With those squished in little faces, and stocky bodies, what’s not to love in an English Bulldog?
The investment price possibly —but for most English Bulldog lovers, we come to accept that. English Bulldogs can he an expensive dog to own in more ways than just the initial price too. My English Bulldog Noble had a variety of ailments over the course of her lifespan that made me really glad I had pet insurance that’s for sure. If you are looking for the best English Bulldog pet insurance this article will help.
Picking a good English Bulldog pet insurance was one of the first things I did after buying her from the English Bulldog breeder. I was certainly happy I did it because my Noble eventually tore both her left and right ACL ligaments in her knees requiring VERY expensive surgeries. Not to mention regular
Unfortunately, not all English Bulldog pet insurance companies are created equally. If you’re on the hunt for the best pet insurance for English Bulldogs, there’s a lot to look into before making a decision. You’re in the right place to learn more.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about protecting your Bullie’s health and wellness.
Common Health Issues With English Bulldogs To Be Aware Of
Before you add an English Bulldog to your family, it is a good ideas to research the history of English Bulldogs, breeding practices, and some of the common health problems bullies might be susceptible to. English Bulldogs, especially ones that are poorly bred, can be susceptible to an array of health issues.
Here are some of the most common issues English Bulldogs can be prone to:
- Torn ACL (this happened to my English Bulldog Noble – twice!)
- Brachycephalic Syndrome
- Allergies
- Patellar Luxation
- A Cleft Palate
- Ear infections
- Eye diseases including Cataracts, Cherry Eye, Progressive Retinol Atrophy (PRA), and Entropion
- Dry skin issues
- Hemivertibrae
- Obesity
- Bulldog Diabetes
In addition to this list, English Bulldogs also don’t do well in the heat. They are especially prone to heat intolerance and heat exhaustion. Even further, they can also suffer from allergies and skin problems. Noble went through periods of her life where she was very allergic and would lick her paws incessantly. They can also have reproductive issues—which are actually very common. If you get your Bully fixed as a pup this will be less of an issue.
There are a few ways to ensure that you’re getting a healthy English Bulldog puppy. Here are a few tips on how to get a healthy bulldog:
Get Your English Bulldog From An Established and Reputable Breeder
I would highly recommend that you do not buy an English Bulldog puppy from a pet store. A lot of the dogs found at pet stores are from “Puppy Mills” where unsafe breeding practices are often used. You certainly are at risk of bringing home an English Bulldog with some health issues. Additionally you are at risk for bringing home an unsocialized Bulldog that can be difficult to train.
The AKC has a market for finding a quality list of English Bulldog breeders that would be worth looking into.
Be Sure To Get Your English Bulldog’s Medical Paperwork
A responsible English Bulldog breeder should provide you with written documentation of their orthopedic health. There is something known as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. OFA for short. Also, the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF), and a PennHip Certification if available.
In an ideal world you get this documentation to prove that your English Bulldog’s parents had a clean medical record for hip, knee, eye, thyroid, and heart issues. In short, this documentation is proof of a clean health history and is proof-positive that the breeder is living up to the responsible code of ethics
Bring Your English Bulldog Puppy To The Veterinarian As Soon As Possible
Have your veterinarian evaluate your new English Bulldog as soon as you can. A qualified vet will be able to conduct a thorough examination, identifying any health issues right away. They can advise you on a preventative regimen and give you advice to avoid any major health issues for your Bully in the future.
Establish A Good Contract With The Dog Seller
Whether you get your English Bulldog from a decent breeder, an English Bulldog rescue organization, or even a shelter, make sure the established contract clearly spells out the responsibility for both you and the seller. This includes understanding the puppy lemon laws. Certain states offer different rights and recourses.
Understanding The Exercise And Nutritional Needs For Your English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is a small and stocky breed. They certainly aren’t built for endurance. They don’t require a lot of exercise to stay healthy. To the contrary, they’re prone to being over-exercised, which could lead to extreme exhaustion and even death if taken too far. They overheat easily on hot days so care must be taken with your Bully. Your best bet is to make sure they get about 20 minutes of exercise each day in short bursts.
A short walk is usually enough since they have such short snouts and low exercise thesholds. The short snouts of English Bulldogs prevents them from cooling down efficiently. This can of course lead to overheating or hyperventilation if you’re not mindful of your dog’s health. On top of keeping their exercise sessions controlled, you also want to avoid overdoing it during hot Summer days.
Another thing to watch out for is overfeeding your English Bulldog. They are stocky little beasts to begin with and have healthy appetites. They are prone to obesity as well so be sure to keep an eye on what your English Bulldog is eating. Make sure you stick to a good quality dog food for your English Bulldog with a low fat and carbohydrate content.
A healthy diet and exercise regimen are important aspects to keeping your Bully healthy. Consulting with your vet about what type of dog food and how much of it is best for your English Bulldog.
English Bulldogs are also a breed well known for their companionship. English Bulldogs love their people and love to be around them at all times.
Some English Bulldogs can suffer from separation anxiety. In some cases this will lead them to cause havoc around your home. While this is a behavioral issue, this constant state of stress can have severe impacts on your Bully’s overall health. Training can help with this of course.
Finding The Best Pet Insurance For English Bulldogs
A good Pet insurance for English Bulldog can provide peace of mind and take the financial burden from your bank account if an unexpected accident (like an ACL tear in the case of my English Bulldog) or health issue comes up for your bulldog. It may also be a determining factor on whether you can afford to do what is in best of your English Bulldog just in case something unexpected happens. You will ideally want to make the right choice of a pet insurance that is right for your English Bulldog. Jumping into buying a dog pet insurance plan without understanding how it works can become a financial mistake.
In order to find the best pet insurance for your English Bulldog, you will want to understand what the insurance policies cover, the monthly premium amount, what the polices don’t cover, and how deductibles are applied to any claims you submit.
Below are some considerations when looking into the best insurance for your English Bulldog:
Enrollment Rules For That Insurance Company
Most pet insurance companies will provide coverage for the life of your dog. Note that some insurance companies won’t insure an English Bulldog that is too young or even too old. Many pet insurance companies also mandate that you have your dog examined by a veterinarian as part of the enrollment process so that is to be expected.
You should also note that there are waiting periods when trying to enroll into a program. There could be multiple days or even weeks before your policy becomes effective for your English Bulldog. Be sure to look into all the enrollment policies and have a full understanding of the enrollment rules.
What Types Of Treatment The Insurance Covers
It is important that you fully understand what is covered and what isn’t covered with any policy you look into. The types of ailments covered can vary by the insurer and policy as well. There are some plans that are accident-only plans and plans like this will only cover injuries but won’t cover illnesses or routine check-ups at your veterinarian’s office.
I will say that continual care is an important consideration to keep in mind. I routinely had many trips to the vet with my English Bulldog and those regular visits added up. I was thankful that I had coverage for those regular visits. In some cases, if your English Bulldogs develops a condition, some policies won’t extend your coverage after your policy renewal unless you pay more.
Being aware of wellness check-ups and routine Vet visits is important. Regular exams, routine procedures, and regular treatments add up. This can get tricky since reimbursement for procedures may be covered, but the exams won’t be. I would always submit any visit to the vet and some got covered, some partially, some not at all.
Insurance Plan Deductibles, Payout Limits, And More…
The pet insurance plan deductible is typically the amount you pay out of pocket before the insurance company pays for what they will cover. In some pet insurance plans, the deductible is offered annually while others are applied per incident (that is what I have experienced).
As an English Bulldog owner, you should also be aware of payout limits since some insurance companies will cap the yearly limit for how much they’ll reimburse you for covered costs with your pet. Limits can vary by year, the lifespan of your English Bulldog, type of incident or even condition.
Pricing And Reimbursement Levels
Policy pricing will also vary by the dog’s age and breed, reimbursement level and deductible, type of coverage, and your location. Not all companies reimburse on a benefit schedule approach. Many reimburse on the actual veterinary bill. It’s extremely important to look into the reimbursement levels as you choose your level of reimbursement—but, that doesn’t mean you’ll be reimbursed the actual percentage.
You will definitely want to dig in and fully understand each pet insurance company’s max payout per diagnosis under what is called a benefit schedule.
Exclusions That Aren’t Covered
Another thing to consider are the exclusions for the insurance plan you are considering. Pre-existing conditions are most likely excluded and many plans won’t cover conditions like hip dysplasia or certain genetic conditions. Look into the fine print on any policy to make sure.
My Top Picks For The Best English Bulldog Pet Insurance Options
Keeping all of the above in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best pet insurance for English Bulldogs to help you choose the right company and coverage for your Bully.
- Embrace Pet Insurance: Embrace offers coverage for exam fees and they have a Healthy Pets Deductible system which reduces your annual deductible by $50 each year that you don’t receive a claim payment. You can get a full 90% reimbursement along with comprehensive coverage for both accidents and illnesses. They also have an optional Wellness Rewards program for routine care. I have found this especially helpful for my English Bulldog’s regular visits to the Vet.
- ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: ASPCA Pet Health Insurances offers coverage for accidents, illnesses, hereditary, and congenital conditions that might occur with your Bully. They also offer up to 90% reimbursement of covered costs and you can go to any veterinarian or animal specialist of your choosing.
- Pets Best Pet Health Insurance: Pets Best has a 24/7 veterinarian support line for all their customers which can be very helpful. They offer up to 90% reimbursement on any unexpected vet costs, and there are no annual or lifetime limits.
- Nationwide Pet Insurance: Nationwide is the first and largest pet insurance provider in the United States. They offer continual coverage no matter what age or condition your English Bulldog is in. You can get up to 90% on all vet bills.
- FIGO Pet Insurance: FIGO offers up to 100% reimbursements and offers comprehensive coverage for nearly all conditions, including cancer. They also waive all copays and deductibles on their lifesaving care plan which can be very helpful.
- Trupanion Medical Insurance for Your Pet: Trupanion pays veterinarians directly at the time of checkout. Their policies cover illnesses, surgery, and herbal therapies. They pick up 90% of the bill which includes overnight stays, medications, diagnostic testing and more.
These Programs Offer The Best Pet Insurance For English Bulldogs
It is no secret I highly recommend that any English Bulldog owner should seriously look into pet insurance. These English Bulldog pet insurance companies won’t let you down during your English Bulldog’s time of need. While policy costs will vary depending on your English Bulldog’s age, what plan you go with, and where you live.
Your English Bulldog’s Long Term Health Takes Top Priority
Don’t forget that the best pet insurance for English Bulldogs includes the necessary comprehensive coverage that benefits you and them the most. You will want to pay attention to their family health history of your English Bulldog and any other factors that may concern you. Better to have it and never use it than need it and not able to get it. It sure came in handy when Noble tore her ACL two years in a row.
