How Much Does It Cost To Spay or Neuter Your Dog?

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Spaying and neutering are an integral part of dog guardianship. These procedures remove your dog’s reproductive organs and help you avoid accidentally becoming a dog grandparent.

Plus, spaying and neutering can help reduce behavioral issues (like humping), potentially prevent reproductive cancers, stop unwanted behavior during heat cycles (for female dogs), and control pet overpopulation. Evidence even suggests that neutered and spayed dogs live longer.

Spay and neuter costs for dogs will depend on where you live, the size of your dog, and the clinic you go to. Below, discover the average cost to neuter or spay your dog, and learn how you can find low-cost spay and neuter clinics near you.

Nationwide Averages for Dog Spay and Neuter Costs

According to Rover’s cost of dog parenthood research, the average total for a spay or neuter can be anywhere from $250 to $525. Costs vary depending on your particular dog and the type of practice that does the surgery.

For instance, a low-cost spay and neuter clinic will be much more affordable than a private vet practice. Animal shelters run by the local government also often include spaying and neutering as part of the adoption fee, and public programs offer fixed prices for low-income families.

Where you live—in the city, suburbs, or country—will also determine the spay and neuter clinic costs.

Why is spaying more expensive than neutering?

You might have noticed that spaying costs anywhere from $10-$200 more than neutering. That’s because spaying a female dog requires a more complicated and time-consuming surgery, says Dr. Preston Turano, a veterinarian with AKC Pet Insurance.

A typical spay involves removing a female dog’s ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes. Neutering only requires removing a male dog’s testicles, which is a much less invasive procedure.

Additional Factors That Increase Spay or Neuter Costs

Beyond your dog’s sex, other factors can affect how much it costs to get a dog fixed.

Larger dogs: +$50

Bigger dogs require more anesthesia, resources, and time for surgery. While some clinics charge a fixed rate regardless of weight, others add extra costs. You might expect to pay an additional $20 for medium dogs, $30 for large dogs, and $50 for extra-large breeds. 

Puppies: +$0

Since younger pups are often smaller than older dogs, their surgeries typically cost the standard base rate. Adult dogs might see add-ons based on their size (see above). Always check with your vet when deciding the best time to spay or neuter your dog.

Medical conditions: +$50–$175

If your dog is in heat, pregnant, or has a medical condition, their surgery will be more complicated and cost more. The additional cost for a dog in heat is $50, and a pregnant dog is around $150. Dogs with pyometra (uterus infection) will cost an extra $150-$135, and dogs with cryptorchids (undescended testicles) will cost $50-$175 more.

Other services

Before scheduling your pup for surgery, make sure you discuss any other services the procedure will or won’t cover. Dr. Turano recommends checking to see if your dog’s spay or neuter will include “extras” such as:

• Pre-op exam and bloodwork. If not included in total costs, the routine exam and any bloodwork required before surgery will be an extra $60-$100.
• Additional tests. If your dog has a medical condition, the vet might require additional tests before spaying and neutering. These can cost an extra $200-$300.
• An intravenous (I.V.) catheter with fluids. An IV catheter with fluids also helps regulate blood pressure under anesthesia and helps dogs recover faster. It typically costs about $45.
• Special anesthesia. Certain dogs, like flat-faced breeds with narrow airways, need special anesthesia and monitoring. This service can add an extra $50 to total costs.
• Pain medications. Take-home pain medication, sedatives, or antibiotics usually cost $10-$20.
• E-collar. Some clinics may also have a “cone of shame” on-site. These will cost you around $15 (and your dog their pride).

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Does Pet Insurance Cover Neutering or Spaying?

Most standard pet insurance policies won’t cover spay and neuter surgeries since they’re considered an “elective procedure.” However, some providers offer additional “wellness” or preventative add-ons, and these often reimburse you for some or all of a spay/neuter surgery.

To benefit from the coverage, you’ll want to make sure you enroll your pet in a wellness plan before you schedule the procedure.

What Are My Low Cost or Free Options?

If getting your dog spayed or neutered at a private clinic puts undue stress on your budget, you may be able to visit a low-cost spay or neuter clinic or qualify for a low-income program. In some locations, you may even be able to get the procedure for free.

These services are typically run by non-profit or government resources and receive funding from donations or other community support.

States with referral programs that provide free spay and neuter services:

• California connects people to low-cost services via a statewide referral database.
• Massachusetts provides vouchers for free spay or neuter procedures for low-income residents.
• Maryland offers free spay and neuter services for qualifying pet owners.
• New Mexico has free and low-cost options available via Animal Protection New Mexico.
• West Virginia has a statewide spay and neuter hotline to refer residents to low-cost services in their area.
• Alabama offers sponsored programs and voucher partners.
• Delaware has a statewide spay and neuter program for $20.
• Maine offers low-cost programs to residents who can’t afford spaying and neutering.
• Michigan provides financial grants for spay and neuters.
• Vermont has a voucher program to help eligible residents.
• Tennessee provides reimbursement grants for spay and neuter surgeries.

Other ways to find low-cost spay and neuter clinics

If you don’t qualify for an income assistance program, you may still be able to get your pet spayed or neutered at a non-profit association. You can find low-cost spay or neuter services in your area through organizations such as:

• The Humane Society
• United Spay Alliance
• Best Friends
• Animal League America
• PetSmart Charities Database
• SpayUSA
• Friends of Animals

How Safe Is This Procedure?

While complications are rare, spaying and neutering—like any major surgery—comes with risks. For instance, some dogs may be more vulnerable to adverse effects from anesthesia, which can run the gamut from mild vomiting to strokes. Other complications could include hemorrhaging, pain, swelling, infections in the abdomen or by the incision, and urinary incontinence.

Still, spaying and neutering are routine procedures that many dogs tolerate well. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, they’re the most common surgeries veterinarians perform on dogs. So rest assured, your vet knows what they’re doing!

Are low-cost spay and neuter procedures just as safe and effective?

Just because the cost is low doesn’t mean the quality will be too. Clinics that offer these procedures at a low cost or for free are generally reliable and well-trusted. (Think of the ASPCA and its network of vets who have performed millions of these surgeries at successful rates!)

One study in 2017 even looked at the mortality of dogs spayed and neutered at a high-volume/low-cost clinic. Their research found the mortality rate (0.9/10,000) lower than private vet clinics. It was even lower than the mortality rate of female humans undergoing a standard hysterectomy!

At the end of the day, what’s most important is that pet parents have access to services and care to keep their dogs healthy and safe.

Further Reading

• How To Find Low-Cost Pet Vaccinations Near You
• How Much Does Doggy Daycare Cost?
• How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
• How Much Does Dog Training Cost?