What Is The Average Cost Of Spaying Or Neutering Your Pet At The Vet?

One of the smartest decisions you can make as a dog or cat parent is ensuring you neuter or spay them. That's not just to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Spaying and neutering provides animals with health benefits, including decreased risk of developing certain diseases. Per the American Veterinary Medical Association, research from Banfield's Pet Hospital found both neutered male and spayed female cats have longer life spans than felines who aren't sterilized.

However, like many other things associated with our pets, spaying and neutering comes at a cost. Based on CareCredit estimates, the average price for spaying or neutering in the U.S. can range from $160 to $220. There are many variables that can influence this price, including your pet's breed, sex, size, and the facility where they're having the procedure done.

Spaying typically costs more than neutering because it involves invasive surgery on the female reproductive organs. Per Forbes, the price for spaying a dog ranges from as little as nothing (when performed at a low cost clinic) to as high as $600 if performed at a private practice vet. These costs typically include anesthesia and pain medication for your pet. However, vets often charge a higher premium because of the professional's level of expertise. And the fees don't stop there. You'll likely have to pay more for meds to care for your pet at home after spaying or neutering them.

Perhaps you've received a quote from your vet for your dog's or cat's surgical procedure that's much higher than you can currently afford. Many pet owners find themselves in this position, but there are several solutions that can help alleviate the financial burden. Some veterinarians may accept CareCredit as a form of payment. This credit card allows qualified pet owners to make interest-free payments on their pets' veterinary expenses, including spaying and neutering, for a set period of time. Although CareCredit won't discount the cost of the procedures, it offers flexible financing options that allow you to make monthly payments.

You can also consider looking to places outside of a traditional vet office. Many U.S. states have low-cost spay and neuter clinics that will provide the service at a discounted price. The ASPCA and Humane Society, for instance, offer low-cost spay and neuter services. In some cases, they may even spay or neuter your cat for free. Additionally, some local shelters may include the spay and neuter as part of their adoption fee. Other animal nonprofits offer discounted sterilizations thanks to city funding and volunteer donations, allowing them to spay or neuter as well as vaccinate and microchip a pet for $20.