Does Pet Insurance Cover Hip Dysplasia?

Pet insurance covers hip dysplasia if the condition develops after the waiting periods end or isn’t pre-existing at enrollment.

Find the right pet insurance coverage for your companion below.

By Mark Fitzpatrick

Edited by Lukas Velunta

Updated: September 17, 2025

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Key Takeaways

Pet insurance covers hip dysplasia through accident and illness plans when you enroll before symptoms appear, since it becomes a pre-existing condition once diagnosed.

Some insurers like MetLife and Pumpkin include hip dysplasia coverage in their standard plans without age or breed restrictions.

Whether you need pet insurance that covers hip dysplasia depends on your pet’s age, breed and your financial situation.

How Does Pet Insurance Work for Hip Dysplasia?

Pet insurance covers hip dysplasia treatment when you enroll your pet before symptoms appear, paying for diagnostic tests, medications, physical therapy and surgery after you meet your annual deductible. You'll pay the veterinarian bill upfront, then file a claim to get reimbursed for covered expenses according to your policy's reimbursement rate.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition where a dog's hip joint doesn't form properly, causing the ball and socket to rub and grind instead of sliding smoothly, making early enrollment important; this condition typically worsens over time without treatment.

What Covers Hip Dysplasia?

Accident and illness pet insurance plans cover hip dysplasia treatment, including diagnostic X-rays, medications, physical therapy and surgical procedures like total hip replacement. Coverage excludes pre-existing conditions, so you must enroll before your pet shows symptoms or receives a hip dysplasia diagnosis. Some insurers impose breed or age restrictions and bilateral exclusions, meaning if one hip develops problems before enrollment, insurers won't cover the other hip later, making early enrollment important for comprehensive protection.

Who Has Hip Dysplasia Coverage?

Most pet insurance companies cover hip dysplasia treatment through their accident and illness plans, provided it wasn't diagnosed before enrollment or during your policy's waiting period. Compare how major insurers provide hip dysplasia coverage:


AKC	No, you’ll need to purchase the optional HereditaryPlus add-on.
ASPCA	Yes.
Embrace	Yes, and it has no breed restrictions.
Fetch	Yes, and it has no age restrictions.
Figo	Yes, and it has no age restrictions.
Healthy Paws	Yes, and it has no breed restrictions but only pets under six at enrollment are eligible for coverage.
Lemonade	Yes.
Liberty Mutual	Yes.
MetLife	Yes, and it has no age or breed restrictions.
Nationwide	No, you’ll need to add the optional Hereditary and Congenital coverage.
Pets Best	Yes, and it has no age restrictions.
Prudent Pet	Yes.
Pumpkin	Yes, and it has no age or breed restrictions.
Rainwalk	Yes.
Spot	Yes, and it has no breed restrictions.
Trupanion	Yes, and it has no age restrictions.
Wagmo	Yes, but only pets under six are eligible for coverage.

*Coverage details vary by state and individual policy terms. Pet insurance policies have exclusions, limitations, and terms under which coverage may be canceled. Review your specific policy documents for exact coverage terms and exclusions. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional veterinary or insurance advice.

Do You Need Hip Dysplasia Coverage?

Hip dysplasia coverage benefits owners of high-risk breeds, young healthy pets, and anyone wanting to manage treatment costs that can reach $10,000. Determine if hip dysplasia coverage fits your situation:

1
Your pet's breed is at risk for hip dysplasia
German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes and Saint Bernards face higher hip dysplasia risks due to genetics. While more common in large-breed dogs, hip dysplasia also affects smaller breeds and some cats, including Maine Coons, Persians and Himalayans.
2
Your pet is young and healthy
Enrolling before symptoms appear gives you the best chance of coverage since hip dysplasia becomes a pre-existing condition once diagnosed. Some insurers have bilateral exclusions, meaning if one hip develops problems before enrollment, insurers won't cover the other hip even if it develops issues later.
3
You want to manage expensive treatment costs
Hip dysplasia surgery costs range from $800 to $10,000 depending on the procedure type, according to CareCredit's 2024 data. Pet insurance that covers hip dysplasia reimburses 60% to 90% of eligible expenses after meeting your deductible, helping you recover hundreds or thousands of dollars and making expensive treatments more manageable for your budget.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Hip Dysplasia: Bottom Line

Pet insurance covers hip dysplasia as long as the condition develops after enrollment and any waiting period. Companies like MetLife and Pumpkin include this coverage in their standard accident and illness policies without breed or age limits. Consider pet insurance that covers hip dysplasia if you have a high-risk breed, a young pet or want to manage expensive treatment costs.

What Pet Insurance Covers Hip Dysplasia: FAQ

Find answers to common questions about pet insurance hip dysplasia coverage:

Does pet insurance cover hip dysplasia surgery?

Pet insurance covers surgery costs for hip dysplasia through accident and illness plans, provided the condition wasn't pre-existing. Coverage includes procedures like total hip replacement, femoral head ostectomy and pelvic osteotomy, with surgery costs ranging from $800 to $10,000 per hip according to CareCredit.

Will pet insurance cover hip dysplasia if it affects both hips?

Most pet insurers cover hip dysplasia affecting both hips, but some have bilateral exclusions. If one hip develops problems before enrollment, insurers with bilateral exclusions won't cover the other hip if it develops issues later. Both hips are usually covered if hip dysplasia develops after your policy starts.

At what age should I get pet insurance for hip dysplasia coverage?

Get pet insurance for hip dysplasia coverage while your pet is young, ideally as a puppy or kitten, since some insurers like Healthy Paws and Wagmo only cover pets under six for hip dysplasia while others have no age limits. Enroll before any symptoms appear since hip dysplasia becomes a pre-existing condition once diagnosed.

Which breeds are most at risk for hip dysplasia?

Large dog breeds face the highest hip dysplasia risk, including German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes and Saint Bernards. Cats can also develop hip dysplasia, particularly Maine Coons, Persians and Himalayans, though this condition is less common in felines.

How long is the waiting period for hip dysplasia coverage?

Waiting periods for hip dysplasia coverage vary significantly by insurer, from Pumpkin and Spot's 14-day coverage to Healthy Paws' 12-month waiting period. Most insurers fall between these extremes with an average waiting period of six months.

What's the difference between accident-only and accident and illness plans for hip dysplasia?

Only accident and illness plans cover hip dysplasia because it's a medical condition, not an injury from trauma. Accident-only plans exclusively cover injuries like broken bones or cuts from accidents, while hip dysplasia is a genetic skeletal condition that develops over time and qualifies as an illness.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.

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sources

CareCredit. "Dog Hip Dysplasia Surgery Cost and Procedure Guide." Accessed August 29, 2025.