Best Pet Insurance For German Shepherds

German Shepherds (GSDs) have been among the five most popular breeds in the past two decades. Nonetheless, this highly intelligent, active herding breed is predisposed to many chronic and expensive health conditions, including hip dysplasia, severe spinal problems, allergies, pancreatic disorders, and much more.

As a GSD owner, it’s essential to understand all the potential health problems this breed faces and how you can plan ahead for costly vet bills throughout your pup’s lifetime. One of the best ways to ease your mind and your finances is by enrolling your dog in pet insurance. However, pet insurance policies certainly aren’t one-size-fits-all.

That’s where my expertise in pet insurance comes in handy. I’ve chosen the best pet insurance companies based on German Shepherds’ potential health issues. I also explain how you can tailor each provider’s policy to meet your budget. By covering a significant portion of costly vet bills, dog insurance can give you the peace of mind that you’ll be able to provide your GSD the vet care they need.

Best Pet Insurance For German Shepherds

German Shepherds, like all purebreds, have unique insurance needs, so I’ve conducted extensive research into the best pet insurance for your precious pup’s breed. I selected these providers based on many factors, including the dog’s age, coverage, specific health conditions, premium pricing, and more.

Best For	Company	Get Quotes	Read In-Depth Reviews
Most Affordable			Read Review
All-Inclusive Policies			Read Review
Unlimited Payouts			Read Review
German Shepherd Puppies			Read Review
Customizable Plans			Read Review
Hip Dysplasia			Read Review
Pre-Existing Bilateral Conditions			Read Review

Most Affordable: Pets Best

• Policy Options: Accident-Only, Accident & Illness, Wellness
• Annual Deductible Options: $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
• Annual Payout Options: $5,000, Unlimited
• Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%

Why I Picked Pets Best

Pets Best is a strong option if you need affordable coverage for your German Shepherd. Its policy pricing for GSDs is among the lowest, making it a budget-friendly choice. Despite the low premium pricing, Pets Best provides comprehensive coverage with an accident-only plan and three accident and illness plans. These three plans feature multiple customizable deductible, reimbursement, and annual payout options, allowing you to design a policy to fit your GSD’s needs and your budget. Additionally, it’s one of the few providers offering an accident-only plan.

Pros	Cons
Offers an accident-only and 3 accident and illness plans	Claim processing is longer than most at 18-30 days
5% discount for multiple pets	Exam fee and complementary therapy* coverage require upgrades to its policy
Wellness plan add-ons available	Accident-only plan excludes CCL injury coverage
Many customization options
Curable pre-existing conditions are covered once healed or cured
No upper age limits
14-day hip dysplasia and 3-day accident waiting periods are shorter than average

Best For All-Inclusive Policies: Fetch

• Policy Options: Accident & Illness, Wellness
• Annual Deductible Options: $300, $500, $700
• Annual Payout Options: $5,000, $10,000, $15,000
• Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%

Why I Picked Fetch

An outstanding provider for German Shepherds, Fetch’s pet insurance plans offer all-inclusive coverage with no need for upgrades or add-ons. The comprehensive policies cover sick exam fees, complementary therapies, behavioral therapies, and C-sections — items often excluded by other insurers. This provider also covers curable pre-existing illnesses and injuries after 12 months without signs, symptoms, or treatment.

Fetch also provides unique benefits like up to $1,000 per year for virtual vet appointments (with no deductible), lost pet assistance, trip cancellation coverage should your pet become ill, and more. Additionally, Fetch offers the convenience of pre-approval for procedures and cost estimates before treatment to ease your mind that your GSD’s necessary care will be covered.

Pros	Cons
All policies cover exam fees, complementary therapies, gum disease, and behavioral therapies	Long 15-day waiting period for accidents
Provides coverage for curable pre-existing conditions after 1 year	6-month waiting periods for CCL injuries and hip dysplasia coverage
Covers up to $1,000 in VirtualVet visits	Excludes coverage for IVDD in some cases*
Offers 3 optional wellness plans	No multi-pet discount
Ability to get estimates and procedures pre-approved before treatment

Best For Unlimited Payouts: Healthy Paws

• Policy Options: Accident & Illness
• Annual Deductible Options: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
• Annual Payout Options: Unlimited
• Reimbursement Options: 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%

Why I Picked Healthy Paws

Given the German Shepherd breed’s predisposition to numerous costly health problems, it’s crucial to consider a policy with unlimited annual payouts. With Healthy Paws, you never have to worry about running out of coverage because all policies have unlimited yearly caps. Does that make Healthy Paws more expensive than competitors? No, in many cases. Compared to other insurers’ policies with unlimited yearly payouts and the same deductible and reimbursement, Healthy Paws policies often cost less. For some GSDs, Healthy Paws may even be more cost-effective than policies with lower payout caps.

Pros	Cons
Unlimited annual payouts with all policies	Limited deductible and reimbursement options for older dogs
Plan pricing is often lower than other providers offering unlimited caps and comparable coverage	Some GSDs aren’t insurable based on age and location
Processes claims on average in 2 days	No vet exam fee coverage
Shorter than average waiting period for CCL injuries (15 days)	Hip dysplasia coverage is excluded for dogs enrolled after age 6
Well-established reputation for high customer satisfaction	Long 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia

Best For German Shepherd Puppies: Figo

• Policy Options: Accident & Illness, Wellness
• Annual Deductible Options: $100, $250, $500, $750
• Annual Payout Options: $5,000, $10,000, Unlimited
• Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%

Why I Picked Figo

Figo is a fantastic option for German Shepherd puppies, with very competitive pricing for little ones. Furthermore, Figo has the shortest waiting period for accidents in the pet insurance industry (only one day). This can ease your mind if you’re worried about your German Shepherd puppy swallowing a foreign object or becoming injured from rough play. However, you also get a special perk for healthy dogs — every year you’re claim-free, your deductible is reduced by $50. Figo also sets itself apart in the market by offering both 100% reimbursement and unlimited annual payouts.

Pros	Cons
Low pricing for GSD puppies	Added cost for exam fee coverage
Good customization options, including 100% reimbursement (rare in the industry)	6-month waiting period for hip dysplasia is longer than some competitors
Shortest waiting period for accidents at only 1 day
Plans include gum disease, complemtary therapy, and behavioral therapy coverage
Covers curable pre-existing conditions after 1 year
2 wellness plan add-ons available
Reduces your deductible by $50 each year you’re claim-free
Fast claim processing, averaging 3 days
5% multi-pet discount

Best For Customizable Plans: Embrace

• Policy Options: Accident-Only, Accident & Illness, Wellness
• Deductible Options: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
• Annual Payout Options: $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, Unlimited
• Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%

Why I Picked Embrace

Embrace makes it easy to tailor a policy to fit your budget and your Shepherd’s needs, with many customizable options for your deductible, reimbursement, and annual payout (which includes an unlimited cap option). You also have the choice to add on vet exam fees and prescription drugs if you want more extensive coverage. Plus, this provider’s accident and illness policies cover complementary therapy, behavior therapy, and $1,000 yearly for dental illness at no extra charge. However, if you’re on a limited budget, Embrace offers an affordable accident-only plan.

Pros	Cons
Accident-only plan available that covers canine bloat and CCL injuries	Coverage for exam fees and prescription medication require add-ons
10% multi-pet discount (best in the industry)	Some GSDs aren’t insurable, depending on location and age
Diminishing deductible of $50 each claim-free year	6-month waiting period for hip dysplasia coverage
All accident and illness plans include complementary therapy, behavioral therapy, and $1,000 per year for dental illness
Covers curable pre-existing conditions after 1 year
3 wellness plan add-ons available

Best For Hip Dysplasia: Lemonade

• Policy Options: Accident & Illness, Wellness
• Annual Deductible Options: $100, $250, $500
• Annual Payout Options: $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000
• Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%

Lemonade Pet Insurance Is NOT Available In: AK, AZ, DE, HI, ID, KS, KY, LA, ME, MN, MT, WV, WY

Why I Picked Lemonade

According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, nearly 20% of German Shepherds will develop hip dysplasia. This hereditary condition causes the hip joint to develop abnormally and bones to rub together. Hip dysplasia causes pain, stiffness, and lameness, and many GSDs require expensive surgery to improve the quality of their lives. Many top pet insurance companies have 6-month waiting periods for hip dysplasia coverage, but Lemonade’s is only 30 days.

Lemonade is also a top choice for Shepherds due to its affordable pricing and many customization options. The base plan is one of the most economical available. You can enhance coverage by adding options like vet visit fees, complementary therapy, behavioral therapy, dental illness, end-of-life care, and preventative care. Each can be added separately, allowing you to design your pet’s policy to fit your budget.

Lemonade, which introduced its pet insurance products in 2020, is not as well-established as the other providers in this article. However, Lemonade has garnered outstanding customer feedback, partly attributed to its swift and effective claims management.

Pros	Cons
Inexpensive base plans	Not available in 13 states
Many customizations for deductibles, reimbursement, and payouts	Adds-ons required for exam fees, higher dental coverage, complementary therapy, and behavioral therapy
5% multiple-pet discount	No coverage for alternative therapies
Fast claim processing, averaging 2 days (sometimes in minutes)	Waiting period for CCL coverage is 6 months
Covers curable pre-existing conditions after 1 year
Optional wellness coverage
30-day hip dysplasia waiting period is shorter than average

Best For Pre-Existing Bilateral Conditions: Trupanion

• Policy Options: Accident & Illness
• Per-Incident Deductible Options: $0 – $1,000 (in $5 increments)
• Annual Payout Options: Unlimited
• Reimbursement Options: 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%

Why I Picked Trupanion

In contrast to other insurers, Trupanion’s policies do not deny coverage for pre-existing bilateral conditions (those that can impact both sides of the body). Because German Shepherds are more likely to experience bilateral conditions and diseases like hip dysplasia, CCL injuries, cataracts, pannus, and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), this coverage is especially important for them. These conditions often affect both sides of the body, and treatment can be expensive.

Most pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing bilateral conditions, which can be a crucial concern for GSD owners. For example, if your Shepherd is diagnosed with hip dysplasia on the left side of the body before the policy’s effective date, coverage for hip dysplasia on the right side won’t be provided. However, Trupanion’s policies offer coverage in this situation. If your German Shepherd has already dealt with a bilateral condition, choosing Trupanion could end up saving you thousands of dollars.

Pros	Cons
Unlimited annual caps with all plans	Consistently the highest pricing for GSDs compared to other providers
May have the option for Trupanion to pay your vet directly to avoid waiting for reimbursement	No coverage for vet exam fees available
Doesn’t deny coverage for pre-existing bilateral conditions	30-day waiting period for illnesses is much longer than average
Covers curable pre-existing conditions after 1 year
Fast 2-day claim processing average
30-day waiting periods for CCL injuries and hip dysplasia are lower than average

What Type Of Pet Insurance Plan Is Best For German Shepherds?

When considering pet insurance, you’ll find two main types of plans: accident-only and accident and illness plans. Additionally, some providers offer optional wellness plans. These wellness plans are not insurance products, but they do help you budget for preventative and routine care to ensure your pet’s lasting health and well being.

	Accident-Only	Accident & Illness	Wellness
Injuries (CCL tears, canine bloat, broken bones, wounds, eye trauma, etc.)
Diseases (hip dysplasia, allergies, heart problems, degenerative myelopathy, IVDD, epilepsy, etc.)
Preventative (annual exams, vaccinations, dental cleaning, etc.)

What Are Accident-Only Pet Insurance Plans?

An accident-only plan, typically best suited for pet owners on a tight budget or pets with pre-existing conditions, covers emergency costs from specific accidents and injuries, such as cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries, canine bloat, foreign body ingestion, wounds, eye trauma, and more. However, it’s crucial to note that these plans do not extend to illnesses or hereditary diseases. Additionally, only a few providers offer accident-only plans.

Pricing Tip – Accident-only plans are typically much less expensive than accident and illness plans.

What Are Accident & Illness Pet Insurance Plans?

Investing in accident and illness plans for your German Shepherd is a proactive step towards ensuring the best care for your beloved pet. These plans offer comprehensive coverage for accidents, illnesses, and hereditary diseases that GSDs are prone to, such as degenerative myopathy, hip dysplasia, cancer, heart disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, epilepsy, and more.

What Are Wellness Plans?

To help you proactively manage your pet’s health, you can purchase an add-on wellness plan to your pet insurance policy. These plans pay for some of the expenses associated with regular preventive care, such as yearly physicals, immunizations, dental cleanings, prevention of parasites, and more. You can ensure your pet’s health without worrying about money by budgeting for routine veterinary care with a wellness plan, making it simpler to take care of your pet’s wellbeing.

Wellness plans are not pet insurance and don’t cover any costs related to illnesses or accidents.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover & Exclude?

Examining the fine print of any insurance policy is essential before signing. This step ensures you understand exactly what is covered and what isn’t, which can vary greatly depending on the insurance company and the kind of policy you buy. When considered medically necessary, the following are covered by most insurers’ accident and illness insurance plans. But, particular circumstances may have specific restrictions for each provider, so vigilance and caution are necessary.

Covered	Excluded
Blood tests	Boarding
Cancer (chemo & radiation)	Cremation & burial costs
CT scans	Elective procedures (e.g., declawing, ear cropping, spaying/neutering, tail docking, etc.)
Chronic conditions	Food & supplements
Congenital conditions	Grooming
Emergency care	Pre-existing conditions*
Euthanasia	Pregnancy & breeding
Hereditary conditions	Vaccines
MRIs
Non-routine dental treatment
Prescription medications
Rehabilitation
Specialized exams & care
Surgery & hospitalization
Ultrasounds
X-rays

What Determines The Cost Of Pet Insurance For German Shepherds?

The cost of pet insurance can be confusing. The age of your German Shepherd, your location, each insurance company’s underwriting standards, and other variables all affect the premium for each policy. The following are some basic variables that affect premium pricing.

• The cost of pet insurance is significantly influenced by age. Due to lower health risks, younger dogs have lower premiums, but older dogs cost more to insure.
• Premium pricing is directly impacted by the cost of living in your area. It’s critical to realize that cost fluctuations affect veterinarians just as they do you. Hence, your pet insurance and veterinary expenses will be elevated if your area has a high cost of living.
• The cost of pet insurance is significantly influenced by the breed. Certain breeds are more likely than others to develop health issues. Moreover, purebred dogs tend to have more health problems than mixed breeds, which can drive up the cost of insurance for certain breeds, like German Shepherds.
• Compared to females, male GSDs may cost more for insurance. Why? Because they are larger than females, male dogs need larger doses of medication, larger medical equipment, and more medical supplies. This isn’t a significant factor with every provider, though.

While you can’t control the above factors that influence your policy pricing, you have many customization options to tailor a pet insurance plan to fit your German Shepherd’s needs and your budget. I’ll explain how this all works below.

Customization Options Affect Cost & Benefits

You may be surprised to learn that you have a lot of flexibility to influence the cost of a pet insurance policy. Most providers offer various customizable options, allowing you to tailor your policy to your budget and your pet’s needs. Your first decision is whether to opt for an accident-only or an accident and illness policy. Then, you can adjust your reimbursement percentage, deductible, and maximum payout. Understanding how these choices impact your benefits is crucial, but the flexibility of these policies provides peace of mind.

What Is The Maximum Payout?

The pet insurance industry has two types of payouts, annual and lifetime. The majority of insurers provide annual payouts, with the most common being $5,000, $10,000, or unlimited. A yearly payout is the highest amount the insurance company will reimburse during a policy period. A lifetime cap is the maximum amount the insurer will reimburse over the pet’s insured lifetime.

Pricing Tip – Give careful thought to the payout you choose. Selecting a lesser amount lowers your premium but raises your out-of-pocket costs in the event that your GSD requires costly veterinary care.

Is The Deductible Annual Or Per-Incident?

The deductible is a predetermined amount you must pay before the insurance company reimburses you for the remaining costs of your veterinary bill. Pet insurers offer annual or per-incident deductibles, but most have annual deductibles — standard options are $100, $250, or $500.

What’s the difference between annual and per-incident deductibles? You pay a set amount once a year for an annual deductible, regardless of how many treatments your pet needs. Annual deductibles make it easier to budget for the medical expenses of your pet and may even result in long-term cost savings.

With a per-incident policy, you must cover the deductible for every new emergency or health condition your pup encounters. The downside comes if several different health problems arise for your German Shepherd in a single year — this could become a financial burden. The upside applies to chronic conditions like allergies, diabetes, and arthritis. Why? Per-incident deductibles only require you to pay the deductible once during your pet’s entire insured lifetime.

Pricing Tip – Your monthly premium increases if you select a lower deductible, but that saves you from a larger out-of-pocket expense if your dog needs medical attention.

What’s The Reimbursement Percentage?

When you choose a reimbursement rate for your pet insurance, you’re deciding the percentage of vet expenses the provider will cover after you’ve paid your deductible. For instance, if you opt for a 90% reimbursement rate with a $500 deductible, you must pay the first $500 plus 10% of the total vet costs, and insurance will cover the rest. Common reimbursement options include 70%, 80%, and 90%.

Pricing Tip – Although the monthly premium for a policy with a lower reimbursement percentage is less expensive, the out-of-pocket costs for treatment increase.

How Much Is Pet Insurance For A German Shepherd?

Enter your zip code and the information about your German Shepherd below. This helps us find the best deal on pet insurance for your dog. We’ll then provide customized insurance quotes tailored to your GSD from some leading insurance companies. I’ve included some quote comparisons below to give you an idea of the general costs. However, please note that your dog’s insurance price may vary depending on your location and your pet’s specific needs.

According to NAPHIA (North American Pet Health Insurance Association), the average monthly premium for an accident and illness dog insurance policy in the U.S. is $56.30 ($31.94 for cats).

I ran multiple quotes for German Shepherds of varying ages and locations to give you a general idea of policy pricing. These quotes are from the top-rated insurance companies I reviewed above, and they compare similar customization options.

Company	6mo old male 95818 (Sacramento, CA)	1yr old female 14211 (Buffalo, NY)	2yr old male 33604 (Tampa, FL)	5yr old female 79404 (Lubbock, TX)	8yr old male 33604 (Newark, NJ)
	$49.11	$32.30	$32.06	$41.68	$88.79
	$60.59	$47.75	$58.29	$54.39	$143.30
	$52.32*§	$38.37*§	$46.22§	$54.82*§	$86.95†§
	$59.60	$56.63	$45.24	$59.20	$148.45
	$46.60	$55.20	$37.57	$44.87	$92.48
	$40.71	$37.79	$26.00	$34.95	$74.37
	$94.05§	$98.33§	$327.59‡§	$173.85§	$803.22‡§

German Shepherd Insurance Cost: Lowest & Highest Amounts

To provide an additional comparison, I gathered quotes for the monthly premium range for German Shepherd pet insurance from the same top companies. This includes considerations for annual payout, deductible, reimbursement, and add-on options (wellness plans excluded). To illustrate how premiums change according to a dog’s enrollment age, I included two different ages.

Company	2mo old 95818 (Sacramento, CA)	5yr old 95818 (Sacramento, CA)	2mo old 14211 (Buffalo, NY)	5yr old 14211 (Buffalo, NY)	2mo old 33604 (Tampa, FL)	5yr old 33604 (Tampa, FL)	2mo old 79404 (Lubbock, TX)	5yr old 79404 (Lubbock, TX)	2mo old 07108 (Newark, NJ)	5yr old 07108 (Newark, NJ)
	$22-136	$35-$184	$14-$92	$19-$124	$17-$106	$21-$131	$15-$86	$19-$106	$15-$97	$21-$131
	$40-$102	$83-$219	$33-$73	$59-$133	$38-$86	$68-$158	$23-$47	$38-$83	$33-$72	$58-$130
	$35-$69	$51-$101	$32-$52	Uninsurable	$28-$67	$45-$118	$32-$50	$46-$73	$36-$56	$52-$82
	$26-$155	$34-$201	$23-$177	$30-$230	$19-$141	$27-$204	$16-$123	$23-$178	$27-$177	$36-$231
	$23-$181	Uninsurable	$27-$169	$28-$173	$21-$97	$27-$126	$19-$91	$25-$119	$28-$129	$36-$169
	$22-$155	$30-$202	$25-$138	$29-$157	$17-$116	$22-$156	$28-$125	$26-$122	$23-$116	$27-$135
	$56-$235	$97-$423	$52-$217	$89-$387	$135-$251	$290-$536	$53-$220	$104-$456	$135-$251	$290-$536

What Are Waiting Periods For German Shepherd Pet Insurance?

The waiting period, which is the time between enrolling in an insurance policy and the commencement of coverage, varies depending on the provider. Typically, there are waiting periods of 0 to 15 days for accidents and 14 days for illnesses. Additionally, some insurance companies impose waiting periods for orthopedic conditions such as hip dysplasia and CCL injuries, which Shepherds are more predisposed to experiencing.

How Does Pet Insurance For German Shepherds Work?

Once your policy’s waiting periods are over, the process for using your pet insurance is very straightforward.

1. When your German Shepherd receives treatment, pay your vet bill.
2. Submit a claim form and an itemized receipt to your insurance company. Some companies require a signature from your vet, so you may need to bring a copy of your claim to your vet appointment.
3. Once the insurance company approves your claim, you will receive reimbursement* via your chosen payment method (check, direct deposit, etc.).

* Depending on the company’s stated processing time and your claim’s complexity, the reimbursement timeline can vary from a few minutes to a few weeks.

16 Common Health Issues In German Shepherds

German Shepherds generally have a lifespan of 10-13 years. However, like all purebreds, they’re more prone to specific health issues due to genetics and other factors. Being informed about potential health issues and associated costs can help you decide if pet insurance is necessary for your pup.

1. Allergies are chronic conditions that can require various treatment options depending on their severity. Allergies can cause recurring skin conditions, such as canine atopic dermatitis, bacterial infections, and hot spots. Allergy testing, shots, medication, specialty diets, creams, and more can cost hundreds of dollars annually.
2. Hip and elbow dysplasia occur when the joints become too loose, causing pain and lameness. Surgery, which ranges from $1,700 to $4,500 or more, is frequently required to improve the quality of life.
3. GSDs are at a higher risk of gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), also called canine bloat, than many other breeds. This life-threatening condition occurs when dogs eat too fast or too much, causing the stomach to expand and twist. GDV requires immediate emergency treatment, which can cost $3,000 or more.
4. Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries commonly occur in GSDs due to their size and high energy levels. CCL injuries cause the knee joint to break down, tear, or, in some cases, completely rupture). Usually, orthopedic surgery is required to fix a CCL injury in dogs, and costs range from $1,600 to $6,000 or more.
5. Out of all breeds, GSDs have the highest risk of developing degenerative myelopathy (DM). DM is a neurological disease that causes progressive weakness and loss of function in the hind legs. Onset is typically at 5 years or older. Palliative treatment to slow DM’s progression, such as physical therapy and dietary supplements, can cost $500 or more per month.
6. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) occurs when the discs between a dog’s vertebrae move into the spinal canal. Diagnosing and treating IVDD can include X-rays, CT, MRI, medication, surgery, frequent vet visits, alternative therapy, hospital stays, and more. You could face $3,000 to $8,000 in vet bills.
7. Perianal fistula, also known as anal furunculosis, is a disease that causes the skin around the anus to become inflamed, ulcerated, and extremely painful. Medication (usually required long-term) runs $200 to $500 a month. Surgical intervention can cost $2,000 to $5,000.
8. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) occurs when a GSD cannot produce an adequate amount of pancreatic enzymes to digest carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Treatment involves lifelong prescription enzyme replacement therapy, which ranges from $500 to more than $3,000 per year.
9. Hemangiosarcoma is a type of skin cancer that grows in the cells that line blood vessels. Treatment is typically tumor removal and chemotherapy, both of which can be extremely costly. Surgery to remove the tumor can start at $1,500, and chemo treatment can range from $200 to $5,000.
10. Like other large breeds, GSDs are prone to heart problems, including enlarged hearts, heart murmurs, and valve diseases. These conditions can cause your GSD to suffer cardiac arrest and require life-saving emergency surgery. Surgery can cost $10,000 or more depending on the severity of the disease and any complications suffered.
11. Epilepsy is an inherited disorder in which your dog experiences uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the brain, which causes seizures. Depending on the drug choice, you could be facing around $500 a year or more on medication alone. Initial diagnostic testing is also an expense to consider.
12. Arthritis, a chronic, degenerative joint disease, can cost GSD owners anywhere from $100 to $500 or more each month to treat for moderate cases. Treatment options include medication and physical or alternative therapies. Surgery may be required in severe cases, which costs thousands of dollars.
13. Pannus (chronic superficial keratitis) is a type of corneal inflammation that affects both eyes and is primarily found in German Shepherds over 2 years of age. Lifelong prescription steroid drops may help (at an estimated $80 per month), which is the typical treatment. In severe cases, panniculectomy surgery is required, costing between $8,500 and $15,000.
14. The German Shepherd is at risk of several other eye concerns, including progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts. The average cost of a simple eye exam accompanied by a course of antibiotic drops is approximately $100. Unfortunately, surgery is required to fix cataracts, which is expensive, averaging $2,600-$3,800. Unfortunately, PRA is untreatable.
15. Young German Shepherds are frequently afflicted with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), an inherited developmental disorder. OCD happens when cartilage in a joint—usually the ankle, knee, or shoulder—separates from the bone. The cost of a diagnosis and surgery may exceed $4,000.
16. Large, quickly growing breeds such as GSDs are susceptible to panosteitis, an excruciatingly painful inflammation of the shaft of one or more long leg bones. X-rays are necessary for diagnosis. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are used in treatment until the illness heals on its own, which may take up to two and a half years. Repeat X-rays are frequently required. A complete course of treatment for this condition may cost $1,500 or more.

Is Pet Insurance Worth It For German Shepherds?

Considering the likelihood of costly health issues in this breed, it’s crucial to have pet insurance for German Shepherds. By getting pet insurance, you can ensure that your purebred GSD has the longest and healthiest life possible. It’s important to enroll your dog before any medical emergency or inherited condition arises. Please note that coverage for any pre-diagnosed medical condition is not guaranteed, so it’s vital to insure your dog as soon as possible.

5 Steps To Find The Best Pet Insurance For German Shepherds

Here are the most important factors to consider when selecting the best insurance policy for your German Shepherd.

1. Learn about the insurance companies’ reputations. Companies with years of experience are more stable than brand-new insurers.
2. Consider the health issues GSDs can potentially face and familiarize yourself with the terms associated with coverage for those conditions.
3. Decide if you want accident-only or accident and illness coverage.
4. Know how claim reimbursement works and each provider’s average processing time.
5. Get pet insurance quotes from at least three companies to compare pricing.

Methodology

To determine the best pet insurance for German Shepherds, we analyzed more than 40 U.S. pet insurance companies to provide an unbiased breakdown of how providers compare against one another. Our in-depth research includes:

• Running thousands of price quotes
• Reading hundreds of customer reviews
• Scrutinizing every policy from top to bottom and reading all the fine print
• Scoping out the purchase process
• Speaking with customer service representatives
• Having firsthand experience submitting claims with companies
• Comparing plan customization details
• Examining how long it takes to receive reimbursement
• Factoring in company history and years in the pet insurance marketplace
• Meeting with company representatives to discuss changes related to the industry, their company, and their offerings
• Requiring national experience for companies

Unlike many other review sites, we refuse to let pet insurance companies pay for the top spot in our rankings. Companies must earn their position in our comparisons by performing well in the marketplace. We also point out each company’s pros and cons in light of their competitor’s strengths. In doing so for over a decade, we’ve helped pet parents make more educated decisions among the top pet insurance options. Pet insurance providers read our reviews, regularly check them for accuracy, and value our input to help create positive industry changes and better protect your pets. We only recommend the best of the best because it’s what our readers deserve.

Additional Pet Insurance Resources

• Best Pet Insurance
• Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
• What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
• How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
• Best Pet Insurance For Pre-Existing Conditions

Why Trust Canine Journal?

Canine Journal has been covering the topic of pet insurance since 2012, well before other conglomerates discovered the rising popularity of health care for our pets. Many of our authors have personal experience with pet insurance, including Kimberly Alt, who has been Canine Journal’s go-to writer for pet insurance for over a decade, having written about nearly every possible facet related to pet insurance. Kimberly knows the subject so well that she can answer a breadth and depth of pet insurance questions immediately. And on the rare occasion she doesn’t know the answer off the top of her head, she can find it within minutes due to her vast list of resources. Kimberly also has extensive knowledge of dog health conditions, which can help her recommend pet insurance providers to pet owners with specific breeds.

Kimberly collaborated with Sally Jones, a seasoned health sciences communications professional with decades of experience. Sally specializes in dog health and is adept at producing content on technical topics such as pet insurance. Her wealth of knowledge and insight played a crucial role in this article’s thorough research and composition.

Kimberly also consulted with Michelle Schenker, Canine Journal’s in-house licensed insurance agent, for additional expertise to ensure accuracy and give Canine Journal the authority to write about and assist readers in purchasing policies that are accurately represented.