Explore dog hip replacement surgery costs, financing options, and monthly payment plans to help manage veterinary expenses for hip surgery and recovery.
Last updated October 2026
Dog hip replacement surgery can cost approximately $3,500 to $15,000 or more per hip, based on published estimates. At the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center, the procedure is listed at $8,500 to $10,000, with consultation, diagnostic testing, and follow-up examinations bringing the estimated total to approximately $11,700 to $13,900.
Total hip replacement (THR) replaces a damaged hip joint with artificial components to help relieve pain and improve mobility. It may be recommended for dogs with severe hip dysplasia or arthritis when nonsurgical treatment has not provided adequate relief.
Unlike many emergency veterinary procedures, hip replacement is often scheduled in advance, so owners may have time to review insurance coverage, request a detailed estimate, and compare financing options before surgery.
Published prices for canine total hip replacement differ considerably, with estimates ranging from approximately $3,500 to more than $15,000 per hip, according to Lemonade. The total depends on the hospital, region, implant system, and services included.
The University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center provides an example of how consultation, surgery, and follow-up appointments contribute to the total cost:
| Stage of Care | Listed Cost | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Preoperative consultation and testing | $2,000 to $2,500 | Physical examination, gait assessment, imaging, and laboratory tests used to evaluate surgical suitability |
| Hip replacement surgery | $8,500 to $10,000 | Hip replacement surgery and the hospital stay included in this provider’s estimate |
| Follow-up exams | $600 to $700 each | Two recheck appointments after surgery |
| Estimated total | About $11,700 to $13,900 | Estimated cost for one hip, excluding separately billed rehabilitation or treatment of complications |
This example is based on published pricing from the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center and includes two follow-up appointments. It is not a national average or a quote for your dog. Other hospitals may bundle diagnostic testing, hospitalization, or follow-up care differently. Ask for an itemized estimate that identifies any additional charges for rehabilitation, medications, or complications.
Not every dog with hip disease affecting both sides needs two replacements. VCA Animal Hospitals reports that many dogs with arthritis affecting both hips do well after replacing only one, although some may eventually require surgery on the other.
When both hips are affected, a veterinary surgeon may recommend replacing the more symptomatic hip first and evaluating the dog’s comfort and mobility after recovery. Although a surgeon can assess both hips before treatment, the need for a second replacement may not become clear until after recovery from the first procedure. Ask whether surgery on the second hip is a realistic possibility, along with its likely timing and cost, so you can plan your overall treatment budget.
Several surgical procedures can be used to treat or manage hip dysplasia, but they are appropriate for different ages, stages of joint disease, and treatment goals. A veterinary surgeon considers your dog’s age, skeletal maturity, joint damage, pain, mobility, and overall health when recommending treatment.
| Procedure | Published Estimate | Pricing Basis | Generally Considered For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) | $1,000 to $5,000 | Per procedure, including X-rays and anesthesia | Very young puppies diagnosed early with hip laxity, before the window for preventive surgery closes |
| Double or triple pelvic osteotomy (DPO/TPO) | From about $3,000 | Starting price for both hips | Selected young dogs with hip laxity and little or no degenerative joint disease |
| Femoral head ostectomy (FHO) | $1,200 to $3,000 or more | Per hip, including anesthesia, surgery, and postoperative care | Dogs for whom removal of the femoral head and neck may provide pain relief; suitability depends on size, activity, and other factors |
| Total hip replacement (THR) | $3,500 to $15,000 or more | Per hip | Appropriate surgical candidates with painful hip disease for whom replacement may improve joint function |
Estimates from Lemonade. Actual costs vary by hospital, region, and your dog’s condition.
These procedures serve different purposes and are not interchangeable. JPS and pelvic osteotomy procedures are generally considered for selected young dogs before significant arthritis develops. Femoral head ostectomy and total hip replacement may be options for dogs with painful, established joint disease, depending on their size, mobility, and other clinical factors. Total hip replacement is generally considered after a dog reaches sufficient skeletal maturity, although the appropriate timing varies by breed, size, and the surgeon’s assessment. A veterinary surgeon can explain which treatment, if any, is appropriate and provide an estimate that includes the procedure, hospitalization, and expected recovery care.
Scheduling and recovery timelines vary by hospital. The University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center, for example, describes a process in which surgery may occur approximately eight to 10 weeks after the initial consultation, followed by hospitalization, a period of restricted activity, and scheduled follow-up examinations. Under that published protocol, dogs may gradually return to normal activities around four months after surgery, depending on their progress. Your surgical team will set the restriction period and follow-up schedule for your dog.
Before surgery, ask when deposits and final payments are due and whether the estimate includes postoperative medications, rehabilitation, and rechecks. Complications can occur after hip replacement, including dislocation, infection, fracture, implant loosening, or nerve injury, so it is also worth asking whether the estimate includes treatment for complications and what additional charges could apply.
Pet insurance may help cover dog hip replacement when the underlying condition is included in the policy. Coverage depends on factors such as waiting periods, pre-existing condition exclusions, deductibles, and reimbursement limits.
Some insurers treat hip dysplasia as a bilateral condition, meaning symptoms in one hip may affect coverage for the other, as Lemonade describes. Others impose additional waiting periods for orthopedic disorders; Embrace, for example, lists hip dysplasia among conditions subject to an extended waiting period under certain policies. If your dog has already been diagnosed with hip dysplasia or arthritis, ask your insurer whether treatment for either hip is eligible.
Many policies reimburse owners after the veterinary bill has been paid, although some insurers offer direct payment arrangements with participating hospitals. Because of that, you may still need to pay the hospital before receiving any reimbursement. Confirm the claims process and expected out-of-pocket costs before scheduling surgery.
Ask the veterinary hospital for a written estimate, the deposit required, and the payment methods it accepts. The most suitable payment option depends on the amount you need to cover, when payment is required, and the rates and terms available to you.
| Payment Option | Potential Advantage | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital-arranged payment plan or financing | May allow payments over time through the hospital or an outside lender it works with | Availability, deposit, interest, and fees |
| Third-party veterinary financing, such as Scratchpay | May offer installment payment options to eligible applicants at participating hospitals | Approval, financing limits, APR, and repayment terms |
| Healthcare credit card, such as CareCredit | Accepted at some specialty veterinary hospitals | Credit limit, promotional terms, and deferred-interest risk |
| Personal loan | May provide a fixed repayment schedule; proceeds can generally be used at hospitals outside a particular financing program | APR, origination fees, and when funds will be available |
| Pet insurance | May reimburse eligible treatment expenses | Exclusions, deductible, reimbursement rate, and payment timing |
| Veterinary assistance programs | Organizations such as RedRover and the Brown Dog Foundation may help qualifying owners with part of the bill | Eligibility, available funding, and application timelines |
Because hip replacement can cost several thousand dollars, one financing option may not cover the full estimate. Before applying, confirm how much the hospital requires before surgery and whether the quoted amount includes follow-up care. If a financing offer does not cover the full estimate, ask whether the hospital accepts more than one payment method. Approval and funding times vary, so compare options early enough to confirm that funds will be available before payment is due.
When comparing promotional offers, a true 0% APR promotion charges no interest during the promotional period. As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains, with deferred-interest financing, failing to pay the promotional balance in full by the deadline can trigger interest calculated from the original purchase date, even if you have already repaid most of the balance.
You can compare prequalified loan offers from lenders in our partner network below. Checking prequalified offers generally involves a soft credit inquiry that does not affect your credit score; a formal loan application may require a hard credit inquiry.
For a $10,000 loan at 13% APR, choosing a 60-month term instead of 36 months reduces the estimated monthly payment from $337 to $228 but increases total repayment by approximately $1,522.
The table shows estimated payments for different loan amounts and repayment terms, assuming a fixed 13% APR and no additional fees.
| Amount Financed | Monthly Payment (36 Months) | Total Repaid (36 Months) | Monthly Payment (60 Months) | Total Repaid (60 Months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,000 | $202 | $7,278 | $137 | $8,191 |
| $10,000 | $337 | $12,130 | $228 | $13,652 |
| $14,000 | $472 | $16,982 | $319 | $19,113 |
Examples assume a fixed 13% APR, no additional fees, and repayment over 36 or 60 months. These are hypothetical calculations, not loan offers. Actual APRs, fees, and terms depend on the lender and your credit profile.
Published estimates range from approximately $3,500 to more than $15,000 per hip. The total depends on the hospital, surgical procedure, and whether diagnostics and follow-up care are included.
Not necessarily. Some dogs with disease in both hips improve enough after one replacement that a second procedure is not needed.
FHO generally costs less, but it is a different procedure with different indications and expected outcomes. A veterinary surgeon can explain whether it is appropriate for your dog.
Some policies cover eligible hip dysplasia treatment, subject to waiting periods, exclusions, and policy-specific rules for bilateral conditions.
Recovery generally involves several weeks to months of restricted activity and follow-up care. Your veterinary surgeon will provide a schedule based on your dog’s progress.
Some providers offer promotional financing, but terms vary. Check whether the offer includes a true 0% APR or deferred interest.
Financing may be available to applicants with lower credit scores, although approval is not guaranteed and borrowing costs may be higher.
Dog hip replacement can involve substantial expenses beyond the surgery itself, including diagnostic testing, hospitalization, and follow-up care. Request a detailed estimate from your veterinary surgeon and confirm whether any additional treatment or rehabilitation will be billed separately.
If you have pet insurance, verify what it covers and when reimbursement may be available. For expenses you plan to finance, compare interest rates, fees, repayment terms, and total borrowing costs, and confirm that funds will be available before the hospital requires payment.
Are you a veterinary practice? See how to offer your clients monthly payment options.
Disclosure: FigCare Pay is not a lender, broker, or credit decision-maker. When you select “View My Offers,” you are redirected to an independent third-party loan marketplace where lenders determine all rates, terms, and approvals; FigCare Pay may receive referral compensation. Prequalification uses a soft credit check with no credit impact, though completing an official loan application may require a hard inquiry. Prequalification does not guarantee approval or the timing of funds. Cost figures shown are estimated examples that vary by hospital, dog, and region and are not a quote. Insurance information is general and depends on your policy terms. This page is general information only and is not veterinary, financial, insurance, or legal advice. Talk with your veterinarian about the right treatment for your dog.
YOUR ESTIMATE
MONTHLY PAYMENT
FigCare Pay supports healthcare businesses through two powerful financing approaches.
Make the cost of healthcare easier to manage with financing options that let you pay over time instead of covering the full cost upfront.
Receive funding directly while your patients manage their payments over time.
Explore financing and payment options for veterinary care, including emergency vet bills, orthopedic surgery, spinal procedures, and other unexpected pet medical expenses.
