Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans For Chinese Crested Dogs (2022)

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The Chinese Crested Dog breed comes in three varieties: Powderpuff, Hairless, and a combination of the former (often born in the same litter). “Hairless” Chinese Crested Dogs are known for their unique look: a fluffy head and tail, furry feet that almost resemble a pair of boots and a mostly hairless body. The Powderpuff Chinese Crested has more floof to it but shares the toy breed size and pointed ears. All Chinese Crested Dogs thrive on human attention, often earning the label of “lap dog.”

As great as this breed is, Chinese Crested Dogs are prone to certain medical conditions. While several of these health issues can be expensive to treat, you may be able to cover the high costs if you invest in pet insurance for your dog early.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right pet insurance plan for your beloved Chinese Crested. This guide will help you select a plan that covers everything you want it to, so you can be there for your dog when they need you most.

Compare The Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans for Your Chinese Crested Using our Free No-Obligation Quote Tool below

The simplest way to compare pet insurance prices is to use our tool below. The comparison tool will show you quotes from the top 9 pet insurance carriers, including Trupanion, Pets Best, Lemonade, ManyPets, FIGO, HealthyPaws, Prudent Pet, Spot, and Embrace pet insurance.

How Much Does Pet Insurance for a Chinese Crested Dog Cost?

Below are some sample pet insurance plans for a 1-year-old male Chinese Crested using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example.

• Pets Best – $30.28 per month
• Embrace – $25.37 per month
• Healthy Paws – $25.32 per month
• ManyPets – $27.69 per month

Ultimately, your plan’s premium will depend on several factors, including your dog’s age, size, and breed, as well as where you live. You also want to know what type of coverage your plan has and if it will help with Chinese Crested-specific health problems. Let’s get more into those medical conditions and how much you can expect to pay to treat them.

Common Health Problems Associated With Chinese Crested Dogs

Patellar Luxation in Chinese Crested Dogs

The most common orthopedic condition for small dogs like the Chinese Crested, patellar luxation occurs when the knee is dislocated. Some affected dogs will have a minor limp, while others may become immobile. Uncorrected, patellar luxation can lead to arthritis and mobility problems later in your dog’s life.

Weather Sensitivity in Chinese Crested Dogs

Since the majority of Chinese Crested Dogs are largely hairless, they’re prone to sunburn with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and hypothermia in extremely cold temperatures. Depending on where you live, Chinese Cresteds need sweaters/jackets to protect them from the cold, and they’ll also need a cover-up and/or sunscreen on sunny days.

The worst consequence of easily acquired sunburns is an increased risk for skin cancer. Sunburns may also cause your dog to scratch their skin aggressively, and if in pain, they’ll be resistant to being touched. Most sunburns heal in time (cold compresses help, too), but severe burns can make your dog dehydrated, which can have other consequences.

Mild hypothermia begins to set in when a dog’s body temperature drops below 99 degrees Fahrenheit. If hypothermia progresses, the chemical reactions necessary for normal body functions might slow down or even stop, which could kill them. Dogs with severe hypothermia will have slow or erratic heart rates and act lethargic or even unresponsive.

Dogs with hypothermia should be warmed slowly – do NOT use a heating blanket as the heat can cause burns, and sudden blood flow to the skin can worsen shock.

RELATED: What Causes Low Body Temperature In Dogs?

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease in Chinese Crested Dogs

A common genetic condition in small dogs like the Chinese Crested Dog, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease affects the dog’s hip joint. This degenerative disease of the femur leads to eventual hip collapse. It may start as a limp, but it could lead to arthritis or even paralysis.

If your dog is prone to this condition, which might require pricey surgery, investing in pet insurance for your pup early will save you a lot later.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (“Dry Eye”) in Chinese Crested Dogs

This condition essentially boils down to “your dog’s eyes don’t produce enough tears.” Now here’s the more scientific version of that. There are two types of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS): quantitative and qualitative.

Quantitative KCS is a lack of production of the aqueous layer of the tear film attached to the cornea. Qualitative KCS is a decrease in the mucin or oily layers that help the tear film remain attached to the cornea.

Either type of tear deficiency will result in dryness of the corneal surface. Chronic, untreated dry eye can lead to corneal scarring, ulceration (open sores), or pigmentation (color change). Some dogs might develop secondary bacterial conjunctivitis. In a worst-case scenario, they could lose an eye.

Signs of KCS include red eyes and a thick, mucusy discharge.

Typical Costs Of Treating Health Issues In Chinese Crested Dogs and How Pet Insurance Can Help

If left untreated, many of the health conditions listed above can result in long-term consequences and even require surgery, ultimately making them more expensive to manage. Selecting a pet insurance plan suited for your Chinese Crested’s particular needs might save you tons of money on medical costs.

Here are just some sample veterinary expenses for Chinese Crested Dogs:

• Patellar Luxation Costs: Treatment for patellar luxation depends on the “grade” of dislocation. If it’s Grade 2 and above, surgery may be needed to correct the issue. That orthopedic surgery could cost thousands of dollars ($1,000-$5,000 on average.) Pet insurance often makes a huge difference in covering these expenses.
• Weather-Related Injury/Illness Costs: Most sunburns can be treated/healed without visiting the vet. If your Chinese Crested Dog develops skin cancer, the cost of treatment can become extraordinarily high (averaging $3,000-$10,000) depending on how advanced the cancer is. Mild hypothermia can be treated at home, but severe hypothermia will require IV fluids. If your dog needs to remain at the veterinarian overnight for monitoring while receiving fluids, it could cost around $1,200. Weather-related injuries and illness are something you’d want your Chinese Crested’s pet insurance to cover in particular.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease Costs: Diagnosis will require X-rays which cost hundreds of dollars alone. Surgical treatment may be necessary to remove the femoral head or even replace your dog’s hip. If your dog needs surgery, it will cost $1,000 to $4,000 on average. There are non-surgical treatment options for less severe cases, including strict bed rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and joint supplements.
• KCS (“Dry Eye”) Costs: Medical management to stimulate tear production and reduce inflammation involves several medications (primarily in eye drop form). These drugs could cost around $50 per month, and you’ll need to apply the medications for the rest of your dog’s life. In severe cases, a surgical procedure called a parotid duct transposition might be necessary. This costs over $1,000, and the procedure is uncommon.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of these conditions common in Chinese Crested Dogs can help you catch them early, saving your dog and your money. When in doubt, take your pup to the vet to have them diagnosed.

What Is Pet Health Insurance And Why Do I Need It For My Chinese Crested?

Pet health insurance works very similarly to human health insurance. Your policy quote will range in monthly price, depending on your dog’s breed, age, and where you live. Typically, you’ll spend around $15-$66 per month as a pet parent.

Pet insurance is mainly about peace of mind, knowing you won’t be totally overwhelmed in case of an emergency. Enrolling even when your dog is young and healthy will ensure you have plenty of coverage when they need expensive medical care later. If you choose a plan more suited to your dog’s particular breed, you’ll be more prepared when something happens later on in their life.

Some plans cover accidents and illnesses, while others only cover accidents. Certain plans do cover breed-specific illnesses, and others do not. It all depends on what type of coverage you choose. With our free pet insurance comparison tool, you can get quotes from multiple insurance companies with no obligation to commit.

Whatever plan you choose, you’ll feel better knowing you can take care of your dog when they need you most. Plus, you won’t have to suddenly shell out thousands of dollars. Learn more about how pet insurance works here.

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