Dog Spay Cost: $200–$600 by Size and State (2026)
Spaying a female dog costs $200–$600 at a private vet. Small dogs (under 25 lbs) run $200–$350; large and giant breeds $400–$700 due to higher anesthesia requirements. Low-cost clinics run by the Humane Society, ASPCA, or university teaching hospitals charge $50–$200 for the same procedure under licensed supervision.
Cost at a Glance
Dog
$200–$600
Private vet, national avg
Low-cost clinic
$50–$200
SPCA / Humane Society
CA / NY
$260–$810
25–35% above avg
What Affects the Cost
- ▸ Dog size is the biggest cost driver — anesthesia is dosed by weight, and a 90-lb dog needs 3× the dose of a 30-lb dog.
- ▸ Pre-anesthetic bloodwork ($80–$150) is often required for dogs over 5 or dogs with health concerns. Sometimes bundled with the spay.
- ▸ Spaying before the first heat cycle nearly eliminates mammary cancer risk. After two heat cycles, the protective benefit is reduced.
- ▸ If the dog is in heat at the time of surgery, expect a 20–35% surcharge due to increased blood supply to reproductive organs.
- ▸ Low-cost clinics perform the same ovariohysterectomy (OVH) under licensed vet supervision. The trade-off is less equipment for complications and shorter post-op monitoring.
- ▸ Some vets now offer laparoscopic spay (ovariectomy only), which costs 30–50% more but has faster recovery. Not yet widely available.
Cost by State
National average adjusted by state cost-of-living index. Urban areas run ~30% higher than suburban; rural ~25% lower.
| State | Dog | vs. Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $164–$492 | -18% |
| Alaska | $250–$750 | +25% |
| Arizona | $190–$570 | -5% |
| Arkansas | $160–$480 | -20% |
| California | $270–$810 | +35% |
| Colorado | $220–$660 | +10% |
| Connecticut | $250–$750 | +25% |
| Delaware | $210–$630 | +5% |
| Florida | $200–$600 | 0% |
| Georgia | $180–$540 | -10% |
| Hawaii | $280–$840 | +40% |
| Idaho | $180–$540 | -10% |
| Illinois | $210–$630 | +5% |
| Indiana | $176–$528 | -12% |
| Iowa | $170–$510 | -15% |
| Kansas | $170–$510 | -15% |
| Kentucky | $170–$510 | -15% |
| Louisiana | $170–$510 | -15% |
| Maine | $200–$600 | 0% |
| Maryland | $230–$690 | +15% |
| Massachusetts | $260–$780 | +30% |
| Michigan | $180–$540 | -10% |
| Minnesota | $200–$600 | 0% |
| Mississippi | $156–$468 | -22% |
| Missouri | $170–$510 | -15% |
| Montana | $184–$552 | -8% |
| Nebraska | $176–$528 | -12% |
| Nevada | $210–$630 | +5% |
| New Hampshire | $220–$660 | +10% |
| New Jersey | $250–$750 | +25% |
| New Mexico | $176–$528 | -12% |
| New York | $260–$780 | +30% |
| North Carolina | $184–$552 | -8% |
| North Dakota | $176–$528 | -12% |
| Ohio | $180–$540 | -10% |
| Oklahoma | $164–$492 | -18% |
| Oregon | $220–$660 | +10% |
| Pennsylvania | $200–$600 | 0% |
| Rhode Island | $220–$660 | +10% |
| South Carolina | $176–$528 | -12% |
| South Dakota | $170–$510 | -15% |
| Tennessee | $176–$528 | -12% |
| Texas | $184–$552 | -8% |
| Utah | $190–$570 | -5% |
| Vermont | $210–$630 | +5% |
| Virginia | $210–$630 | +5% |
| Washington | $230–$690 | +15% |
| West Virginia | $160–$480 | -20% |
| Wisconsin | $184–$552 | -8% |
| Wyoming | $180–$540 | -10% |
Data: AVMA fee surveys, BLS cost-of-living data. Ranges reflect typical private practice prices — low-cost clinics and university teaching hospitals charge significantly less.
Common Questions
How much does it cost to spay a dog? ▼
When should I spay my dog? ▼
Does dog size affect spay cost? ▼
Related Procedures
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Last updated: January 2025
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