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. 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 deductible. You'll pay the vet bill upfront, then file a claim to get reimbursed for covered expenses according to your policy's reimbursement rate.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Hip Dysplasia?
Updated: August 29, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
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?
What Covers Hip Dysplasia?
Accident and illness plans are the only type of pet insurance that covers hip dysplasia treatment, including diagnostic X-rays, medications, physical therapy and even surgical procedures like total hip replacement.
Coverage excludes pre-existing conditions, so you'll need to enroll before your pet shows any symptoms or receives a hip dysplasia diagnosis. Some insurers also impose breed or age restrictions and have bilateral exclusions, meaning if one hip develops problems before enrollment, they won't cover the other hip later.
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. Check the table below to see how major insurers provide coverage for hip dysplasia.
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. Review your specific policy documents for exact coverage terms and exclusions.
Do You Need Hip Dysplasia Coverage?
Hip dysplasia causes pain and mobility issues for your pet, plus treatment costs can reach thousands of dollars. Several factors can help you decide whether 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 hip dysplasia is more common in large-breed dogs, it can also be seen in smaller breeds and even some cats. Maine Coons, Persians and Himalayans are among cat breeds that can develop hip dysplasia, though it's rare in felines.
- 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 also have bilateral exclusions, meaning if one hip develops problems before enrollment, they 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. Having pet insurance that covers hip dysplasia means you get reimbursed 60% to 90% of eligible expenses after meeting your deductible. This helps you recover hundreds or thousands of dollars and makes 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
We've answered some frequently asked questions about pet insurance coverage for hip dysplasia below:
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. However, if both hips develop problems after your policy starts, they're usually covered.
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. Some insurers like Healthy Paws and Wagmo only cover pets under six for hip dysplasia, while others have no age limits. The key is enrolling 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. While less common, cats can also develop hip dysplasia, particularly Maine Coons, Persians and Himalayans.
How long is the waiting period for hip dysplasia coverage?
Waiting periods for hip dysplasia coverage vary significantly by insurer. Pumpkin and Spot offer coverage after 14 days, while Healthy Paws requires a 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. Hip dysplasia is a genetic skeletal condition that develops over time, making it an illness rather than an accident.
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.
sources
- CareCredit. "Dog Hip Dysplasia Surgery Cost and Procedure Guide." Accessed August 29, 2025.