From their irresistible wrinkled faces and bat ears to their playful antics, French Bulldogs steal our hearts every day. But with great cuteness comes great responsibility.
French Bulldog pet insurance can help Frenchie human parents rest easy knowing that their furry family member is protected from unexpected accidents and illnesses.
In this article we’ll dig into what pet insurance covers, and the benefits it could offer your Frenchie (and your wallet) throughout their life.
Here’s what we’ll discuss:
- Why your French Bulldog needs pet insurance
- Pet insurance plans for French Bulldogs, offered by Lemonade
- How much pet insurance costs for Frenchies
- Common health issues that French Bulldogs face
- Why pet insurance for your Frenchie is worth it
TL;DR
- Because of French Bulldogs’ unique genetic makeup, they’re prone to certain health conditions such as Brachycephalic airway syndrome, hip dysplasia, and cherry eye.
- Lemonade Pet offers tailored pet insurance plans that cater to the specific needs of French Bulldogs, helping take a bite out of your Frenchie’s vet bills.
- Enrolling your Frenchie in an insurance plan from a young age can help avoid complications related to pre-existing conditions in the future.
- The cost of your Frenchie’s pet insurance policy will vary depending on several factors—including your pup’s breed and age.
Why does my French Bulldog need pet insurance?
Keeping your Frenchie healthy and happy can come with some challenges. Here’s a few reasons why pet insurance is crucial:
- Breed-specific health conditions: French Bulldogs, being a brachycephalic breed, are prone to unique health issues like Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome.
- High medical costs: Specialized care for Frenchies can be expensive, and pet insurance helps cover these potentially hefty bills.
- Protection against genetic disorders: Insuring your Frenchie early in their life can help you avoid exclusions that might come with future health conditions—including breed-specific ones.
- Routine and preventive care: Some insurers offer specialized plans that cover regular check-ups and preventive treatments, helping promote your Frenchie’s overall health and well-being.
What pet insurance plans for French Bulldogs does Lemonade offer?
With Lemonade pet insurance, Frenchie parents can easily customize their policy to get the coverage their furry friend needs.
For starters, a basic Lemonade pet health insurance policy includes accident and illness coverage. This will help cover the costs of tests, treatments, and medication if your French Bulldog has an unexpected accident or illness.
A basic policy is great for the unexpected things in your fur fam’s future, but Lemonade also offers affordable preventative care packages, designed to keep your Frenchie healthy, and helps cover expenses you’re probably already paying for.
By adding a preventive care package to a Lemonade policy you’ll be covered for all types of routine care—like annual wellness exams, checkups, blood tests, several vaccinations, dental cleanings, and other routine health care for your Frenchie pup.
At Lemonade you can insure your Frenchie pup from two months old. And we know that caring for puppies isn’t cheap, so we offer a preventative care package for puppies (and kittens), to help with your early pet parent costs like spaying or neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping.
How much does pet insurance cost for Frenchies?
Well, that depends. The cost of pet insurance varies depending on several factors, including:
- The age and breed of your dog
- Where you live
- The coverages you include on your policy
You might be able to lower your monthly premium by adjusting things like your co-insurance, deductible, or annual limit—or for bundling your Lemonade Pet policy with another Lemonade policy such as Homeowners, Renters, Pet, and Life Insurance.
But the best way to get a sense for how much you’ll pay for your Frenchie’s pet insurance is to build a quote.
What are some common health issues that French Bulldogs face?
French Bulldogs, like any dog breed, can be prone to certain health issues. Due to their unique physical features and genetic predispositions, they’re more susceptible to the following problems.
Brachycephalic Syndrome
What is it?: A common issue in flat–faced breeds, including French Bulldogs. It can cause breathing difficulties due to the anatomy of their shortened snouts, which may result in narrow nostrils, an elongated soft palate, or a narrow trachea.
How much does treatment cost?: Treatment for Brachycephalic Syndrome can range from conservative management to surgical intervention. In mild cases, weight management, avoiding excessive heat and exercise, and using a harness instead of a collar may be sufficient to manage the condition. However, in moderate to severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct one or more of the abnormalities.
The cost of surgical intervention for Brachycephalic Syndrome can vary widely depending on things like how long your pup needs to be under anesthesia, the diagnostics needed, and the surgical supplies being used. Some estimates for surgical treatment are:
- Stenotic nares correction: $300–$1,000
- Elongated soft palate resection: $300–$4,500
- Everted laryngeal saccules resection: $300–$3,000
Hip Dysplasia
What is it?: A genetic condition that affects the hip joint, leading to arthritis and discomfort in the hip area. It’s crucial to maintain a healthy weight for your Frenchie to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia.
How much does treatment cost?: Treatment options for hip dysplasia can range from conservative management to surgical intervention.
- Conservative management: In mild cases or when surgery is not an option, conservative management may include weight management, physical therapy, joint supplements, pain management, and anti–inflammatory medications. The cost for conservative management can vary, but you might expect to spend between $500–$1,500 per year on medications, supplements, and physical therapy.
- Surgical intervention: In more severe cases or when conservative management is insufficient, surgery may be necessary. The cost of surgical treatment for hip dysplasia can vary widely depending on the specific procedure, ranging from $1,700 to upward of $7,000 for a total hip replacement.
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
What is it?: This condition affects the spine and can cause pain, nerve damage, and even paralysis.
How much does treatment cost?: Surgery can run $9,000, and related tests an additional $1,000—$5,000.
Other common health issues Frenchies face:
- Allergies
- Cherry eye
- Ear infections
- Obesity
- Patellar luxation
- Heart conditions
- Skin fold dermatitis
It’s true: Premiums can be higher for some breeds. But as you can see from the potential cost of medical expenses above, it could really be worth it.
Is pet insurance for my Frenchie really worth it?
Covering your French Bulldog can be a lifesaver for pet owners, especially when it comes to expensive vet bills. Like most purebred dogs, Frenchies are at higher risk of certain genetic health problems. And the cost of owning a French Bulldog, especially vet bills for major procedures, can quickly add up.
With dog insurance, you pay a monthly premium, and in return, get protection against unforeseen medical expenses.
Don’t forget the benefits of insuring your Frenchie as a puppy, so you can sidestep potential issues with pre-existing conditions. While a pup with pre-existing conditions can still have an insurance policy, the policy probably won’t cover treatments for those specific health issues.
Insurance will give you peace of mind and keep your frisky Frenchie healthy. You can get a quote from your favorite insurance company (we’re talking about Lemonade) in just a few minutes—it’s quick, simple, and even a little fun…
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
