• Why Does My French Bulldog Need Pet Insurance?
• What Are the Common Frenchie Health Issues You Should Expect to Face?
• How Much is French Bulldog Pet Insurance?
• What Is Pet Insurance?
• How Does Pet Insurance Work?
• What a Pet Insurance Company Will Cover
• What a Pet Insurance Company Won’t Cover
• How to Find the Best Pet Insurance for Your French Bulldog
• Breakdown of the Best Pet Insurance for French Bulldogs

 

There are no 2 ways about it. Frenchies are one of the world’s most high-maintenance breeds. Period. I had somebody tell me once that if you don’t have an extra $10,000 sitting around for when a medical emergency shows up, then I should consider a different breed of dog. I’ve got to say that comment is not far from the mark. And this is where pet insurance is an attractive option because, at some point in their life, your Frenchie will need it.

Why Does My French Bulldog Need Pet Insurance?

There are many stories I have heard of owners who neglected to get insurance, thinking their dog would be that “magical unicorn” who would never get any issues. A few years later, those same owners are pleading on social media to SAVE MY DOG via a go fund me page because the “unexpected”  bill was unaffordable for them.


This is the main reason the majority of French Bulldogs in rescue shelters are there, because of common health issues the owners couldn’t afford, like:

•  IVDD
• Untreated massive tumors
• botched C-sections
• extreme allergies
• dry eye / blindness
• tiny Merle puppies born with cleft palates / no eyes / etc

 It breaks my heart that so many people buy dogs without doing the proper research into the breed and then give them up because they can’t afford to keep them.

That’s why I and all the other owners I know would tell you every time that pet insurance is a part of owning a French Bulldog. If you can’t afford it, choose another breed of dog. It’s sad but true.

So how do you choose the right insurance? 

When I adopted Pinto, I did A LOT of research on pet insurance and monthly premium comparisons and ended up with PetsBest.

I’ve got to say I found that all the quotes were around the same when I added in the options I wanted (low deductible, high annual limit w/ 90% payout amount, wellness benefits, etc).

But while PetsBest was right for me, it isn’t the only provider and might not be the best option for you. 

 To properly make your informed decision on what type of pet insurance to choose for your own dog, it’s best to first understand the needs your dog will have, what to expect cost-wise, and the estimated range of these cost with each pet insurance. Then, I am going to do a breakdown of some of the most popular and top pet insurance companies so you can make an informed decision on what’s best for you and your dog.

What Are the Common Frenchie Health Issues You Should Expect to Face? 

While I only mentioned a few health concerns above, as a French bulldog owner, you should expect more than 20 different health conditions and be ready to face them. Of those, some of the most prominent are the following: 

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

This dog breed is a “brachycephalic” breed, which just means it’s got a short head. It is a genetic health issue, as this trait was bred for over generations within the breed. 

Unfortunately, together with that there came health problems such as issues with the Frenchie’s nostrils and windpipe. This makes it difficult for your pup to breathe. It’s corrected by surgery. BOAS surgery cost varies from country to country and in the specifics of what your dog requires (how extensive, the method, etc). However, you can expect anything from $1000 to $8000, depending on the clinic, the methodology, and the severity of the issue.

Allergies and Various Skin Issues

The very things that make your dogs so cute are also the things that make them susceptible to many allergies and a higher skin sensitivity: their skin and tail folds. And while regularly and carefully cleaning the skin folds will help mitigate some of the issues, French bulldogs are genetically more prone to allergies that often present as skin issues. Expect such problems to occur in the paws, ears, and belly as well as their skin folds. 

Battling your dog’s allergies is a lengthy and costly process. From managing to properly detect what your dog is allergic to and accordingly adjust their food to battling the symptoms, costs easily stack up. Any modest estimation brings the cost upwards of $1000 in this prolonged, perpetual fight.

Eye infections and issues

Problems with their eyes are unfortunately very common with French bulldogs, exactly because their snouts are short, which makes their eyes more exposed and vulnerable to threats than other dogs. There can be a variety of different issues, with the most prevalent being:

Bacterial infections from watery eyes or inflamed eyes

These infections often can be treated with antibiotics and special eye drops. You might need a trip to the vet to diagnose the exact issue and get the proper prescription if problems persist beyond the usual treatment your vet has given your dog. 

Cherry eye

 Cherry eye occurs often in all bulldog breeds because gravity pulls their loose skin downwards, exposing their eyes’ membranes. This may lead to a tiny gland ‘popping’ outwards and looking like a small cherry in the corner of your dog’s eye. This can be corrected with routine corrective surgery to get the gland back in its place. 

Corneal Ulcer

This is the most serious issue that may occur in your dog’s eyes, and it usually happens after some kind of injury to the cornea or from untreated dry eyes (i.e., if you don’t make sure your pup’s eyes are properly hydrated with eye drops). 

If left untreated, corneal ulcers can even lead to blindness, so you need to get your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you notice your dog experiencing discomfort in his/her eye (rubbing it often, keeping it closed, having discharge from it, etc). 

Cataracts

Cataracts are the hardening of the eye lenses which then become opaque instead of clear. This eventually leads to blindness. French bulldogs are genetically predisposed to getting cataracts as they age. The only treatment for cataracts is surgery.

The cost of eye issues can greatly vary depending on the severity and the type. It may simply be the cost of a trip to the vet and some eye drops (so around $100) or it may amount upwards of $1500. For cherry eye surgery or treatment of cataracts or other such issues, expect a price in the ballpark of $2000 – 2500.

There are more issues that can occur in your dog’s eyes, such as issues with their eyelids or eyelashes and more, but these are some of the costliest and most prevalent issues to give you an idea.

Hiatal Hernia

This occurs when the diaphragm in your dog isn’t fully developed. This allows the stomach to move between the abdomen and chest, causing regurgitation. Regurgitation means that food comes back up through the esophagus without that being vomiting.

This condition can even be life-threatening as it can lead to aspirational pneumonia and other serious secondary conditions. A hiatal hernia needs surgery to be corrected, which costs anything from $4000 to $8000, depending on your dog’s specific needs and condition. 

Pyloric Obstruction

This condition happens when the pylorus, the valve in the stomach that allows food to pass to the intestines, is too narrow. This condition is extremely life-threatening and dangerous because it causes extreme weight loss together with appetite loss, vitamin deficits, and a range of other problems from the simple fact that your pup can’t properly eat. Frenchies are genetically at a higher risk of being born with or developing this condition as they grow older.

Treatment of pyloric obstruction has different avenues, but, in the end, a permanent fix is only done through surgery. Surgery for the condition and supportive treatment can cost up to $5000. 

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a bone disorder that usually develops over time and tends to be genetic. It’s when the hip socket develops in such a way that it becomes loose. This causes extreme pain in your dog, and activities such as jumping or walking are severely impaired the more the disorder develops. You guessed it: French bulldogs are genetically prone to the disorder.

Hip dysplasia is treated with surgery, which can cost anything from $1500 to $2500 per hip, depending on the type of surgery and other specifics for your dog. 

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

 This is another condition to which French bulldogs are genetically prone. It can be very painful and eventually debilitating, even leading to paralysis in your dog. 

IVDD happens in your dog’s spine. The cushions between the vertebrae bulge out or burst from their proper position into the spinal cord space, pressing into nerves and muscles and causing extreme pain and eventually nerve damage and even paralysis. 

You should always keep this risk in mind, as there are things you can do to lower the chances of this condition occurring (especially keeping your dog from becoming obese and making sure the general living space lowers the risk of injuries). If it does occur, treatment often requires surgery and other supportive remedies.

The cost for the surgery alone can range from $1500 to $4000 depending on the specific parameters of your own dog’s condition, but that price can quickly stack with everything else necessary (x-rays, ICU costs, physiotherapy, etc) closer to the area of $8000 or even $9000. 

There are more conditions that might eventually require surgery, but if you are vigilant and careful of your dog’s health, there are ways to avoid going down that path. If you do, surgical costs will cost you a few thousand dollars, depending on the severity. 

Considering the costs, getting pet insurance for your French bulldog is a no-brainer. So how does that work and what should you consider to find the pet insurance that is best for you and your Frenchie?

How Much is Pet Insurance for French Bulldogs?

Different breeds of dogs will determine the insurance cost, and unluckily for us French Bulldog owners, they come in at the most expensive.

Where you live can also have an impact on the pet insurance premiums you you will pay. For example pet insurance in Connecticut is more expensive than Alabama, Arizona and Florida.

The average monthly cost for pet insurance for French bulldogs is $130, but it can range from $50 for a healthy Frenchie puppy to $170, depending on the policy and services covered. The $130 average usually includes unlimited annual coverage with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement.

What Is Pet Insurance?

Pet Insurance is a healthcare insurance policy that covers a range of veterinary costs for your dog. These can be only unexpected veterinary costs (i.e. accidents, sudden illnesses, etc) called “accident only” plans or they can be regular, preventative, and hereditary conditions veterinary costs, depending on the policy you choose. These are called “accident-illness” plans with supplemental “pet wellness” plans, which will cover everything from vaccines to regular checkups.

The most popular plans are the “accident-illness” plans that insure against the most expensive veterinary costs for any range of injuries and illnesses that your pet may get. Pre-existing conditions aren’t usually covered.

 Pre-existing conditions are any health issues diagnosed before your health insurance plan takes effect. Also, keep in mind that there is a specified waiting period that counts down from the beginning of your health insurance, during which if a condition is diagnosed, it qualifies as a pre-existing condition. What these waiting periods are depends on the type of condition and will be clearly listed in your insurance plan as they can vary from a week to 14 days or more. This is why it’s prudent to get your pet insurance as early as possible in your Frenchie’s life.

 

How Does Pet Insurance for French Bulldogs Work? 

There are certain stages in acquiring and then using Pet Insurance when you need it.

Stage 1: Choose the right policy for you

As soon as you are aware of the health risks and various genetic conditions your dog is most prone to and the lifestyle your puppy will be having with you, you are ready to begin the process of choosing the right pet insurance company for you. 

The biggest challenge is to choose the correct combination of deductibles, reimbursement limits, and payout limits alongside the list of conditions and services covered.

A deductible is the amount of money from a vet bill you are responsible for paying out of pocket before the Pet Insurance kicks in to cover the rest of the amount. 

A reimbursement limit is the percentage of the vet bill amount that the dog insurance will pay you back out of the total. The best policies reimburse 80% to 100% of the total care costs.

The payout limit is also something you should pay close attention to. It’s the actual maximum amount of money you can be reimbursed for a single event- a single accident or a single illness that occurs. So if, for example, you have a payout limit of $3000, but the surgery required costs $7000, you will be responsible for at least $4000 of the vet bill, assuming you have a 100% reimbursement limit. 

Payout limits can be per-incident as described already, or annual, meaning the payout amount stated is supposed to cover everything within a year, beyond which you are responsible for everything within that same year.

Therefore, knowing your Frenchie, the lifestyle you and your dog are leading, and possible issues you will encounter according to the breed itself, it’s extremely important to make sure you get the best coverage to ensure treatment of your furry baby is as financially worry-free as possible for you.

Stage 2: Qualify for coverage

In order for the Pet Insurance to agree to cover your dog with the plan you want, your pet must fulfill some requirements. Usually, that is age (dogs usually aren’t covered if they are younger than 8 weeks old) and an overview of your dog’s health history up to then so pre-existing conditions can be specifically noted.

 There may be other specifications too, such as where you live and other requirements so make sure to compare and contrast different policies to choose the best for you.

Stage 3: Pay your premium

The premium is the monthly fee you pay for your Pet Insurance coverage to be active.

Stage 4: File a claim and get reimbursement 

After the waiting period ends on your Pet Insurance plan, when you visit the vet or have to handle illness or an accident, you first pay the vet yourself. Then, you file a claim with your Pet Insurance provider. Make sure you have kept all the receipts and other information required for your claim to be processed quickly and successfully.

Once your claim is approved, you will receive reimbursement. Usually, you are paid by bank check or bank deposit, though having the provider pay the vet is also an option for some policies. Keep in mind that you will be paid what amount is left after the deductible is met. Claims are usually processed quickly, within 5 days to a week.

What a Pet Insurance Company Will Cover

As a rule, Pet Insurance for French bulldogs includes all veterinary costs that arise from accidents (e.g. broken bones, swallowed objects, various wounds, etc) and from illnesses (e.g. allergies, congenital diseases, various other diseases, etc). Depending on the policy, wellness and preventative care veterinary costs may also be covered.

What Pet Insurance for French Bulldogs Won’t Cover

Unless your policy specifically indicates they do cover any of the following or if you have the supplemental “pet wellness” plan, you can expect that these procedures and costs are excluded from Pet Insurance:

• pre-existing conditions
• routine wellness exams / vet visits
• preventative care
• vaccinations
• spay/neuter surgery
• pregnancy/birth
• cosmetic/elective procedures
• preventable diseases
• bilateral conditions (conditions that happen on both sides of the body) unless clearly listed in your policy as covered
• any specific exclusions listed in your plan (be sure to read the policy carefully!)

How to Find the Best Pet Insurance for Your French Bulldog 

There are many owners that swear by their dog  Insurance, just as there are others with horror stories from theirs. The difference that will make or break your experience with Pet Insurance is how well you do your own homework in selecting the policy that fits your budget and is right for your specific, very own French Bulldog.

There are things you need to calculate before you even begin to search and compare different Pet Insurance plans from various providers. 

First and foremost, consider the breed itself and its average costs, both annually and over the years. On average, estimations are that owning a French Bulldog costs anything from $1000 to $4000 a year plus any extra vet bills that may accrue as your dog ages and issues arise. Keep in mind that most medical conditions are likely to appear after your Frenchie’s first couple of years of life.

Then, you must think about your dog’s lifestyle. What are the risks involved in terms of accidents and illnesses? For example, being in the outdoors often might increase the risk of heatstroke or developing certain diseases faster. On the other hand, being indoors in a more sedentary lifestyle may increase your Frenchie’s risk of obesity, with all the risks and strains that come with that. How ready are you for preventative care for your dog, including daily practices such as cleaning the skin folds and taking care of watery eyes, or handling their dietary needs properly? These are likely to raise or lower the risk of certain illnesses occurring (but keep in mind that you might do everything perfectly and still have to deal with serious health issues anyway). 

Lastly, calculate your dog’s routine care expenses. The food, regular vet visits, annual vaccinations, etc. will have a standard cost that you can calculate to know what your out-of-pocket limits are and what you need your Pet Insurance to cover in all scenarios.

Here's a Breakdown of the Best Pet Insurance for French Bulldogs as Recommended by Owners

Though there are many aggregators superficially comparing the most popular policies of various providers, I preferred to do my own research to find the best Pet Insurance providers for my dog. These providers have been tried and tested by many French bulldog owners, and there is a general consensus that they have allowed pet parents to be solely focused on the health and well-being of their fur babies rather than worry about the steep financial costs involved.

Here is our breakdown of the best pet insurance for French bulldogs that owners have used and recommend:

           

 

                           

 

 Each of these providers offers customizable plans and promises quick turnaround in payouts as well as reliable coverage for your dog. But this may be too general, so I compiled the following table, starting with the top ranking provider according to my standards as a French bulldog owner, to better compare and contrast their different features:

Overall Rank as Best Pet Insurance for French Bulldogs Provider

INSURANCE PROVIDER	PROS	CONS	BEST PET INSURANCE FOR FRENCH BULLDOGS	USER REVIEW
	Direct vet billing, no limits, fast claims.	Higher premiums; costly for some.	1(Best Overall pet insurance for french bulldogs)	“Trupanion saved me thousands on a costly surgery – my claim was processed in just a day!”
	Reasonable premiums, $500 deductible, 80–90% fast reimbursement.	Coverage details can vary by region; be sure to read the fine print	2	“Pets Best has saved us thousands on emergencies – their reimbursement process is straightforward and efficient.”
	User-friendly app, customizable plans, fast, transparent claims.	Some routine exam or dental fees may not be covered	3	“Lemonade’s app is incredibly easy to use and I get reimbursements almost immediately after submission.”
	Comprehensive coverage with wellness benefits, for acute & chronic care.	Premiums can vary by location and may be higher with extra add-ons	4	“I chose MetLife for their complete coverage – the wellness add-ons even helped cover my pet’s spay surgery.”
	Reliable accident & illness coverage with fast reimbursements.	Less recommended, with fewer options than top providers.	5	“Fetch provided fast, reliable reimbursement during my dog’s IVDD treatment, and the process was hassle-free.”