Shiba Inu’s are Independent, intelligent, and devoted. If you can handle a strong-willed pup, you’ll be amazed at all of the love your Shiba will give.
If you’re a pet parent or considering adopting, we’ll give you the rundown on Shiba Inus to see if they’re the right fit. We’ll cover breed characteristics, personality, cost, common illnesses, and references to pop-culture. Scroll down to find the freshest Shiba Inu influencers that’ll brighten up your Insta feed!
But, as we all know, having a dog isn’t always as easy as scrolling through your feed. So before giving the run down on Shibas, we’re going to tell you how to protect your pooch, and explain how pet insurance for dogs could help take the bite out of vet bills.
Getting pet insurance for your Shiba Inu
Pet insurance helps cover the costs of your vet bills. You pay a monthly premium and in exchange, you can provide care for your fur fam without stressing as much about the costs. With Lemonade pet insurance, pet parents can 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 dog or cat 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, designed to keep your pet healthy, and helps cover expenses you’re probably already paying for. By adding a preventive care package to a Lemonade policy you’ll also get access to live medical chat and be covered for all types of routine care—like your annual wellness exam, checkups, blood tests, several vaccinations, and other routine health care for your pet. Get a quote for the best pet insurance plan for your furry friend.
Wondering if pet insurance is worth it? Check out how much pet parents of dogs and cats, including Shiba Inus, have saved on vet bills by signing their fur baby up for pet insurance.
We ask a Shiba Inu about a day in their life…
“Rise and shine! I’m your new puppy. I love waking up in bed with you. After the daily cuddles and kisses (if I’m in the mood), it’s time for a long morning walk. I need to keep my body and mind active, so I don’t get bored and chew on all of your toy-sized shoes.
So you’re not overwhelmed, I’ll give you some advice now. It’s best to put me on a leash… I can get distracted and want to chase the birds down. Some say that I’m aggressive toward other pups. I think I’m just defensive over my area, toys, and food. With the right socialization, I can become better at playing nice in the dog park.
When we get back home, I’m ready to eat. Just try to avoid giving me these toxic foods. If you drop something yummy, you can count on me to pick it up. Post-lunch naps are my favorite. You’re always welcome to join!
Time for our afternoon toy time. You can count on me to play with almost anything you buy me. I really like squishy toys. But, sometimes I destroy them… oops!”
The Shiba Inus personality
Shiba Inus are filled with a love for life. Your Inu will be a bundle of energy, playfulness, and independence. Other than a dog owners love, this breed needs both attention and freedom. While they’re loyal, Shibas can be stubborn, so they rather make their own rules. If they aren’t in the mood to cuddle, they won’t.
As an athletic breed, these dogs will require an active lifestyle. We recommend daily walks and trips to the park. If you have multiple pets or plan on visiting the dog part, expose your Shiba Inu puppy to different animals, sounds, and environments. This breed can be defensive over their turf.
To prepare for your Shiba’s arrival, we recommend buying a deshedding tool, fencing in your yard, and picking out the cutest squeaky toys.
How much does a Shiba Inu cost?
Shiba Inu prices are moderately expensive, initially costing between $600-$1,800. The cost of a Shiba Inu can vary on location, coat color, bloodline, and age.
When it comes to buying a Shiba Inu, be very careful. Only buy from a reputable breeder. Sadly, some breeders take advantage of the breeds’ popularity while neglecting important health and temperament issues.
Since we recommend buying from a reputable Shiba Inu breeder, it may be hard to find trustworthy adoption options. Rescue Me is a great Shiba Inu rescue for all potential pet parents.
Be prepared: During the first year, you’ll spend near $3,700 to get your new friend vaccinations, grooming appointments, and pet health insurance. This cost drops to around $1,000 for dog food, vet visits, and more each year following.
On average, Shiba Inu dogs cost owners around $19,000 over their lifetime. But if you plan on spaying/neutering your dog, hiring a dog walker, and boarding your pup once a year, expect to pay anywhere from $73,000 to $145,000 over their lifetime.
What are common Shiba Inu health issues?
To decide if this small dog breed is for you, we wanted to share some health problems you might run into. We hope you never see your dog go through these. But if you do, it’s always a good idea to be prepared and know the signs.
Before we get into some common health problems your pup might encounter, a quick reminder that Lemonade offers stellar Pet Health insurance that’ll keep your Shiba Inu happy and healthy. You can get a quote from your favorite insurance company in just a few minutes—it’s quick, simple, and even a little fun…
While most dogs have allergies, this breed is extra sensitive. Allergies can fall into food, topical, and contact categories. Food allergies can usually be treated with a diet change. If your dog is reacting to pollen and dust, the vet might recommend medication or environmental changes. Your Shiba Inu can also be allergic to certain beddings, shampoos, and powders. Your vet’s suggestions will vary based on what type of allergy and environment your dog has.
Epilepsy is an inherited condition that causes seizures. Shiba Inu’s will usually show signs of this disease during their first few years of life. If your dog is seizing, make sure to prevent them from injuring themselves and call the vet immediately.
If your dog’s running on three legs or limping, she might have Patellar Luxation. It’s a painful condition that involves the knee joint shifting in and out of place. Most cases can be treated with pain medications, but some may require surgery.
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are common in many dog breeds. If your dog goes untreated, these diseases could cost you $1,500 to $6,000. Since these conditions are inherited, we recommend asking your breeder for certifications from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
Your Shiba might also be prone to a common condition called Hypothyroidism. It’s a disorder referring to an insufficient amount of thyroid hormones. To check for this one, watch out for signs like weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, and epilepsy.
Eye problems are common in a few forms. The three main types are progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a hereditary disease that eventually leads to blindness. We suggest you ask your breeder about the parent’s eye history to avoid this condition. Cataracts are a cloudy film that forms over the eye and causes blurry vision. Cloudy corneas can also be a symptom of Glaucoma, a disease that puts pressure on your dog’s eye potentially causing loss of vision. Rule of thumb? If you notice your Cocker is itching a lot or has red eyes, schedule an appointment with your vet.
Like humans, dogs show symptoms in a variety of ways. We suggest calling your vet if your dog starts acting differently, so you never overlook a serious health condition.
Shiba’s in Pop Culture:
Originally bred as a hunting dog in Japan, Sbiha Inus still carry their ‘cat-like’ nature, intelligence, and hard work. Today, they’re more of a companion dog that love hiking and chasing down birds.
In 1979, the first litter of Shiba Inu pups were born in the U.S. While Shibas are becoming popular in the U.S., they’ve been stealing hearts in Japan for centuries. As a national treasure, this breed is a social media meme sensation. Post World War II, purebred Shiba Inus almost went extinct as a result of a food shortage and distemper epidemic. Luckily, three variations of the ancient dog breed were bred into one. In 1992, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed.
Instagram-famous Shiba Inus:
Nothing cheers us up like our favorite Instagram Shibas. Add these photogenic pups to your feed!
Makonatu has expertise in long naps, squishy plush toys, and turtle siblings. You won’t regret adding this cute face to your feed!
As the Most Stylish Dog in The World (AKA Mensweardog), Bodhi needs no introduction. His human impersonations are simply perfect. Don’t take it too hard when you find out that a dog is cooler than you.
Calling all minimalists! Check out Hello Hoku to see how an adorable dog lives it up in his fur fam’s simple, yet modern house. Hoku has mastered the insta-influencer feed with matcha lattes and beach vacations.
Can you really experience van life without a four-legged friend? Probably not! Luckily, Linda gets to travel with 2. Follow Shibainu_Chinook and Makoyi for some traveling inspiration.
And don’t forget!
Your Shiba Inu puppy is a bundle of cuteness, and you want to keep that pup happy and healthy—without going bankrupt with vet bills in the process. Enter Lemonade’s Pet Health insurance, which offers an affordable way to make sure your furry friend can live their fullest life. Get your quote in just a few minutes, with a dog insurance policy that dogs and their pet parents both love!
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.
