How much does it cost to spay a dog?

Getting your dog spayed is a routine surgery that can help make it’s life healthier and more comfortable. Spaying also reduces the population of stray dogs or puppies in shelters. However, the cost of getting your dog spayed can limit some families’ ability to move forward with the operation. 

How much does it cost to spay a dog? The prices will vary based on a few different factors, but they are primarily determined by where you choose to get your dog fixed. For example, a traditional veterinarian’s office will be more expensive than a shelter or clinic.

Read more below to learn about the cost of spaying a dog and how to get help paying for the surgery.

If you are looking for pet insurance to help cover the cost of spaying your dog or other veterinary care, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool above to find a pet insurance company near you.

How much does it cost to spay a dog?

Let’s begin by looking at the average cost of some common veterinary services:

Average Cost of Vet Visits and Common Vet Care

According to the table above, the average cost of a spay or neuter surgery is $160-$220. However, this doesn’t take into account any additional fees associated with the operation. The expense of spaying your dog could vary based on your location, the type of office you select for the surgery, and your dog’s breed and health. (For example, larger dogs will cost more than smaller dogs.)

You will likely have to pay for an initial veterinary visit and exam. You may also need to ensure that your dog is up-to-date on their vaccinations, which could cost between $15 and $65 each, depending on the type of vaccine. 

If the surgery is not routine, you could also end up paying for additional testing and care costs, as well as prescriptions. 

How much does it cost to spay a dog at a veterinary office? Overall, the cost of fixing a dog at a traditional veterinarian’s office could total about $400. Fortunately, there are ways to save on the cost of the surgery.

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Can I get financial assistance to spay a dog?

There are many places where you can find free or reduced-price spay and neuter surgeries. For example, there may be permanent clinic locations in your area, or you may also be able to find a temporary spay/neuter event. 

Shelters and non-profit organizations may provide spay or neuter surgeries for $50-$150, but you may need to supply proof of your income or other financial assistance. Some locations may also perform surgeries paid for by donations. Therefore, you would not need to pay anything.

Mobile clinics are those that have spay/neuter events for a limited time (usually a weekend), before they move to another location. Depending on the organization, they may charge between $50-$100.

While the surgery itself should be the same quality as what you’d receive at a private veterinarian’s office, you may want to consider the fact that your pet is unlikely to get the same one-on-one care. For example, a shelter or clinic won’t typically keep your pet afterward for overnight monitoring.

If you want to find a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in your area, the Humane Society offers a free search tool. 

What are the benefits of spaying a dog?

There are a few advantages to spaying your dog. For example, spayed female dogs are likely to live longer. In addition, the surgery can prevent health problems, such as mammary tumors and uterine infections. 

Having your female dog spayed may also prevent the behavioral issues associated with going into heat, which can be more comfortable for the dog and the rest of your family.

Most importantly, spaying your dog can prevent unwanted pregnancies. Dogs are naturally inclined to breed, leading to an overpopulation of canines. Unwanted or unexpected puppies may not be able to find homes, leading families to abandon or surrender them to a shelter.

Does pet insurance cover the cost of spaying a dog?

In general, pet insurance doesn’t cover the cost of spaying a dog because it is typically an elective surgery. However, some pet insurance companies will offer wellness plans or additional coverage that will cover spaying. Below is a list of some wellness plans and their prices:

Companies that Provide Add-On Coverage for Spay/Neuter Surgery with Prices

You may want to keep in mind that you cannot purchase some of these wellness plans individually. Instead, you can only buy the plan with an existing pet insurance policy. However, wellness plans can sometimes be a good investment since they cover veterinary visits, exams, and preventative services. 

If you need to find pet insurance with a wellness plan that will cover the cost of spaying a dog, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool below to compare pet insurance rates from multiple companies.