Click to Skip Ahead
You’ve probably heard your vet mention that you should spay or neuter your puppy when they reach a certain age. This is neither a life-threatening procedure nor an uncommon one, with hundreds of dogs and cats being neutered every day in the UK, and around the world. Unless you’re a registered breeder, you should consider this option for your dog as it is both beneficial to their health and behavior.
Spaying or neutering your dog comes at a certain cost and depends on a few factors. We’ve done the research and have listed all the costs that you’ll need to consider down below to help you prepare for this important step in your dog’s life.
The Differences Between Spaying and Neutering
Although spaying and neutering have the same outcome, the procedures are completely different. Both spaying and neutering are sterilization procedures done by a vet that will prevent your dog from being able to reproduce. The procedure can often be done on your puppy from around 6 months old onwards, but it’s always necessary to consult your vet first because their breed, size, character, and sex play a role in the decision-making.
“Spaying” is the sterilization procedure that is performed on female dogs when their ovaries and uterus are removed, while “neutering” or “castration” is performed on male dogs, which involves removing their testicles. Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia to ensure the safety of your dog as well as to reduce the stress and pain that typically accompanies surgery.
The Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Dog
Thankfully, your dog only needs to undergo this surgery once. Although it can be stressful to send your dog in for surgery, spaying and neutering have numerous health and behavioral advantages. In fact, 82% of vets in the UK think the procedure should become compulsory for dogs if their owners aren’t registered breeders, due to overbreeding and health issues that arise with it, as well as pet overpopulation and overcrowded animal shelters.1
Neutering your dog is a form of preventative care and can extend their life. Spaying your female dog will reduce the risk of certain illnesses and cancers, such as uterine infections and tumors of the mammary glands
It’s an easy route to take if you want to prevent unwanted pregnancies or the mess that accompanies your dog when they come into season. Spaying your dog will stop their heat cycle and the attention of male dogs. It’ll also save you money later on because you won’t have to pay for pregnancy and nursing care, including all the preventative treatment their puppies will require.
If you have dogs that are siblings and of the opposite sex, you should sterilize at least one of them because they will instinctively mate when the female comes into season, and if she falls pregnant, she’ll produce a litter of puppies that have been inbred, making them more prone to various congenital and developmental health issues.
Neutering your male dog will eliminate the risk of testicular cancer as well as reduce the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It’ll also reduce their drive to mark in your house, run away, and express aggressive behavior.
The Potential Risks Associated with Spaying or Neutering Your Dog
Many people prefer to avoid talking about the potential risks or disadvantages of spaying or neutering dogs. However, we believe that the best decisions are made when dog owners are fully informed. Spaying or neutering your dog involves surgery, which is never 100% safe. As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks or complications that may occur, although they are generally uncommon, during the anesthesia, procedure itself, or in the postoperative period when healing takes place. This is something your vet will discuss with you in detail and they will tailor the procedure to your dog’s specific needs.
Another potential disadvantage is that the procedure carries certain fees and often isn’t covered by pet insurance policies because it’s considered a preventative treatment. This means that you’ll have to pay out of your pocket, including all the medication and recovery costs.
Neutering an animal too early may also have an impact on their growth and development, so it’s important to discuss this with your vet and make a decision based on the dog’s breed, expected size when fully grown, temperament, and certain health risk factors and predispositions. Although some types of cancer seem more common in spayed females and neutered male dogs than they are in entire ones, such as hemangiosarcoma in spayed females, and prostatic cancer in neutered males, there is a need for more research into these risks and predispositions based on the neutered status. Other conditions that have been associated with early neutering are urinary incontinence and joint disorders.
It’s always a good idea to chat through your concerns with your vet and come to a decision together. If they think your dog is at risk of developing health issues if they get spayed or neutered, they’ll discuss alternative methods of sterilization with you.
How Much Does Dog Spaying or Neutering Cost in the UK?
We can’t give you an exact cost on how much spaying or neutering your dog in the UK will cost because your dog is unique, and there are several factors that will influence the price. However, you should consider budgeting between £200 and £500. For a more correct estimate, it’s best to call your local vet, who will take into account your dog’s sex, health, and potential requirement for any preanesthetic tests.
The sex of your dog is a huge factor that affects the cost. Spaying a female dog often costs more because it requires more time, skill, and recovery, as the procedure is more complex. The breed of your dog and their weight are also taken into consideration, as well as the type of postoperative treatment they may require.
As someone who lives in the UK, you’ll know that prices vary depending on where you stay. The same is true with veterinary care. If you take your dog to be spayed or neutered in London, you’ll pay a much higher cost than if you took them to a vet practice in Wales or Scotland.
Additional Costs to Anticipate
Thankfully, when you pay for your dog to be spayed or neutered, the price you’re given generally covers most of the costs involved. Your dog will have to undergo general anesthesia in order to have the surgery.
Many vet practices will examine and weigh your dog before they can give you an exact cost for the surgery—and as we’ve mentioned, your dog’s sex, weight and health are factors that will affect the cost. Most neutering is planned and booked during puppy check ups and vaccination appointments, and in many practices may be pre booked through a phone call.
Other possible costs may be the post-op check ups where the vet will remove your dog’s stitches, unless they are buried in the skin and dissolvable on their own, provide pain relief medication, and the protective cone your dog might have to wear if they try to lick or bite at their stitches. Thankfully, most vet practices include all these extras in the quoted price they give you, but it’s important to ask and confirm so as not to be left with unexpected expenses.
What to Expect
Taking your dog into surgery is scary but knowing what to expect can ease your anxiety. Some steps differ from one vet practice to another, so be sure to chat to your vet and ask them to explain everything to you, from what to expect to what you can do to best care for your dog pre-and post-surgery.
You’ll likely be asked not to give your dog any food on the day of the surgery. Water is also not recommended but is usually fine before 7 am. Your dog needs to have an empty stomach during surgery to avoid certain risks.
When your dog goes in for the surgery, they’ll be given painkillers as well as general anesthesia that’ll “put them to sleep” before the vet starts operating. The vet will shave the hair around the area where they’ll cut and either remove the testicles or the uterus and ovaries.
Your dog won’t have to stay overnight at the vet, unless there were any complications during or after the procedure, but they will be monitored for a few hours after the surgery. You’ll be phoned when your dog is ready to go home. Allow your dog to take it easy for the rest of the day, as they’ll probably still be sleepy from the effects of the general anesthetic.
You will most likely have to give your dog prescribed medication for a few days after the surgery, to make sure they are comfortable. You should also avoid taking them on runs or any kind of physical activities until they’re fully healed, as they need to rest. Your vet will give you a date for when you should return with your dog so that they can make sure everything is fine and remove their stitches. Not following your vet’s instructions may lead to complications of wound healing and need for further treatment.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Spaying and Neutering?
Even though neutering or spaying your dog is the responsible thing to do as a pet parent, most pet insurance policies don’t cover the procedure because it’s considered “preventative treatment” or an elective procedure. It is unfortunate because getting your dog spayed or neutered is very important for their ongoing health and as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and pet overpopulation.
The only time some pet insurances may help cover costs connected to spaying or neutering is when there’s been a complication with the procedure that results in your dog needing further vet care or sometimes if your dog requires neutering due to another health problem.
How to Pay for Dog Spaying and Neutering on a Budget
If you’re eager to get your dog spayed or neutered, but you’re on a tight budget, speak to your vet and see if there are any ways to try and spread out the costs. Some vet practices may offer payment plans and this is something you can inquire about.
Ask your vet for an estimate and make sure all the possible extra medications or treatments are included, to give you a more accurate idea of the cost.
If you’re still considering getting a dog and doing the research beforehand, you could opt for a small breed. Neutering or spaying a small breed is generally charged the least. Lastly, you could look into the RSPCA and PDSA benefits to check if you qualify. If you do, you could pay a reduced cost.
However, owning a dog is a great responsibility that lasts for the whole duration of their lives, and comes at a variable cost, and this should be taken into consideration before getting one. Not being able to provide them with the preventative care or treatment they require can be very detrimental for their health and welfare and negatively impact their lifespan.
Conclusion
Depending on the breed, size, weight, and sex of your dog, as well as the location of the vet practice you choose, you may end up paying between £200 to £500 for your dog to be spayed or neutered. Unfortunately, most pet insurance policies don’t cover this procedure, and you’ll have to fund it yourself.
Getting your dog sterilized comes with many health and behavioral benefits. Speak to your vet about a more accurate estimate and the best time to get your pooch neutered.
Featured Image Credit: Iryna Kalamurza, Shutterstock
