Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans For Great Danes (2024)

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Great Danes are the gentle giants of dogs. Despite their massive size and history as a hunting dog, Great Danes are great with children and always eager to please. They make excellent family pets.

Unfortunately, the Great Dane breed is predisposed to certain medical conditions. While these health issues can be expensive to treat, you may be able to cover the high costs if you invest in pet insurance for your dog early.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right pet insurance plan for your beloved Great Dane. This guide will help you select a plan that covers everything you want it to, so you can be there for your dog when they need you most.

Compare The Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans for Your Great Dane Using our Free No-Obligation Quote Tool below

The simplest way to compare pet insurance prices is to use our tool below. The comparison tool will show you quotes from the top 9 pet insurance carriers, including Trupanion, Pets Best, Lemonade, ManyPets, FIGO, HealthyPaws, Prudent Pet, Spot, and Embrace pet insurance.

How Much Does Pet Insurance for a Great Dane Cost?

Below are some sample pet insurance plans for a 1-year-old male Great Dane using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example.

• Pets Best – $88.13 per month
• Embrace – $76.60 per month
• Healthy Paws – $59.13 per month
• ManyPets – $80.58 per month

Ultimately, your plan’s premium will depend on several factors, including your dog’s age, size, and breed, as well as where you live. You also want to know what type of coverage your plan has and if it will help with Great Dane-specific health problems. Let’s get more into those medical conditions and how much you can expect to pay to treat them.

Common Health Problems Associated With Great Danes

Hip Dysplasia in Great Danes

Hip Dysplasia is one of the most common problems in larger breed dogs, and there are few larger dogs than Great Danes. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint, and hip dysplasia causes malformation of the two components. That makes it difficult for your dog to walk, and the chronic laxity can cause abnormal wear, which leads to osteoarthritis.

The earlier you have your dog diagnosed, the better their outcome will be. Pet insurance often covers annual exams.

Osteosarcoma in Great Danes

Also known as bone cancer, osteosarcoma is a common health issue seen in Great Danes. These aggressive tumors can develop anywhere along their skeleton but most commonly appear above the shoulders and on limbs.

While dogs can develop osteosarcoma at any age, most diagnoses occur around age 8 (the average lifespan for a Great Dane is 7-10 years.) Surgery can save your dog’s life, but unfortunately, it’s not guaranteed to.

Gastric Torsion (“Bloat”) in Great Danes

This is the most common health problem associated with Great Danes. Gastric Torson (aka “bloat”) occurs when your dog’s stomach fills too rapidly with gas, food, or fluid. Bloat is a sudden, life-threatening condition where the stomach can twist, blocking the organ’s entrance and exit. It can even obstruct blood flow, which is a medical emergency.

Bloat more commonly affects large breed dogs like Great Danes. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential when it comes to gastric torsion. Preventative measures, like regular exercise, proper diet, and not eating or drinking too quickly help as well.

If you notice any of these warning signs, you should take your Great Dane to the vet right away:

• Swollen belly
• Rapid heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse

RELATED: Bloat Kills 50% Of Dogs That Get It – Here Is What You Must Know

Cardiomyopathy in Great Danes

When the heart muscles can’t contract properly, the heart can’t pump out as much blood. Building pressure inside the heart can enlarge it, which could lead to heart failure. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common cause of heart failure in large breeds like Great Danes. It could even cause sudden death.

Signs of the condition vary but may include:

• Rapid breathing when resting
• Weakness
• Restless sleeping
• Coughing or gagging
• Decreased appetite

Typical Costs Of Treating Health Issues In Great Danes and How Pet Insurance Can Help

If left untreated, certain conditions can result in long-term consequences, which ultimately make them more expensive to manage and treat. Knowing the signs and symptoms of these conditions common in Great Danes can help you catch them early. When in doubt, take your dog to the vet to have them diagnosed.

Many of the health issues listed above can be very expensive to treat, especially when surgery is required. Here are just some sample veterinary expenses:

• Hip Dysplasia Costs: The cost of surgery for hip dysplasia can range from $4,000 to $6,000 per hip. Surgical options include Triple Pelvic Osteotomy, Femoral Head Osteotomy, and Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis, all costing thousands of dollars. Without surgery, your dog will suffer discomfort and eventually severe pain.
• Osteosarcoma Costs: X-rays will definitely be required to diagnose the condition, and urinalysis can determine if the cancer has spread. As I mentioned, surgery is only somewhat successful at saving an affected dog’s life. Because these tumors are so aggressive, your dog may need chemotherapy to treat metastasis. In other words: this is a very expensive medical condition (meaning costs extending past $10,000.)
• Gastric Torsion (“Bloat”) Costs: If your dog’s stomach has twisted, it will probably need emergency surgery to untwist it. The average cost of treating a bloat case with surgery runs between $2,000 and $5,000. If there are complications, the cost could be even higher. Pet insurance with emergency coverage can literally be life-saving in this case.
• Cardiomyopathy Costs: Echocardiograms, which your vet will need to diagnose your dog, can be expensive (~$500-$600). Your dog will then need to take a variety of drugs, like diuretics for removing fluid and beta-blockers, depending on their condition. These drugs are relatively affordable, but the costs add up when your dog needs several.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of these conditions common in Great Danes can help you catch them early, saving your dog and your money. When in doubt, take your pup to the vet to have them diagnosed.

What Is Pet Health Insurance And Why Do I Need It For My Great Dane?

Pet health insurance works very similarly to human health insurance. Your policy quote will range in monthly price, depending on your dog’s breed, age, and where you live. Typically, you’ll spend around $15-$161 per month as a pet parent.

Pet insurance is mainly about peace of mind, knowing you won’t be totally overwhelmed in case of an emergency. Enrolling even when your dog is young and healthy will ensure you have plenty of coverage when they need expensive medical care later. If you choose a plan more suited to your dog’s particular breed, you’ll be more prepared when something happens later on in their life.

Some plans cover accidents and illnesses, while others only cover accidents. Certain plans do cover breed-specific illnesses, and others do not. It all depends on what type of coverage you choose. With our free pet insurance comparison tool, you can get quotes from multiple insurance companies with no obligation to commit.

Whatever plan you choose, you’ll feel better knowing you can take care of your dog when they need you most. Plus, you won’t have to suddenly shell out thousands of dollars. Learn more about how pet insurance works here.

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