Are you planning to neuter your cat to get rid of undesirable behaviors? If so, you might wonder about cat neuter prices before booking an appointment.
The average cost of neutering a male cat ranges between $200 to $300 and spaying a female cat costs between $300 to $500. Spaying or neutering a kitty is important for health, happiness, and preventing overpopulation.
In this post, you’ll find a comprehensive cat neuter price guide for 2023. Plus, you’ll know the answers to some frequently asked queries related to cat neuter. So read till the end.
What do Spay and Neuter mean?
The surgical removal of the reproductive organs(uterus and ovaries) of a female cat is called spaying. Neuter means the removal of the testicles of a male cat. Neutering is also known as castration.
You’ll need to make an appointment with your vet or neuter/spay clinic. Both procedures require anesthesia, and a spayed cat takes longer to heal than a neutered cat.
How Much does it Cost to Spay or Neuter a Cat?
The cost to spay or neuter a cat varies in different regions. On average, cat neuter prices range between $200 to $300 at a private vet clinic. At the same time, spaying a cat costs between $300 to $500 when done at a private full-service clinic.
Often, personal vets may allow your cat to stay overnight at the hospital. It helps in recovery time and pain management.
Cat neuter prices vary depending on the age of your cat, breed, physical health, and the place where you live.
Many non-profit cat neuter/spay services charge $50 or more, depending on your area. If you are looking for less expensive options, you can opt for non-profit cat neuter services.
You might wonder about the quality of those services. Don’t worry. Only licensed vets are allowed to perform such surgeries.
Will Pet Health Insurance Cover Cat Neuter Price?
Most pet health insurance does not cover the cost of neutering and spaying. Your pet should be spayed or neutered before enrolling in an insurance policy.
However, some pet insurance companies offer pet wellness programs. These plans are also called routine care or preventative programs. They cover neutering costs of around $25 per month or $300 per year for qualified pet owners.
Can You Get Spay/Neuter Services For Free?
Many non-profit organizations offer free spay/neuter services for qualified pet owners. ASPCA has provided a list of free services across the country. You can consult any pet shelter or organization nearby to check whether you are qualified. However, you’ll have to wait for an appointment for free spay/neuter services.
Why Should You Spay or Neuter a Cat?
Most of you might be thinking about the benefits of neutering a cat. Below are the reasons why you should spay or neuter a cat.
Elimination of Behavior Problems
Felines develop behavior issues as soon as they reach puberty. Male cats mark territories by spraying foul-smelling urine.
It results in a fight with the neighboring cats. Consequently, they may get diseases through other animals’ bites. A neutered kitty is less likely to get such injuries.
Female cats go into heat when they reach puberty. They show aggressive territorial behavior and spray urine indoors and outdoors. Spaying your female cat eliminates all of these behavior issues.
Prevention of Life-Threatening Diseases
Spaying a female cat prevents mammary and uterine cancer. Plus, it minimizes the risk of many endocrinal and hormonal diseases.
Your neutered male cat will be safe from getting prostate and testicular cancer.
Increased Life Span
Spay and neuter procedures increase the life of your pet since they are less prone to the most serious diseases. Plus, it avoids unexpected pregnancies.
What is the Best Age to Spay or Neuter a Cat?
The best age to spay or neuter a cat is five to six months. Most felines reach puberty at five to six months. However, puberty age may vary in different breeds.
You can neuter your kitty at any age. It is better to do it before the first heat. Also, you can expect high cat neuter prices if your kitty is pregnant or in heat. Consult your vet about the right time to spay your cat.
Your kitty may face complications if neutered too early or too late. Spaying too early may cause a risk of narrowing of the bladder, bone cancer, hip dysplasia, and hormonal imbalance.
What to Expect In a Cat Neuter/Spay Surgery?
A spay surgery is a complicated procedure and requires anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision in your cat’s abdomen, exposing its reproductive tract. He removes the ovaries and the uterus and closes the incision with sutures.
The whole procedure takes 30 minutes. Female cat takes longer to recover. Some private clinics allow your cat an overnight post-surgery stay at the hospital.
Generally, the post-surgery stay depends on your cat’s condition for how it responds to anesthesia.
In neutering, the surgeon removes the testicles by making an incision. He ties the spermatic chord to prevent bleeding. The neutering procedure takes less than 30 minutes, and your cat can go home the same day after surgery.
Your cat may suffer some side effects of surgery, such as lethargy, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Make sure that your pet is hydrated and takes rest.
Use an E-collar to avoid an infection in the sutures. These symptoms will get better after 48 hours. Consult a vet in case of an emergency.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this post will give you a comprehensive guide to cat neuter prices in 2023. Private clinics charge $200 to $300 for neutering and $300 to $400 for spaying.
Many pet welfare organizations and shelters offer low-cost spay/neuter services to qualified owners. Spaying is a more complicated procedure than neutering.
The best age to spay/neuter a cat is 6 to 8 months. However, you can get this procedure done at any age.
Neutering improves your cat’s quality of life and helps eliminate undesirable behavior. Make sure to consult a vet before making an appointment for surgery.