MyHow Much Does Spaying and Neutering Cost
Spaying a dog in the US costs about $300 to $800 in 2026, and neutering a dog costs about $200 to $500. Spaying a cat costs about $200 to $400, and neutering a cat costs about $100 to $300. Low cost clinics and animal shelters often charge much less, about $50 to $150 for a cat and $75 to $250 for a dog. The final price depends on your pet's weight, age, sex, health, and where you live. A large dog in a city clinic costs more than a small dog in a rural clinic.
Spaying means removing the ovaries and usually the uterus of a female pet, so she cannot have puppies or kittens. Neutering means removing the testicles of a male pet, so he cannot father puppies or kittens. Both are routine surgeries done under general anaesthetic, and most pets go home the same day. People also call neutering getting a dog fixed, and in Semrush in Nov 2026 that phrase had 1,300 searches a month in the US at KD 2 percent, while how much does spaying a dog cost had 2,400 searches a month at KD 9 percent and a CPC of $2.85. Cat owners ask the same question in large numbers too, with how much does it cost to get a cat spayed at 2,400 searches a month and how much does it cost to get a cat neutered at 1,900 searches a month. This page answers all of them with real price ranges, not one number presented as a fact.
Every price here is a range checked in Nov 2026. Published sources disagree because the price depends on weight, on the clinic, and on what is included. Some quotes include pain medicine, a cone collar and a follow up visit, and some do not. Always ask for a written estimate that lists what is included, and ask what follow up care will cost if your pet needs it.
Spaying and neutering cost by pet
| Pet | Private vet in the US | Low cost clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Female dog, spay | $300 to $800 | $75 to $250 |
| Male dog, neuter | $200 to $500 | $75 to $200 |
| Female cat, spay | $200 to $400 | $50 to $150 |
| Male cat, neuter | $100 to $300 | $50 to $125 |
| Typical range, most pets | $100 to $800 | $50 to $250 |
Female surgery costs more than male surgery because it is a longer operation inside the abdomen. Large dogs cost more than small dogs because they need more anaesthetic and more medicine. A dog over 25 kg often costs $100 to $200 more than a small dog at the same clinic. Cats cost less than dogs because they are smaller and the surgery is shorter.
How much does spaying a dog cost
Spaying a female dog in the US in 2026 costs about $300 to $800 at a private vet. A small dog under 10 kg often costs $300 to $500. A medium dog of 10 to 25 kg often costs $400 to $650. A large dog over 25 kg often costs $500 to $800, and a very large dog over 40 kg can cost $700 to $1,000 at a city clinic. The price usually includes the anaesthetic, the surgery, pain medicine for a few days, and a cone collar. Blood tests before surgery often cost $50 to $150 extra, and many vets recommend them for older dogs or for dogs with health problems. A microchip fitted at the same time costs about $25 to $75.
Age matters too. A puppy of 6 months often costs less than an adult dog, because the surgery is simpler and recovery is faster. A dog that is already in heat, or pregnant, costs more, because the surgery takes longer and carries more risk. Ask your vet about timing before your dog's first heat if you can, and ask what the price includes. Our guide How Much Does a Puppy Cost in the First Year includes spaying and neutering in the first year budget.
How much does neutering a dog cost
Neutering a male dog in the US in 2026 costs about $200 to $500 at a private vet. A small dog often costs $200 to $350. A medium dog often costs $250 to $400. A large dog often costs $350 to $500, and a very large dog can cost $500 to $700. Neutering is a shorter operation than spaying, which is why it costs less. If a testicle has not dropped, the surgery is more complex and costs more, often $400 to $800, because the vet must search inside the abdomen.
Some owners also ask about a gastropexy, a preventive stomach surgery, at the same time as neutering for large deep chested breeds such as German Shepherds and Great Danes. It adds about $400 to $1,000 to the bill, and it can save the dog from bloat, a life threatening stomach condition. Ask your vet whether it is worth it for your breed. See our German Shepherd cost guide for a breed where bloat is a real risk.
How much does it cost to get a cat spayed or neutered
Spaying a female cat in the US in 2026 costs about $200 to $400 at a private vet, and neutering a male cat costs about $100 to $300. Low cost clinics often do a cat spay for $50 to $150 and a cat neuter for $50 to $125. Many shelters include spaying or neutering in the adoption fee, so a rescue cat may already be done when you bring it home. Check before you book, so you do not pay twice.
Cats are usually spayed or neutered at about 5 to 6 months old, before the first heat. A female cat in heat, or pregnant, costs more, and a cat with health problems may need blood tests first. Kittens recover fast, often back to normal in 2 to 3 days, while adult cats take a little longer. Keep your cat indoors for 10 to 14 days after surgery, check the wound daily, and use a cone if your vet advises it. Our Maine Coon cost guide and Persian cost guide both include spaying or neutering in the first year tables.
What affects the price
Weight is the biggest factor for dogs. More weight means more anaesthetic, more medicine, and a longer surgery. Location is the next biggest factor. A vet in New York, London or another large city charges more than a vet in a small town, often by $100 to $300 for the same surgery. The clinic type matters too. A private vet charges more than a low cost clinic or a shelter clinic, but the private vet may include more in the price, such as blood tests, pain medicine, and a follow up visit. Age and health matter as well. An older pet, or a pet with a heart or kidney problem, needs blood tests and extra monitoring, which adds $50 to $200 to the bill.
Ask these questions before you book. What is included in the price. Does it include pain medicine for home use. Does it include a follow up visit. Is there a charge for blood tests. What happens if my pet needs extra care overnight. A cheap quote that excludes pain medicine and a follow up visit can cost more in total than a higher quote that includes everything.
Low cost spaying and neutering
If the private vet price is too high, you have options. Animal shelters and rescue groups often run low cost clinics, and some run free days for cats. Your local council, humane society, or pet charity may have a voucher scheme. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and local shelter groups list low cost clinics by state. In the UK, the PDSA, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Cats Protection offer low cost or free neutering for owners on low incomes, and many vets offer payment plans. A low cost clinic uses the same surgery and the same anaesthetic as a private vet, and the vets who work there do the operation many times a week. Ask what is included, because some low cost clinics charge extra for pain medicine or a cone collar.
Do not delay the surgery because of cost without asking for help first. An unplanned litter of puppies or kittens costs far more than the surgery. One litter of 6 puppies needs food, vaccines, vet checks, and homes, and the total often runs to $1,000 or more. One litter of kittens is cheaper but still costs hundreds in food and vet care. Spaying or neutering also avoids the cost of a dog in heat, which can mean extra cleaning, extra vet visits, and the risk of an unplanned mating.
Recovery and aftercare cost
Most pets recover at home in 10 to 14 days. The aftercare cost is small if recovery goes well. A cone collar costs $10 to $25 if it is not included. Pain medicine is usually included for 3 to 5 days. A follow up visit is often free or costs $30 to $60. If the wound opens, or your pet gets an infection, a return visit and antibiotics cost about $50 to $200. Keep your pet calm, stop them licking the wound, and keep a dog on a lead for short walks only for the first week. A cat should stay indoors and should not jump or climb for 10 to 14 days. These simple steps keep the aftercare cost low and avoid a second surgery.
Is spaying or neutering worth the cost
For most pets, yes. Spaying a female dog or cat avoids the cost and risk of pregnancy, and it reduces the risk of some cancers and infections. Neutering a male dog or cat reduces roaming, spraying, and some aggressive behaviour, and it avoids the cost of unplanned litters. The surgery pays for itself in the first year if it prevents one unplanned litter. Talk to your vet about the best age for your breed, because large breed dogs are sometimes done later than small breed dogs, at 12 to 18 months, to protect joint growth. Your vet knows your pet, and their advice on timing is worth more than a general rule on a website.
Spaying and neutering cost in the UK
In the UK in 2026, spaying a dog costs about £200 to £500, and neutering a dog costs about £150 to £350 at a private vet. Spaying a cat costs about £80 to £200, and neutering a cat costs about £60 to £150. Low cost clinics and charities often charge £30 to £80 for a cat and £75 to £200 for a dog. London and the south east are the most expensive regions. Ask your vet for a written estimate, and ask about charity help if you are on a low income, because several UK charities help with the cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does spaying a dog cost in 2026?
About $300 to $800 in the US at a private vet, and about $75 to $250 at a low cost clinic. Large dogs cost more than small dogs, and city clinics cost more than rural clinics.
How much does it cost to get a cat neutered?
About $100 to $300 in the US at a private vet, and about $50 to $125 at a low cost clinic. A female cat spay costs more, about $200 to $400 at a private vet.
What is the cheapest way to spay or neuter a pet?
Ask a local shelter, rescue group, or low cost clinic. Many run clinics at $50 to $250, and some offer free days for cats. Charities in the UK, such as the PDSA and Cats Protection, help owners on low incomes.
How long does recovery take?
Most pets are back to normal in 10 to 14 days. Kittens and puppies recover fastest, often in 2 to 3 days. Keep your pet calm, check the wound daily, and follow your vet's advice on exercise and bathing.
Does the price include pain medicine?
Usually, yes, for 3 to 5 days at home, but not always. Ask before you book, because a quote without pain medicine looks cheaper and can cost more in total once medicine and a follow up visit are added.
Related guides and calculators
Sources and how we priced this
Prices in this guide are ranges, not single facts, because published sources disagree. We used the American Pet Products Association 2025 and 2026 industry figures, Rover 2026 cost of dog ownership reports, the PDSA PAW Report and PDSA cost guides for the UK, the American Animal Hospital Association and the National Research Council feeding guidance, and published insurer and vet price lists in the US and the UK. All prices were checked in Nov 2026 and are shown in US dollars unless a UK section says pounds. Where a source gave one number, we widened it into a range to reflect size, breed and location.