Takeaways
- Great Danes are unfortunately predisposed to many health conditions which makes pet insurance a must-have for this breed
- 42% of Great Danes will experience a case of GDV, commonly known as bloat, a life-threatening condition requiring emergency surgery
- Due to their size, Great Danes are also prone to orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia and arthritis
- Treatment costs for common Great Dane conditions can be in the thousands, pet insurance can help cover these costs, up to 90%
- The best pet insurance plans for Great Danes cover their most common conditions and do not have breed restrictions
Big dogs with even bigger hearts, Great Danes are known as the “gentle giants” of the dog world. It is believed that Great Danes originated in Europe during the 14th century by cross-breeding English mastiffs with greyhounds. This resulted in a large but swift hunting dog that was highly sought after for tracking boars. Today, Great Danes are still recognized as working dogs but more often serve as loyal family dogs and service dogs.
Unfortunately, due to their size, Great Danes suffer from a number of health conditions. Some of these conditions can be quite serious, even requiring surgery. Getting pet insurance for your Great Dane is one of the best things you can do to help keep this special breed healthy and happy!
Great Danes are often loving and loyal – and absolutely huge! Sadly, their life expectancy is only around 7-10 years, and they have high rates of both bloat and cardiomyopathy, which are both extremely serious. Costs of intervention and medication for large breeds is usually high due to the larger amounts of medication they need for their size. Getting pet insurance for breeds of dogs who are prone to health issues, especially giant breeds, is a very sensible course of action, and there are plenty of policies out there to suit everyone.
Dr. Lizzie Youens, Veterinary Surgeon
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Common Health Problems in Great Danes
Like most purebred dogs, Great Danes have an increased risk for several health conditions. Many of which stem from their size and other characteristics they were originally bred for. Their large frames can contribute to a number of orthopedic conditions while their deep, barrel-shaped chests put them at an increased risk for gastric dilatation volvulus.
Gastric dilatation volvulus, GDV, more commonly known as “bloat” occurs when a dog’s stomach becomes overextended with gas leading to a gastric torsion or twisted stomach.
It is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency surgery.
Sadly, GDV is the leading cause of death in Great Danes. With such a high risk of developing GDV, many Great Dane owners opt for a preventative surgery known as a gastropexy. This procedure involves “tacking” the stomach to the abdominal wall and is commonly done when spaying or neutering young Great Danes.
Great Danes also suffer from heart disease, hip dysplasia, lumbosacral disease, arthritis and thyroid disorders.
Here are some of the most common Great Dane health conditions and average treatment costs. Treatment costs may be higher for Great Danes compared to the same condition in smaller breeds because their medication costs will be higher due to their large size.
| Great Dane Health Issue | Average Treatment Costs |
|---|---|
| Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV or Bloat)(twisted stomach) | $3,000 to $6,000 |
| Cardiomyopathy(enlarged heart) | $2,000 to $6,000 (plus monthly medication costs) |
| Hip Dysplasia(abnormal development of the joint) | $3,000 to $6,000 (per hip) |
| Arthritis | $100 to $250 (plus monthly medication costs) |
| Hypothyroidism(underactive thyroid) | $100 to $500 (plus monthly medication costs) |
| Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (spinal disease leading to lower back pain) | $100 to $250 (plus monthly medication costs) |
The Best Pet Insurance For Great Danes
While there’s no perfect pet insurance plan for Great Danes, there are some that offer better coverage for the unique needs of this breed. As with all insurance, pre-existing conditions are typically excluded, changes in coverage or eligibility can occur, and waiting periods usually apply. Check individual policies for more details.
ASPCA
ASPCA Pet Insurance covers a wide range of accidents and illnesses under their Complete Coverage Plan. Coverage includes diagnostics, treatments, hospitalizations, surgeries, and more.
Reimbursement rates can range from 70% to 90% after the deductible is met. Deductibles range from $100 to $500. Monthly premiums vary greatly based on the individual pet but averages range from $40 to $80.
Why it’s great for Great Danes!
- No breed exclusions or extended waiting periods for hereditary conditions
- Covers common Great Dane conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and hip dysplasia
- Covers long-term chronic conditions like hypothyroidism
- Prescription supplements for arthritis are covered
- Emergency GDV treatment is covered
- Covers alternative therapies like acupuncture, laser therapy, and hydrotherapy for Great Danes with arthritis, hip dysplasia, and mobility issues
Embrace
Embrace Pet Insurance offers coverage for accidents and illnesses as part of their standard plan. Covered costs include diagnostics, treatments, hospitalizations, surgeries, and more. Embrace also offers a Wellness Rewards plan as an add-on that covers preventative care.
Reimbursement rates range from 70% to 90% after the deductible is met. Deductibles range from $100 to $1000. Monthly premiums vary based on the individual pet but averages range from $39 to $56 for a Great Dane.
Why it’s great for Great Danes!
- No limits on hereditary or genetic illness coverage for Great Danes
- Covers common Great Dane conditions like cardiomyopathy and arthritis
- Emergency GDV treatment is covered
- Hip dysplasia is covered after a 6-month waiting period
- Covers long-term chronic conditions like hypothyroidism
- Physical therapy, and alternative therapies like laser and acupuncture are covered for Great Danes with arthritis and other conditions
- The Wellness Rewards add-on covers gastropexy procedures (GDV prevention)
Fetch
Fetch Pet Insurance provides comprehensive accident and illness coverage in their standard plan. Coverage includes diagnostics, treatments, hospitalizations, surgeries, and more.
Reimbursement rates range from 70% to 90% after the deductible is met. Deductibles range from $250 to $500. Monthly premiums vary based on the individual pet but the average for a Great Dane is $64 a month.
Why it’s great for Great Danes!
- No breed exclusions for hereditary conditions
- Covers conditions common in Great Danes like heart disease and arthritis
- Hip dysplasia is covered after a 6-month waiting period
- Emergency GDV treatment is covered
- Covers long-term chronic conditions like hypothyroidism
- Prescription medications and supplements are covered
- Acupuncture and chiropractic care are covered for Great Danes with mobility issues
Pets Best
Pets Best offers broad coverage under their Accident and Illness Plan. Covered costs include diagnostics, treatments, hospitalizations, surgeries, and optional wellness coverage (offered as an add-on).
Reimbursement rates range from 70% to 90% after the deductible is met. A variety of options for deductibles and monthly premiums make this plan highly customizable.
Why it’s great for Great Danes!
- No breed exclusions for hereditary conditions
- Covers common Great Dane conditions like arthritis and hip dysplasia
- Covers long-term chronic conditions like hypothyroidism
- Emergency GDV treatment is covered
- Covers rehabilitation therapy and wheelchairs or carts for Great Danes with mobility issues
- Highly customizable plan with options to add on wellness coverage
- Direct-to-vet payment option to reduce upfront out-of-pocket costs
Pumpkin
Pumpkin Pet Insurance provides accident and illness coverage in their standard plan. Coverage includes diagnostics, treatments, hospitalizations, surgeries, and optional preventative care coverage (offered as an add-on).
The reimbursement rate is a standard 90% for covered conditions with multiple deductible options ranging from $100 to $1,000. Monthly premiums start at $30 and go up based on your pet and choice of deductible.
Why it’s great for Great Danes!
- No breed exclusions for hereditary conditions
- Covers many conditions common in Great Danes like cardiomyopathy and hip dysplasia
- Emergency GDV treatment is covered
- Covers long-term chronic conditions like hypothyroidism
- Covers alternative therapies like acupuncture for Great Danes with hip dysplasia and mobility issues
Trupanion
Trupanion’s Pet Insurance standard plan covers a wide range of accidents and illnesses. Covered costs include diagnostics, treatments, hospitalizations, surgeries, and more.
The reimbursement rate is 90% and Trupanion has a very customizable plan for choosing deductibles and monthly premiums.
Why it’s great for Great Danes!
- No breed exclusions for hereditary conditions
- Covers many common Great Dane conditions like heart disease, arthritis, and hip dysplasia
- Emergency GDV treatment is covered
- Covers wheelchairs and carts for Great Danes with mobility issues
- Long-term chronic conditions like hypothyroidism is covered
- Option for direct-to-vet payment for reduced upfront expenses
Is Pet Insurance Worth It For Great Danes?
Unfortunately, Great Danes have a very high risk for some serious health conditions making pet insurance a must-have for this breed! An estimated 42% of Great Danes will experience a case of GDV, commonly known as bloat, a life-threatening condition requiring emergency surgery.
While Great Dane insurance premiums may be slightly higher than the average dog, it pales in comparison to what some of their medical bills can run. Should your Great Dane develop a case of GDV, hip dysplasia, or other common conditions of this breed, treatment costs can be in the thousands. Pet insurance can help cover these costs, some up to 90%.
When Should I Get Pet Insurance For My Great Dane?
The best time to get pet insurance for your Great Dane, or any dog really, is when they are a puppy. Unfortunately, no pet insurance covers pre-existing conditions so the earlier they are insured, the better! Of course, if you adopted an older Great Dane it’s still advisable to get them insured. Just be prepared for higher premiums in most cases.
Factors That Affect Pet Insurance For Great Danes
When looking at pet insurance options for your Great Dane it’s important to get customized quotes. Factors like your dog’s age, breed, medical history, and location will affect your premiums and coverage drastically.
Once you have some options in mind, be sure to check for any breed-specific exclusions, caps on coverage for specific conditions, or additional waiting periods. Some of the most common exclusions and extended waiting periods for Great Danes are for hip dysplasia and GDV coverage.
If you are including some type of wellness add-on, check for gastropexy coverage. Some wellness plans will cover this potentially GDV-preventing procedure for high-risk dogs like Great Danes.
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