How Much Does it Cost to Neuter a Dog?

The cost to neuter your dog depends on where you live, whether it is a large or small breed, and the type of veterinary provider you choose to perform the surgery. Local humane societies may offer low-cost neuter procedures for rescued pets or the general pet-owning public, which cost less than using a private practice. While low-cost neuter surgeries may be the best option based on your budget, they may involve cheaper materials, less pain medication or fewer safety measures, such as preoperative blood work or intravenous fluids.

According to Petco, spay and neuter surgeries can cost between $200 and $700. Banfield Pet Hospital, a nationwide veterinary chain, prices its neuter surgery packages between $400 and $600. Shelters and humane societies may price procedures based on financial need but typically charge less than $200, according to Petco.

Itemized Price Breakdown

A private veterinary practice will typically include the following services in the price of a neuter package or may offer services separately for additional fees. We outlined the typical costs for each service related to neutering a dog in the table below.

*We averaged cost information based on data from multiple sources, including CareCredit, Petco and local veterinary practices.

Factors that impact the cost of having your dog neutered at a typical private veterinary practice include:

• Your dog’s age: Removing the testicles of a fully mature adult dog is more complex than performing the surgery on an immature puppy and therefore, may cost more. Older adults and seniors may require more extensive preoperative testing and have a higher risk for surgical complications, which could also increase costs.
• Your dog’s size: Neutering a large dog may require longer surgical time, more anesthesia and higher drug doses than for small dogs, which could influence cost.
• Your location: If you live in an expensive area, veterinary care and surgery could cost more than in a less expensive area.
• Cryptorchidism: If one of your dog’s testicles fails to descend, your veterinarian will have to create an abdominal incision to find and remove it. This surgery is similar to a female dog spay, which is more invasive and costs more.

Neutering your male dog offers health and behavioral benefits, including reducing testosterone-driven behaviors, eliminating the chances of testicular cancer and helping prevent prostate problems. Sterilizing pets that are not intended for a responsible breeding program is also important to reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasias due to shelter crowding.

Here are a few ways you can save money on dog neutering expenses:

• Low-cost neuter clinics: Your local humane society or animal control organization may provide low-cost neuter services to community members.
• Vouchers and coupons: Dogs adopted from rescue groups and shelters that are too young for neutering usually come with a voucher for low-cost or free surgery through a contracted veterinary provider.
• Bundling services: Look for veterinary practices that offer service bundles or wellness plans. A wellness plan allows you to purchase your puppy’s first year of veterinary services, including exams, vaccines, deworming, fecal tests, blood tests, parasite prevention, microchipping and neuter surgery, by paying a flat monthly fee. Bundled services are convenient, spread out costs and typically provide discounts. Note that a hospital wellness plan is different from pet insurance, which we will discuss below.
• Adopt through rescue groups: If you adopt an older puppy or adult dog, the rescue group will often ensure it is neutered before sending the animal home with you. As a result, neuter surgery is built into most adoption fees.

Pet insurance is another way to help reduce the costs of neutering your dog. Standard pet insurance plans do not cover neuter surgery because it is considered an elective and preventive service, and insurance is designed to cover unexpected expenses. However, many insurance providers allow you to add coverage for wellness care, including neuter surgery, to your standard plan. 

Wellness coverage operates differently than regular pet policies. Instead of having to meet a waiting period, you can use a wellness insurance plan as soon as you sign up. You will pay for services at your veterinarian of choice and then submit an invoice and claim form afterward. If the service is covered and approved, your insurance provider will reimburse you a set amount. Most plans provide only a $100 to $150 allowance for neuter surgery. 

One exception is Embrace’s wellness plans, which provide a lump sum you can use immediately on any wellness service you choose. With Embrace, you could use the entire amount on neuter surgery, but would not have coverage left for vaccines, exams or other wellness care. Other providers, such as Lemonade, Spot and Figo, itemize their wellness allowances so you have specific limits for each service.

The table below highlights our top recommendations for pet insurance that covers neutering and breaks down the average monthly costs and coverage amounts.

If you acquired a new dog and cannot afford to neuter it, you may be able to obtain financial assistance for the procedure. Look for the following groups in your community:

• Humane societies: Animal shelters in your area or a local government animal control agency can give you more information about cost-assisted services.
• Charitable grants: Local and national pet charities may have funds available for neuter services.
• Low-cost clinics: Low-cost clinics focus on providing community animals with basic health needs at an affordable cost.

The recovery period after neuter surgery is around seven to 14 days. Most dogs, especially puppies, will act normally within 12 to 24 hours after surgery, but restricting activity is important to prevent your dog from disturbing its incision. After surgery, dogs should go outside on a leash and not be allowed to run, jump or play for at least a week. In some cases, your veterinarian may prescribe calming medications to make this period of activity restriction easier.

Mild swelling or bruising at the incision site is normal and should resolve in a few days. Your pet will go home with pain medications and a cone collar to prevent it from licking the surgery site, which could lead to infection or torn sutures. Do not bathe your pet during the recovery period.

Persistent redness, oozing or swelling that gets worse after surgery could indicate infection or an allergic reaction to the suture material. Some dogs may develop a pocket of fluid near their incision or within the scrotum called a seroma. Antibiotics and additional follow-up visits may be required if your dog has postoperative complications, which could add to your overall costs.

Neutering your dog could cost between $200 and $700. If you cannot afford the surgery, you may contact local humane societies or your town’s animal control agencies for assistance. Pet insurance and individual veterinary hospital wellness plans can also help reduce the costs of owning a dog, including neutering surgery.

Veterinarians and national pet organizations, such as the ASPCA, Humane Society and the American Animal Hospital Association, recommend pet owners neuter their male pets to reduce unwanted animals and certain health and behavioral risks. However, neuter surgery has pros and cons that you should carefully consider and discuss with your veterinarian before scheduling the procedure.

Veterinarians agree that neutering your dog has advantages and disadvantages. Dr. Sarah Pruss, a general practice veterinarian at Wheaton Animal Hospital in Wheaton, Ill., performs the procedure regularly and listed the following advantages of neuter surgery:

• Reduced risk of bacterial prostatitis (an infection of the prostate gland)
• No accidental pregnancies among neighborhood dogs or female dogs in your home, whose unwanted puppies could end up in a shelter
• Less likely to engage in territorial marking behaviors
• Fewer dangerous roaming behaviors, which helps lower the chances of your pet being hit by a vehicle or picked up by animal control
• Eliminates the risk of testicular cancers

Disadvantages of Neutering Your Dog

Dr. Pruss also shared that neutering can have some downsides. She listed these potential disadvantages:

• Increased risk for orthopedic problems in large breeds
• Possible weight gain
• Possible increased risk for some cancers, including lymphoma, bone cancer and prostate cancer
• Possible decreased performance, speed and muscle mass in sporting dogs
• Anesthetic-related risk

“I recommend all my clients consider neutering their dogs because the benefits typically outweigh the risks,” said Dr. Pruss. “Because the dog’s size can impact post-operative and longer-term risks associated with neutering, the pet owner and I decide together on the best timing for the dog’s breed, lifestyle and health.”