First off, thank you for making a responsible decision. Spaying or neutering is an important part of dog parenthood. While these procedures remove your dog’s reproductive organs, they also help you avoid accidentally becoming a grandparent. (And, if you got your pup from a breeder, a potential $2,000 per puppy charge.)
How much a spay or neuter will costs depends on where you live, the size of your dog, and the clinic you go to. Most private clinics will provide an estimate, while public programs have a fixed price for low-income folks. Depending on your dog’s weight and the clinic, the average total cost for a spay or neuter can be anywhere from $340 to $1,500, according to Rover’s cost of dog parenthood research. Keep in mind that the base price of spaying and neutering might not include additional expenses, like a veterinarian’s exam or pre-anesthetic bloodwork.
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
The cost of spaying or neutering your dog mainly depends on where you take them for their surgery — such as a private vet practice or a low-cost clinic.
To determine the average cost of spaying and neutering nationwide, we looked at services in the states with the highest number of pet owners.
| Clinic/Vet | Base Cost: Spay | Base Cost: Neuter |
| Income assistance or voucher program | $0-$50 | $0-$50 |
| Low-cost spay/neuter clinic | $40-$100 | $40-$100 |
| SPCA/Humane Society | $80-$375 | $75-$270 |
| Private vet practice | $262-$578 | $196-$470 |
| Shelter adoption fee | $35-$767 | $35-$767 |
But some locations might include more services in the overall price. For example, if you adopted your dog from a shelter, the cost of spaying or neutering might be included in your adoption fees, along with other expenses, like vaccines and a microchip. On the other hand, a mobile spay/neuter program may not be able to address complications post-surgery where as a private clinic can.
Note: While spaying or neutering isn’t usually an emergency situation, some dogs may need the surgery if they’re suffering from an infection in their reproductive organs, like pyometra. A trip to the emergency vet can cost between $150-$1,200, depending on your dog’s situation.
Additional Factors That Increase Spay or Neuter Costs
Beyond your dog’s sex, other factors might affect the overall price of their spay or neuter surgery, such as:
- Size: Spaying can be more difficult in large or overweight dogs. Bigger dogs also require more anesthesia, which could affect the overall cost.
- Age: Younger dogs or puppies are often smaller than older dogs. And as you’ve just learned, smaller dogs require less anesthesia. Most vets recommend spaying or neutering your dog around six months or before their first heat.
- Certain medical conditions: If your dog has a medical condition such as cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) their surgery may be more complicated than usual, which could affect the overall cost.
Additionally, make sure you discuss any other services the procedure will cover. Dr. Preston Turano, veterinarian with AKC pet insurance, recommends checking to see if your dog’s spay or neuter will include:
- Pre-op blood work
- Pain medications
- Anesthetic monitoring equipment
- An intravenous (I.V.) catheter and fluids
While they may increase the overall cost, these are all things that help make the surgical procedure safer for your pet, Turano explains.
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Why Is Spaying More Expensive Than Neutering?
You might have noticed that spaying, or removing the uterus and ovaries from a female dog, costs more than neutering — removing the testes from a male dog.
Spaying a female dog is often more expensive because it requires abdominal surgery that is more complicated and time-consuming, say Turano. Neutering a male dog doesn’t require entering the abdominal cavity. So, the procedure usually doesn’t take as long, he adds.
Oh, and don’t worry that neutering will make your male dog “less of a boy.” Dogs don’t have any concept of masculinity. However, a neutered dog may be less likely to display aggressive or territorial tendencies, like fighting with other males or urine marking.
More potential benefits of spaying and neutering your dog include:
- Potentially preventing reproductive cancers: Spayed female dogs may be less likely to contract mammary cancer, while neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer for male dogs.
- Stopping heat: For female dogs, spaying can keep them from going into heat cycles and stop unwanted behavior like yowling and crying — and keep your couch safe from bloody discharge.
- Controlling pet overpopulation: According to the Humane Society, 390,000 dogs are euthanized in U.S. shelters every year. Spaying and neutering can eliminate the chance for your dog to procreate and help prevent more dogs from dying in shelters.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Neutering or Spaying?
Most pet insurance plans don’t cover spaying and neutering. But some pet insurance companies, like Lemonade, offer a “wellness plan” that grants pet parents a stipend toward spay or neuter surgeries. Keep in mind these benefits are often an additional cost. To get a sense of how much pet insurance costs with spay and neuter benefits, you’ll need to visit Lemonade directly.
Remember that pet insurance is a long-term investment that comes with regular monthly premiums. It can be a smart choice for lots of reasons—but you’ll want to weigh your options carefully and decide if pet insurance is worth it to you before you commit.
If your pet insurance policy covers spaying and neutering, you should also verify that they’ll cover any potential complications that arise from the procedure — such as if your dog has a bad reaction to anesthesia.
While complications are rare in healthy adult dogs, some dogs are more vulnerable to adverse effects from anesthesia, which can run the gamut from mild vomiting to strokes. If you want pet insurance coverage, you’ll need to plan in advance as pet insurance plans may have long waiting periods before they are in effect.
What Are My Low Cost or Free Options?
If getting your dog spayed or neutered at a private clinic puts undue stess 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 their funding from donations or other community support.
States with referral programs that provide free spay and neuter services include:
- California: Some clinics, such as the Los Angeles ASPCA provide free spay/neuter services for qualifying residents.
- Massachusetts: Provides vouchers for free spay or neuter procedures for low-income residents.
- Maryland: Provides free spay and neuter services for qualifying pet owners.
- New Mexico: Has free and low-cost options available.
Other states that offer low-cost referral programs include:
However, these clinics may not include the same level of post-operative care as a private clinic. That’s why it’s important to verify the care your dog will receive beforehand.
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 low-cost clinic or non-profit association.
You can find low-cost spay or neuter services in your area with sites such as:
Benefits of Spaying & Neutering
Ultimately, spaying and neutering can help improve your dog’s behavior and avoid the development of reproductive cancers. This procedure can also save you the worry of finding safe and loving homes for a litter of puppies. Dog parents have also reported a cessation in roaming at night or urine-marking of belongings.
When it comes to spaying and neutering your dog, it’s OK to shop around until you find the right price for your budget. While you wait for your dog to get fixed, you can practice responsible pet parenthood by making sure your dog is always on a leash, doesn’t greet unknown dogs, and stays inside when they are in the peak of heat.
Pro-Tip: Avoid boarding your pet with other dogs until they are spayed or neutered. Once this step is complete, it’s much safer for dogs to enjoy a stay with other canines in the home of a loving pet sitter.
However, don’t wait too long either. No matter where you choose to have your dog spayed or neutered, remember that the cost of surgery is a small price to pay for their overall well-being.
