Larger dogs mean larger dog food bills and sometimes, more health problems. Anyone that is considering getting a Great Dane should know that this is one of the larger dog breeds and does come with some health risks and normal problems. While these are not so serious to keep you from getting one of these gentle giants, they can be costly especially for older dogs. Here are some of the general health basics that you should be aware of when owning a Great Dane:



Great Danes actually have a very slow metabolism when compared to smaller breeds, which means that they consume less food per pound than smaller dogs. While this can result in less energy, it can also cause them to be extremely picky about their foods. Since Great Danes are known for their unique personalities, you may have to try several different dog foods until you find the one that your Dane prefers. You will also need to make sure your Dane gets plenty of exercise and encourage them to run or play with you daily.



Another serious health problem that plagues Great Danes is something called gastric dilatation-volvulus, or GDV, which is basically a very painful distending or twisting of their stomachs. GDV is actually a very critical condition that affects most deep-chested dog breeds and can cause a painful death in your pet if it is not addressed with a vet quickly. While this can sometimes just happen without warning, drinking too much water in too short a time period can actually jump start GDV in Great Danes. So, you should talk with your vet about having your Dane’s stomach tacked to their abdominal wall (called Gastropexy) if their breeding line has a history of this problem. You can also place their food dish up on a stool or just up off the floor to prevent too much air from being ingested while they eat. And, some vets will recommend that you not allow your pet to get too much activity right before, or right after, meals. Talk with your vet about the specific signs of this problem that you should keep an eye out for.



One other common problem in Great Danes, and many larger breeds, is hip dysplasia. This is a very serious condition as well as it can damage their hip joints that will make any type of movement very painful for your pet. Your vet can actually tell if your Dane will be at high risk for hip dysplasia by simply looking at an x-ray of the parents’ hips.



If you have concerns about any of these problems, or other more rare issues that can affect Great Danes, be sure to talk to your vet about treatment options and how these health issues affect their overall lifespan.