How Much Does It Cost to Spay a Cat?

Almost every female cat can benefit from being spayed. Ideally, cats should be spayed before 5 months of age to prevent heat cycles and pregnancy, but they can be spayed when they’re older as well. Early-age spaying provides many health benefits and helps to reduce pet overpopulation. However, the cost to spay a cat is a tough hurdle for some pet parents to overcome. 

Just how much does it cost to spay a cat? The answer (answers, to be accurate) might surprise you. 

What Is a Cat Spay?

First, let’s look at what a cat spay surgery entails.  

Cat spays are more complicated than many people think. Here’s an outline of the steps that go into making a cat spay as safe and pain-free as possible: 

• The veterinarian performs a preoperative exam and lab work to ensure the cat is healthy enough for anesthesia and surgery. 

• The cat receives an injection containing a sedative to help them relax and pain medication to preemptively prevent pain. 

• An intravenous (IV) catheter is placed and injectable anesthesia is given, which causes unconsciousness. 

• A breathing tube is inserted, and anesthetic gas and oxygen are delivered to maintain anesthesia throughout the procedure. 

• The cat’s belly is shaved, scrubbed with an antiseptic, and covered with a sterile drape. 

• The cat is connected to monitors and IV fluids and is continuously monitored by a licensed veterinary technician. 

• The veterinarian puts on a cap and mask, scrubs their hands, and puts on a sterile gown and gloves. 

• Using sterile instruments, the vet makes an incision through the cat’s skin and abdominal wall. 

• The vet examines the abdomen, then ties off and removes the uterus and ovaries. 

• The veterinarian checks for bleeding, then closes the tissue layers with sterile sutures or other material. 

• Anesthesia is stopped and the breathing tube is removed when the cat regains consciousness and can swallow. 

• The cat is closely monitored during recovery and additional pain medications are given as needed to keep them comfortable. 

• The cat is sent home with any necessary medications (pain relievers like Onsior or buprenorphine, for example) and care instructions. 

How Much Does It Cost to Spay a Cat?

The cost of spaying a cat varies based on the cat’s age and health status, the type of clinic performing the surgery, and your geographic location, but let’s look at some averages. 

At a private veterinary hospital, the cost of a cat spay typically ranges from $300 to $500.

Surgeries in low cost-of-living areas for cats who are healthy and under 6 months old will fall on the lower end of this range, while a spay for an older cat who lives in a city with a higher cost of living will probably be on the higher end.

Also, if your cat is pregnant or has a significant health problem (pyometra or heart disease, for example) the cost may increase by $100 to $200 or more. 

However, spay/neuter clinics, animal shelters, and other not-for-profit organizations often provide cat spays at a reduced cost.

Keep in mind that while most of these organizations provide excellent care, they do have to keep expenses down.

They may not be able to offer everything a full-service veterinary clinic can. For example, having an IV catheter in place during a spay allows fluids to be given to maintain your cat’s blood pressure and to provide rapid access to a vein should an emergency arise. With a low-cost spay, the catheter and fluids may be skipped to save money. 

The cost to spay a cat at a shelter, rescue, or low-cost clinic can range from as low as $25 to $150 or more. Many of these organizations set their fees on a sliding scale based on their client’s ability to pay. 

Benefits of a Cat Spay

Regardless of how much money you spend, the benefits of spaying your cat can’t be denied. Cats can have monthly heat cycles through most of the year and can become pregnant when they are as young as 5 months old! 

Spaying a cat before her first heat cycle: 

• Greatly reduces the risk of ovarian, uterine, and mammary cancer, as well as other reproductive diseases, including a potentially fatal uterine infection called pyometra 

• Eliminates complications associated with pregnancy and giving birth to kittens 

• Reduces annoying heat-related behaviors, such as yowling, and dangers associated with escaping the house to search for a mate 

• Helps to reduce the pet overpopulation crisis 

• Eliminates the need to find homes for kittens 

What to Do if You Can’t Afford to Have Your Cat Spayed

Don’t give up if you’re worried about being able to afford a cat spay—many resources are available. The same is true if you have a male cat and you’re wondering, “How much does it cost to neuter a cat?” 

First, talk to your veterinarian. They can provide you with a detailed estimate for what a spay costs at their clinic and may be able to offer a reduced rate or a payment plan. 

Next, contact your local animal shelter or check out SpayUSA, which lets you search for low-cost spay and neuter clinics in your area. 

Finally, consider pet insurance. While traditional accident and illness policies don’t usually cover spays and neuters, wellness plans often do.  

Comprehensive pet insurance does not just help you pay for unexpected veterinary expenses associated with illnesses or injuries. It also allows you to spread out large, one-time costs, such as surgery to have your cat spayed.