Spay & Neuter Cost: Dog & Cat Prices in 2026
Spaying a dog costs $200–$600 at a private vet; neutering a dog is $150–$400. Cats run cheaper: spay $150–$400, neuter $100–$300. Low-cost clinics through the Humane Society or ASPCA affiliates charge $50–$150 — same procedure, much lower overhead. Size drives cost: a 70-pound dog spay uses far more anesthesia than a 10-pound one.
Cost at a Glance
Dog
$200–$600
Private vet, national avg
Cat
$150–$400
Private vet, national avg
Low-cost clinic
$50–$150
SPCA / Humane Society
CA / NY
$200–$810
25–35% above avg
What Affects the Cost
- ▸ Spays cost more than neuters because the procedure is more invasive — abdominal surgery vs a small scrotal incision. Budget 20–40% more for a spay.
- ▸ Dog size matters a lot. Small dog (<25 lbs) spay: $200–$350. Large dog (>50 lbs) spay: $400–$600. Anesthesia is weight-dosed and drives the difference.
- ▸ Pre-anesthetic bloodwork ($80–$150) may be required for older pets or required by the clinic. For healthy young animals, many practices make it optional.
- ▸ Low-cost clinics are legitimate. ASPCA affiliates, Humane Societies, and nonprofit clinics use the same protocols and licensed vets. The savings come from volume and lower overhead — not cutting corners.
- ▸ Timing affects cat spay cost. A cat in heat or pregnant requires more complex surgery (+$50–$100). Scheduling before the first heat is simpler and cheaper.
- ▸ Cryptorchid dogs (undescended testicle) need a more involved neuter — $400–$800 instead of $150–$250 — because the surgeon has to locate the retained testicle abdominally.
Cost by State
National average adjusted by state cost-of-living index. Urban areas run ~30% higher than suburban; rural ~25% lower.
| State | Dog | Cat | vs. Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $164–$492 | $123–$328 | -18% |
| Alaska | $250–$750 | $188–$500 | +25% |
| Arizona | $190–$570 | $143–$380 | -5% |
| Arkansas | $160–$480 | $120–$320 | -20% |
| California | $270–$810 | $203–$540 | +35% |
| Colorado | $220–$660 | $165–$440 | +10% |
| Connecticut | $250–$750 | $188–$500 | +25% |
| Delaware | $210–$630 | $158–$420 | +5% |
| Florida | $200–$600 | $150–$400 | 0% |
| Georgia | $180–$540 | $135–$360 | -10% |
| Hawaii | $280–$840 | $210–$560 | +40% |
| Idaho | $180–$540 | $135–$360 | -10% |
| Illinois | $210–$630 | $158–$420 | +5% |
| Indiana | $176–$528 | $132–$352 | -12% |
| Iowa | $170–$510 | $128–$340 | -15% |
| Kansas | $170–$510 | $128–$340 | -15% |
| Kentucky | $170–$510 | $128–$340 | -15% |
| Louisiana | $170–$510 | $128–$340 | -15% |
| Maine | $200–$600 | $150–$400 | 0% |
| Maryland | $230–$690 | $173–$460 | +15% |
| Massachusetts | $260–$780 | $195–$520 | +30% |
| Michigan | $180–$540 | $135–$360 | -10% |
| Minnesota | $200–$600 | $150–$400 | 0% |
| Mississippi | $156–$468 | $117–$312 | -22% |
| Missouri | $170–$510 | $128–$340 | -15% |
| Montana | $184–$552 | $138–$368 | -8% |
| Nebraska | $176–$528 | $132–$352 | -12% |
| Nevada | $210–$630 | $158–$420 | +5% |
| New Hampshire | $220–$660 | $165–$440 | +10% |
| New Jersey | $250–$750 | $188–$500 | +25% |
| New Mexico | $176–$528 | $132–$352 | -12% |
| New York | $260–$780 | $195–$520 | +30% |
| North Carolina | $184–$552 | $138–$368 | -8% |
| North Dakota | $176–$528 | $132–$352 | -12% |
| Ohio | $180–$540 | $135–$360 | -10% |
| Oklahoma | $164–$492 | $123–$328 | -18% |
| Oregon | $220–$660 | $165–$440 | +10% |
| Pennsylvania | $200–$600 | $150–$400 | 0% |
| Rhode Island | $220–$660 | $165–$440 | +10% |
| South Carolina | $176–$528 | $132–$352 | -12% |
| South Dakota | $170–$510 | $128–$340 | -15% |
| Tennessee | $176–$528 | $132–$352 | -12% |
| Texas | $184–$552 | $138–$368 | -8% |
| Utah | $190–$570 | $143–$380 | -5% |
| Vermont | $210–$630 | $158–$420 | +5% |
| Virginia | $210–$630 | $158–$420 | +5% |
| Washington | $230–$690 | $173–$460 | +15% |
| West Virginia | $160–$480 | $120–$320 | -20% |
| Wisconsin | $184–$552 | $138–$368 | -8% |
| Wyoming | $180–$540 | $135–$360 | -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? ▼
Spaying a dog costs $200–$600 at a private vet practice. Size matters — a 10-pound dog uses roughly 40% of the anesthesia a 70-pound dog needs, and anesthesia is priced by weight. A small dog spay (under 25 lbs) typically runs $200–$350. A large dog spay (over 50 lbs) runs $400–$600. Add pre-anesthetic bloodwork if required ($80–$150). Low-cost clinics through the Humane Society, ASPCA affiliates, or local shelters charge $50–$150 regardless of size.
How much does it cost to neuter a dog? ▼
Neutering a dog costs $150–$400 at a private practice. It's typically 20–40% cheaper than a spay because it's a less invasive procedure. Small dog neuters run $150–$250; large dogs run $250–$400. If the dog has cryptorchidism (an undescended testicle), the surgery is more complex and costs $400–$800. Low-cost clinics charge $50–$100 for routine neuters. Puppies tolerate the procedure well and recover faster — vets generally recommend 6–9 months for most breeds.
How much does it cost to spay a cat? ▼
Spaying a cat costs $150–$400 at a private vet. Most cat spays fall in the $200–$300 range. The procedure is faster than a dog spay but still requires general anesthesia. Low-cost clinics charge $50–$120. Many shelters include spaying in the adoption fee. If you adopt from a rescue and the cat isn't yet spayed, the rescue often provides a voucher for a low-cost procedure. Pregnant cats or cats in heat cost $50–$100 more due to increased blood supply to reproductive organs.
Why do low-cost clinics charge so much less? ▼
Low-cost spay/neuter clinics keep costs down through volume and focus. A high-volume clinic might do 20–30 procedures per day, compared to 2–3 at a general practice. Streamlined operations, lower-overhead facilities, and grant funding from animal welfare organizations let them charge $50–$150 vs $200–$600. The procedure itself is identical — same anesthesia protocols, same surgical technique, performed by licensed veterinarians. The difference is overhead, not quality. Find clinics through the ASPCA low-cost spay/neuter database or local Humane Society.
Related Procedures
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Use the Full CalculatorData: Nationwide Pet Insurance Claims Data, AVMA U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, APPA National Pet Owners Survey, VECCS Emergency Cost Data
Last updated: January 2025
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