlimited.
Cat premium averages reflect policies with annual coverage limits of $2,500, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, or unlimited.
For both dogs and cats, monthly premiums are segmented by:
Deductible options: $250, $500, $1,000
Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, 90%
Sources
- American Kennel Club. "Chihuahua."
- Pumpkin Pet Insurance. "10 Common Types of Exclusions in Pet Insurance."
