Spaying and neutering cats is as commonplace as routine vaccinations, but if you’re new to having a feline friend, you might be wondering how much your wallet will be affected.
Getting your furry friend “fixed” helps prevent unwanted cat pregnancies (and potential health complications) while keeping feral cat populations under control. It also increases your furry friend’s quality of life as a result. Here’s what you need to know about the costs of cat spaying and neutering, and other key considerations as you start your journey of cat ownership.
Let’s get the basics out of the way. Spaying and neutering, aka “fixing” a cat, refers to the surgical procedures of sterilizing your pet. Both neutering and spaying are procedures where the reproductive organs of a cat are removed so you don’t end up with an unexpected litter of kittens.
Spaying refers to the female surgical procedure where the uterus and ovaries are removed, while neuter surgery is the process of removing the testicles of a male cat.
Spaying and neutering are both routine procedures in the pet world. However, spaying a cat tends to take a little longer — and cost more — since it’s a more invasive surgery than neutering.
On average, it may cost pet parents more to spay a cat rather than neuter a cat. This is because spaying is typically a more complicated operation. The average cost to spay a cat is around $300. However, the cost can range anywhere from $50 to $500 depending on a variety of factors and your geographical location.
Here’s a quick run-down of average spaying costs for your cat.
Neutering a cat is a lower cost than spaying. The average cost of a neuter surgery for a male cat ranges anywhere from $25 to $150. Similar to spaying a cat, the cost of neutering can depend on the type of facility — e.g. mobile clinic vs. private veterinary practice.
Often, local humane societies or mobile clinics offer free or low-cost neuter services. These are “no frills” procedures and don’t come with all of the recommended extras — like IV fluids or pre-anesthetic bloodwork that a private veterinary clinic will offer.
Several different factors can play into your service’s end price. These include:
Additionally, if a veterinarian discovers that a female cat is pregnant or in heat during the procedure of being spayed (as sometimes pet owners may not be aware their cat is pregnant), additional costs will be incurred.
👉 Spaying isn’t typically covered by pet insurance for cats because it’s considered an elective procedure. However, many pet insurance providers offer supplemental pet wellness plans to offset the cost of preventive care, which may include spaying or neutering surgeries.
Your local community likely has several charitable organizations that offer subsidized or free spaying and neutering services to individuals who qualify.
Additionally, if you’re adopting a cat from a local animal shelter, the spay or neuter procedure is often included in the adoption fee. Some private rescue groups might also offer spay and neuter programs for free before they are sent to their fur-ever homes.
👉 If you’re looking for low-cost or free spaying and neutering services, the ASPCA offers several resources for pet owners. PetSmart also has a free and low-cost search tool.
There are all kinds of things that can drive the price up or down when getting a cat fixed. To make sure you’re cat has the most comfortable procedure, you may want to consider asking your veterinarian about these extras which may be an additional charge.
Most cat owners elect to get their females spayed to prevent pregnancies and an unintended litter of kittens. Cats reproduce quickly — the average unspayed cat can have up to three litters of kittens in one year, with an average of four kittens per litter.
However, there are some other big benefits of spaying a cat that goes above and beyond the responsibility of reproductive care.
🚨Even if your cat lives exclusively indoors, veterinarians recommend having them spayed between five and fifteen months (Trusted Source) .
Similar to spaying female cats, the most common benefit of neutering male cats is to prevent an unwanted litter of kittens and help control feral cat populations.
However, neutering helps prevent health problems — such as lowering a cat’s risk of testicular cancer and prostate issues. Neutering a cat also helps with behavioral problems, making them less likely to roam, fight, and mark their territory on indoor furniture.
Kittens are, without a doubt, really cute. Who doesn’t love them? However, unless you’re ready to be a full-time kitten wrangler, electing you get your cat spayed or neutered is the 101 of being a responsible cat owner to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
The average cost to neuter a male cat ranges anywhere from $25 to $150.
It’s chapter to neuter a cat as it’s a less invasive surgery. Most neutering costs range from $25 to $150, whereas spaying costs range from $300 to $500. However, there are many low-cost options for both.
Veterinarians will typically suggest the best time for neutering kittens at around five to six months of age. However, Early neutering can be done at approximately six to eight weeks of age. Full-grown adult cats who’ve reached sexual maturity can also be spayed or neutered.
Even if your cat lives exclusively indoors, veterinarians recommend having them spayed between five and fifteen months. Adult female cats can still be spayed.
Most behavior changes in male cats after being neutered are positive, specifically a reduction in unwanted, sexually driven behaviors such as marking territory and roaming. Some male cats tend to gain weight as they age.
