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Guess first: What does the average dog spay cost at a U.S. vet?
The answer: $455.
Source: CareCredit, 2025 Synchrony Average Procedural Cost Study
Average spay and neuter cost
For dogs, the best national numbers come from a 2025 procedural cost study by Synchrony, which CareCredit published in June 2026. It covers all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
| Procedure | National average | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Dog spay (female) | $455 | $361-$829 |
| Dog neuter (male) | $487 | $385-$885 |
Source: CareCredit, 2025 Synchrony Average Procedural Cost Study, Jun 2026.
MetLife Pet Insurance gives a broader range of $300 to $800 for dogs. CareCredit notes that an office visit fee may be charged on top of the surgery price, so the number on the estimate is not always the whole bill.
Cats cost less because they are smaller and the surgery is quicker.
| Cat procedure | Private vet | Low-cost clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Spay (female) | $300-$500 | $50-$150 |
| Neuter (male) | $200-$400 | $35-$150 |
Source: Cats.com, Jun 2026.
Cats.com says low-cost clinics are cheaper partly because they usually skip extras like pre-surgery bloodwork and IV fluids.
Spay vs. neuter: why the prices differ
A spay removes the ovaries and uterus through the abdomen. A neuter removes the testicles and is shorter and less invasive. That is why Cats.com and MetLife both say spays usually cost more, and most clinic price lists, like the ones below, charge more for a spay.
The national dog data is the exception: in CareCredit’s 2025 study, the average neuter ($487) came in about $32 higher than the average spay ($455) (our calculation). Prices vary so much by clinic that the only safe move is to get a written quote for your pet.
What drives the price
Where you live. In CareCredit’s 2025 data, the average dog spay ranged from about $367 in West Virginia to $814 in Hawaii, more than twice as much (our calculation). Massachusetts ($635) and Washington, D.C. ($619) were also near the top.
Your pet’s size and age. MetLife says larger dogs need more anesthesia and more time on the table, which raises the price. Very young or older pets can need extra care.
Complications. Spaying a dog in heat or pregnant is more complex than a routine spay, according to MetLife. Cats.com says a cat found pregnant or in heat during surgery adds cost, and so does a male with an undescended testicle.
What the quote includes. MetLife lists services that some clinics bill separately:
- Pre-surgery exam and bloodwork
- Anesthesia and monitoring
- IV catheter and fluids
- Pain medication, antibiotics or sedatives
- An e-collar to stop licking
Getting an itemized estimate is the easiest way to compare two clinics fairly. If you already know your vet’s exam fee, our guide to vet visit cost shows how it compares.
- West Virginia (lowest)$367
- U.S. average$455
- Washington, D.C.$619
- Massachusetts$635
- Hawaii (highest)$814
Source: CareCredit, 2025 Synchrony Average Procedural Cost Study
Low cost spay and neuter options
Nonprofit and humane society clinics are often far cheaper than private practices, and many bundle in extras. Two examples of real 2025 and 2026 fee schedules:
| Clinic | Cat spay | Cat neuter | Dog spay | Dog neuter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humane Society of Sonoma County (CA) | $150 | $100 | $400 | $300 |
| Hawaiian Humane Society (HI) | $100 | $100 | $200 | $200 |
Source: Humane Society of Sonoma County, prices effective Jul 1, 2026; Hawaiian Humane Society, fees effective Mar 1, 2025.
Both include a pre-op exam, a microchip and a nail trim. Sonoma also includes pain medication and a cone, and Hawaiian Humane includes pain medication for dogs. Some low-cost clinics have limits: Hawaiian Humane does not accept dogs over 60 pounds, and Sonoma’s clinic is aimed at low- to moderate-income families.
Ways to find one near you:
- SpayUSA. The ASPCA points owners to the SpayUSA provider database, plus local shelters and vets.
- Vouchers and certificates. Hawaiian Humane sells $20 certificates to qualifying households, good for one surgery at a participating vet.
- Free programs. Cats.com says some communities run free programs for low-income residents, and trap-neuter-return programs may fix feral cats at no cost.
- Adoption. Shelters and rescues usually fix pets before adoption and include it in the fee.
Does pet insurance pay for it?
Usually not. CareCredit and MetLife both say standard accident and illness plans generally exclude spay and neuter surgery, but some wellness or preventive care add-ons help cover it, often after a waiting period. Our pet insurance cost guide explains what those add-ons cost.
Example: spaying a kitten at a vet vs. a low-cost clinic
Say you adopt a female kitten that has not been spayed and needs her first vaccines.
| Private vet | Humane society clinic | |
|---|---|---|
| Spay | about $400 | $150 |
| Rabies and FVRCP vaccines | not quoted | $30 |
| Microchip, pain medication, cone | often extra | included |
| Total | about $400 plus extras | $180 |
Source: Cats.com private vet range ($300 to $500, midpoint our calculation); Humane Society of Sonoma County fees, Jul 2026. Totals are our calculation.
- The private vet price. The midpoint of Cats.com’s $300 to $500 range is $400 (our calculation), before any separate exam, bloodwork or medication charges.
- The clinic price. Sonoma’s $150 cat spay includes the exam, microchip, pain medication and cone. Two $15 vaccines bring it to $180.
- The difference. That is about $220 less than the private vet midpoint, before the vet’s extras (our calculation).
- The trade-off. Low-cost clinics may skip bloodwork and IV fluids, per Cats.com, and can have waiting lists or income rules. If your kitten has health issues, your regular vet may be the better choice.
How to plan for the cost
Spay or neuter surgery is a one-time bill, so it fits best in the first-year budget for a new pet. Our guides to the cost of owning a cat and the cost of owning a dog show where it lands next to food, vaccines and supplies. If money is tight, call a humane society clinic first, ask about vouchers, and book early, since good low-cost clinics fill up.
See how we research every number on our method page, or browse more pet costs.
Before you book a spay or neuter
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Questions people ask
How much does it cost to spay or neuter a dog?
About $455 for a spay and $487 for a neuter on average, according to a 2025 cost study cited by CareCredit, with typical ranges of $361 to $829 and $385 to $885. MetLife Pet Insurance puts the overall range at $300 to $800. Low-cost clinics usually charge less.
Source: CareCredit, MetLife Pet InsuranceHow much does it cost to spay or neuter a cat?
At a private vet, Cats.com says to expect about $300 to $500 for a spay and $200 to $400 for a neuter. Low-cost clinics charge about $50 to $150 for a spay and $35 to $150 for a neuter. Some shelters include the surgery in the adoption fee.
Source: Cats.comWhy is spaying more expensive than neutering?
A spay is abdominal surgery to remove the ovaries and uterus, while a neuter is shorter and less invasive, so spays usually cost more, according to Cats.com and MetLife. Clinic price lists reflect that, but CareCredit's 2025 study found the national average dog neuter ($487) slightly above the average spay ($455), so always ask for a quote.
Source: Cats.com, MetLife Pet Insurance, CareCreditWhere can I get a low cost spay and neuter?
The ASPCA points owners to the SpayUSA provider database and to local shelters and vets. Humane societies often run their own clinics. Cats.com and MetLife also suggest checking humane societies, shelters and community programs for vouchers.
Source: ASPCA, Cats.com, MetLife Pet InsuranceHow much does a low cost spay and neuter clinic charge?
It varies a lot by area. The Humane Society of Sonoma County charges $150 for a cat spay, $100 for a cat neuter, $400 for a dog spay and $300 for a dog neuter as of July 2026. Hawaiian Humane charges $100 for cats and $200 for dogs. Both include an exam and a microchip.
Source: Humane Society of Sonoma County, Hawaiian Humane SocietyCan I get my pet spayed or neutered for free?
Sometimes. Cats.com says some communities and humane societies run free or low-cost programs for low-income residents, and trap-neuter-return programs may fix feral cats for free. Hawaiian Humane sells $20 certificates to qualifying households that cover the surgery at participating vets.
Source: Cats.com, Hawaiian Humane SocietyDoes pet insurance cover spaying or neutering?
Usually not. CareCredit and MetLife say standard accident and illness plans generally exclude it, but some wellness or preventive care add-ons help pay for it, often after a waiting period.
Source: CareCredit, MetLife Pet InsuranceWhen should you spay or neuter a dog?
MetLife, citing American Animal Hospital Association guidance, says small females (45 pounds or less) are usually spayed at 5 to 6 months and large females by up to 15 months. Small males are usually neutered at about 6 months and large males at 9 to 15 months. Ask your vet about your dog's breed and size.
Source: MetLife Pet Insurance (AAHA guidance)When should you spay or neuter a cat?
Cats.com says the surgery can be done as early as 8 weeks and that all cats should be fixed by 6 months, which for females prevents heat cycles.
Source: Cats.comDoes it cost more to spay a dog in heat or pregnant?
Yes. MetLife says spaying a dog in heat or pregnant is more complex than a routine spay, and Cats.com says finding a cat pregnant or in heat during surgery adds cost. Neutering a male with an undescended testicle also costs more.
Source: MetLife Pet Insurance, Cats.comWhat extra fees should I ask about?
MetLife lists a pre-surgery exam, bloodwork, IV fluids, pain medication, antibiotics and an e-collar as items some clinics charge separately. CareCredit notes an office visit fee may be added on top of the surgery price. Ask for an itemized estimate.
Source: MetLife Pet Insurance, CareCreditWhich states have the most expensive spay and neuter?
Hawaii, at about $814 for a dog spay and $874 for a neuter, followed by Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., in the 2025 study cited by CareCredit. West Virginia had the lowest average dog spay ($367) and Mississippi the lowest neuter ($390).
Source: CareCreditHow long does it take a dog to recover from being spayed or neutered?
Most dogs go home the same day, and MetLife and CareCredit say to limit activity for 10 to 14 days. CareCredit adds no baths or swimming during that time and an e-collar or bodysuit to stop licking the incision.
Source: MetLife Pet Insurance, CareCreditWhat did you pay?
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Sources
Every number above comes from these pages. We list the date each page showed when we checked it.
- CareCredit, How Much Does It Cost to Spay or Neuter a Dog?
- MetLife Pet Insurance, How Much Does It Cost To Spay or Neuter a Dog?
- Cats.com, How Much Does It Cost to Spay or Neuter a Cat?
- Humane Society of Sonoma County, Spay/Neuter Clinic
- Hawaiian Humane Society, Spay and Neuter, Owned Cats and Dogs
- ASPCA, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Programs
Estimates are for general information only. Ask your vet for a written estimate before you decide on care.
Parastoo Parsa is a budget strategist with a background in tourism strategy and cultural heritage. At DollarMap she researches and writes our guides on family life, pets, travel and big celebrations like weddings, turning published prices into budgets you can actually plan with.
“An organized life starts with an organized budget.”
