Moderate-high health risk medium · 45-70 lbs · 12-yr lifespan

Chow Chow Vet Costs: What You'll Actually Pay

$520 to $1,300 per year at the vet. Over a 12-year lifespan, that's $7,000 to $17,000 total. 2 visits/year.

Annual Vet Cost

$520-$1,300

Lifetime Vet Cost

$12,000

12-year avg

Insurance

$48-$90/mo

$576-$1,080/yr

Annual Vet Cost Breakdown

Where your Chow Chow vet budget actually goes.

Preventive care (vaccines, exams, prevention) $380

Breed-specific health risk reserve $550

Spay/neuter (one-time, amortized) $200-$500

Annual total range $520-$1,300

Chow Chow Health Issues: What to Watch For

Entropion (eyelid rolling)

20-30% of breed

Eyelids roll inward, scratching the cornea. Surgical correction usually needed.

Treatment cost: $500-$2,000

Hip dysplasia

18-22% of breed

Above-average rate for the breed.

Treatment cost: $1,500-$6,000

Hypothyroidism

15-20% of breed

Common in Chows. Daily medication.

Treatment cost: $200-$600

Recommended Procedures & Screenings

Procedure	Frequency	Cost
Eye evaluation	Annual	$80-$200
Entropion surgery (if needed)	Once	$500-$2,000
Hip screening	Once at age 2	$200-$400

The Bottom Line on Chow Chow Vet Bills

Chow Chows are independent dogs with several well-documented health risks. Entropion surgery is almost a given for the breed — budget for it.

Compare With Other Breeds

Mastiff $800-$2,200/yr Bulldog $700-$2,000/yr Saint Bernard $750-$2,000/yr Cane Corso $700-$1,800/yr Bernese Mountain Dog $650-$1,800/yr French Bulldog $650-$1,800/yr Bloodhound $650-$1,700/yr Persian $600-$1,600/yr Sphynx $580-$1,600/yr Scottish Fold $550-$1,500/yr Great Dane $600-$1,500/yr Akita $620-$1,500/yr Bull Terrier $580-$1,500/yr Cavalier King Charles Spaniel $550-$1,400/yr Boston Terrier $550-$1,400/yr Boxer $550-$1,400/yr Doberman Pinscher $520-$1,400/yr German Shepherd $500-$1,300/yr Rottweiler $500-$1,300/yr Great Pyrenees $530-$1,300/yr Basset Hound $500-$1,300/yr Alaskan Malamute $550-$1,300/yr Golden Retriever $500-$1,200/yr Maine Coon $450-$1,200/yr Dalmatian $500-$1,200/yr Weimaraner $490-$1,200/yr Ragdoll $440-$1,150/yr Pembroke Welsh Corgi $450-$1,100/yr Miniature Schnauzer $430-$1,100/yr British Shorthair $420-$1,100/yr Bengal $430-$1,100/yr Samoyed $450-$1,100/yr Siamese $400-$1,100/yr Irish Setter $480-$1,100/yr Labrador Retriever $480-$1,100/yr Maltese $420-$1,050/yr Abyssinian $400-$1,050/yr West Highland White Terrier $420-$1,000/yr Dachshund $400-$1,000/yr Cocker Spaniel $420-$1,000/yr Pomeranian $400-$1,000/yr Poodle (Standard) $450-$1,000/yr Australian Shepherd $420-$1,000/yr Siberian Husky $420-$1,000/yr Vizsla $410-$980/yr Havanese $390-$950/yr Border Collie $420-$950/yr Shetland Sheepdog $400-$950/yr Yorkshire Terrier $380-$900/yr Standard Schnauzer $380-$900/yr American Shorthair $350-$900/yr Shih Tzu $380-$900/yr Bichon Frise $380-$900/yr German Shorthaired Pointer $400-$900/yr Shiba Inu $380-$880/yr Beagle $380-$850/yr Whippet $360-$850/yr Jack Russell Terrier $350-$850/yr Australian Cattle Dog $350-$800/yr Chihuahua $300-$700/yr

More Vet Cost Resources

Vet Cost Calculator All Breeds Compared Emergency Vet Costs Procedure Cost Guide Pet Insurance Costs Preventive Care Costs