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Written byChristy Rakoczy
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Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.
Christy has been a contributor at Insurify since August 2023.
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Edited bySara Getman
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Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
Updated July 9, 2024
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Table of contents
Spaying or neutering a dog has many benefits and is important to keep your pet healthy. Not only does it help pets live longer, but spaying and neutering also reduces cancer risk, prevents infections, and mitigates undesirable behavior. Like most veterinary care, this procedure typically costs money. Depending on the organization or veterinary office you use, you could spend as little as $0 or as much as several hundred dollars.
Here’s what you need to know about the costs of spaying and neutering, factors affecting the price, the health benefits of sterilization, and options for getting affordable care.
Average cost to neuter or spay your dog
The costs to spay or neuter a dog can vary based on many factors, but one of the biggest is what type of provider you visit. The table below shows the average costs of having your animal fixed based on where the procedure is performed.
Spay/Neuter Source ▲▼ | Price ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Local spay and neuter programs | $0–$75 |
| Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) | $87–$387 |
| Humane Society | $100–$150 |
| Private vet office | $200–$500 |
Factors that affect the cost
In addition to the type of provider, some other factors that affect spay and neuter costs include:
Your dog’s age: Spaying or neutering an older pet can be a more complicated procedure, so it’s often more expensive the older your dog is. It can come at a higher cost due to additional development and vascularity of sex organs that occur in a mature animal.[1]
Your dog’s size: Larger dogs require more general anesthesia and more surgical time, so the cost of spaying or neutering is more for larger animals and less for smaller dogs.[2]
Your dog’s breed: A dog’s breed can affect the recommended age of spaying and neutering, which in turn affects the costs of the procedure, as younger animals can often be spayed or neutered for a lower cost.[1]
Your geographic location: Different costs of living in different areas can result in varying fees for spaying or neutering. Government and low-income assistance programs that can bring down the cost are generally more available in urban areas than in rural areas.
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Does pet insurance cover neutering and spaying?
Pet insurance plans typically don’t cover spaying or neutering because companies consider these procedures as elective. Pet insurance policies generally cover unexpected illnesses and accidents, not routine procedures such as spaying and neutering.
But it’s possible that wellness or preventative care policies can cover the cost of spaying or neutering. Pet insurance companies typically sell wellness plans as add-ons to accident and injury coverage. Some companies that offer coverage for spaying and neutering in their wellness plans include the ASPCA, Embrace, Figo, and Spot.
Pet owners purchasing coverage should read the policy terms carefully to determine whether the plan pays for spay and neuter procedures, as well as to determine if it limits reimbursement amounts. This can help you make the best choice about which pet insurance companies to get coverage from.
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Learn More: What Is Emergency Pet Insurance and What Does It Cover?
When you should neuter or spay your dog
Spay and neuter procedures can be performed on dogs when they’re as young as 2 months old, although traditionally, dogs are spayed or neutered when they’re between 4 and 6 months old.[3]
But some evidence suggests that the most appropriate age to perform a spay or neuter surgery can vary by the dog’s breed and gender. The table below shows some sample recommendations for the best time to spay or neuter based on a study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.[4]
▲▼ | Choice ▲▼ | After 6 Months ▲▼ | After 11 Months ▲▼ | After 23 Months ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male |
|
|
|
|
| Female |
|
|
|
|
Spaying or neutering too early can increase the risk of some joint disorders and some cancers. But delaying too long can also increase other cancer risks and potentially lead to unwanted pregnancies or cause behavioral issues. So, it’s important to carefully consider the best age to take your dog for its spay or neuter procedure.[5]
Because this is a major surgery, you also want to ensure your dog is in good health before moving forward.
Of course, if you plan to breed your dog responsibly, you won’t want to spay or neuter your pet. But many shelters and breeders require spaying or neutering as part of your adoption or purchase contract. For example, Pennsylvania law requires sterilization as part of dog and cat adoption agreements.[6]
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Learn More: How Much Is a Golden Retriever?
Benefits of spaying or neutering your dog
Spaying or neutering your dog has plenty of advantages for both your pet and the animal population as a whole. Here are some of the biggest benefits of this procedure.
Health benefits
Benefits of spaying and neutering can include a reduced chance of certain health issues. Here are some of the medical benefits for your dog when you spay or neuter them:[3]
Prevention of uterine infections
Reduced risk of cancerous breast tumors
Prevention of prostate problems
Prevention of testicular cancer
Unwanted pregnancies
Spaying and neutering can eliminate the risk of unwanted pregnancies in animals. Not only is this important for keeping your pet healthy, but it also helps counter overpopulation and keeps animals out of overcrowded shelters. If animals aren’t able to find a home, shelters may have to euthanize them. Spaying and neutering reduce the stray population, which can reduce euthanasia.[7]
Behavioral improvements
Spaying and neutering can also help improve your pet’s behavior, making it easier for you to train and manage in the home. Some examples of behavioral improvements include:[3]
Decreased roaming
Eliminating yowling and distress while in heat
Decreased aggressiveness in male dogs
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Disadvantages of spaying or neutering
While spaying and neutering are important, it has a few disadvantages to consider. If insurance doesn’t cover it, or you can’t find an affordable provider, it can be a costly procedure.
Neutering is also known to slow metabolism and could contribute to obesity. If done too early in a dog’s life, it can affect the bone growth in large dog breeds and cause knee issues in the future. And it’s associated with increasing fearful behaviors, such as noise phobias. Spaying can cause urinary incontinence in older female dogs.[7] [8]
Despite popular belief, spaying and neutering won’t alter the personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, or playfulness of your dog.
How to lower the cost of neutering or spaying your dog
Since you may need to pay out of pocket to spay or neuter your dog, it can be helpful to look for affordable options. Here’s how you can reduce the cost of spaying or neutering your dog.
Local animal shelters
Many animal shelters offer low-cost or even free spaying and neutering to pet owners who meet certain requirements. The ASPCA and Humane Society are both good places to start, as they may have databases of local animal shelters that provide these services. You can also use the Petco Love database to find an animal shelter near you to inquire about spaying or neutering services.
Special neuter programs
Low-cost spay and neuter programs are also available in many communities. Check out state-funded programs to see if you can get a voucher for the procedure, or research local programs such as the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), which offers services in Texas. The PetSmart Charities program, the ASPCA, and your local humane society can help you find the right type of clinic in your area that offers affordable sterilization for animals.
Veterinary school clinics
Veterinary schools may offer low-cost spaying and neutering for animals as well. For example, the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts provides neutering for just $60 for dogs under 20 pounds. You can use the American Veterinary Medical Association database to find a veterinary school near you.
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Keep Reading: Puppy Vaccination Schedule: What Shots Does Your Puppy Need?
Dog neutering costs FAQs
Learn about determining whether pet insurance is worth it, and check out the answers to common questions about dog spay/neuter costs below.
What is the best age to neuter a male dog?
The best age to neuter a male dog varies depending on breed and size. Large dog breeds should often be neutered later than smaller ones. While small and medium-sized dogs under 45 pounds should be neutered at around 6 months of age, dogs over 45 pounds should usually not undergo the procedure until they’re at least 9 to 15 months old.[3]
Is it more expensive to neuter a male dog or spay a female dog?
Spaying can be more complicated than neutering, so it can be more expensive. But many factors affect costs, including breed, animal size, age, and the location where the procedure is performed. Low-cost spay/neuter clinics or animal shelters may not charge a premium for spaying compared with neutering.
What happens if you don’t neuter your dog?
If you don’t neuter your dog, your dog could face increased risks of prostate problems or testicular cancer. Un-neutered dogs could also be more aggressive and exhibit more roaming behavior, which could lead to unwanted pregnancies.
How much does dog neutering typically cost?
Neutering and spaying costs can range from as little as $0 if you receive the service as part of a government program to as much as several hundred dollars from private veterinary clinics. To keep costs affordable, look for low-cost spay/neuter clinics in your area.
Are there additional costs associated with the neutering procedure?
Some clinics charge a flat rate for all costs associated with the procedure. Others charge additional fees for blood work required prior to surgery, IV fluid administration during the procedure, or oral pain medication to animals to help with pain management afterward.
Sources
- Wellesley Veterinary Clinic. "Potential Health Implications of Early Neutering in Large Breed Dogs."
- Paoli Vetcare. "How Much Does It Cost To Neuter A Dog At A Vet?."
- PetMD. "Spaying and Neutering Dogs 101: Everything You Need to Know."
- Frontiers in Veterinary Science. "Suggested guidelines for age of neutering: 35 breeds."
- AKC Canine Health Foundation. "What is the Best Age to Spay/Neuter Your Dog? It Depends.."
- Pennsylvania General Assembly. "Article IX-A Sterilization of Dogs and Cats."
- VCA Hospitals. "Neutering your pet."
- VCA Hospitals. "Spaying your dog."
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Christy Rakoczy
Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.
Christy has been a contributor at Insurify since August 2023.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.