Cost guide, not veterinary advice. Prices are typical US ranges from public sources and vary by clinic and region. Last reviewed September 30, 2026. How we research
In this guide
- Cat spay and neuter cost at a glance
- Shelter, low-cost or private clinic: what changes
- Cat spay and neuter cost by state
- Extras that raise the bill
- When to spay or neuter a cat, and community cats
- Does pet insurance or a wellness plan cover it?
- How to find a free or low-cost spay or neuter for your cat
- The bottom line
- Cat spay and neuter cost: frequently asked questions
- How we researched cat spay and neuter costs
Cat spay and neuter cost at a glance
At a private vet, spaying a female cat costs about $322 on average in the U.S. and neutering a male about $212, as of 2026. At a nonprofit or low-cost clinic the same surgeries often cost $65 to $80, sometimes with a vaccine included. Shelters and trap-neuter-return programs can bring the price close to free.
| Where | Spay (female) | Neuter (male) |
|---|---|---|
| Private vet, national average | $322 (range $255–$587) | $212 (range $168–$385) |
| Private vet, state averages | $259 in Mississippi to $576 in Hawaii | $170 in Mississippi and West Virginia to $380 in Hawaii |
| Nonprofit clinic example | $80, core vaccine included | $65, core vaccine included |
| Shelter events and community cat programs | Often free or heavily discounted | Often free or heavily discounted |
Private-vet averages for kittens under 6 months from CareCredit (November 2025), based on the 2025 Synchrony national cost study; nonprofit prices from Humane Colorado, checked September 2026.
If you’ve just adopted a kitten, or you’re comparing a quote from your vet with a low-cost clinic, this guide shows what each option costs, what’s included and how to find free or cheap surgery.
Shelter, low-cost or private clinic: what changes
A private vet charges roughly three to five times what a low-cost clinic does for the same surgery, mostly because the private price bundles bloodwork, IV fluids, more pain control and a recheck. For a young, healthy cat, a reputable low-cost clinic is a common way to save.
| Where you go | Spay (female) | Neuter (male) | What’s usually included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private vet | $300–$500 or more; $322 average | $200–$400; $212 average | Often pre-op bloodwork, IV fluids, anesthesia, surgery, pain medication and a recheck |
| Low-cost or shelter clinic | $50–$150 | $25–$100 | Anesthesia and surgery; extras vary |
| SPCA of Texas (Dallas area) | $70 | $60 | Anesthesia and post-operative pain control; free for residents of eligible ZIP codes, with microchip and vaccines |
| Humane Colorado (Denver area) | $80 | $65 | Surgery plus the core FVRCP vaccine |
Private and low-cost ranges from Webvet (2026, veterinarian-reviewed); averages from CareCredit; clinic prices as published, checked September 2026.
What the extra money at a private vet typically buys, based on a veterinarian’s comparison for Embrace: required bloodwork, gas anesthesia that can be adjusted, an IV catheter and fluids, more pain medication, closer monitoring, and rechecks at the same clinic. Low-cost clinics usually discharge the same day and refer you to your own vet for any concerns. The same article cites a perioperative death rate of 0.9 per 10,000 surgeries at high-volume clinics, measured in dogs.
One myth to skip: Webvet notes that PetSmart doesn’t run its own spay and neuter surgery suites, so the “$20 PetSmart cat neuter” often repeated online isn’t a real option.
Cat spay and neuter cost by state
At private vets, a cat spay averages from $259 in Mississippi to $576 in Hawaii, and a neuter from $170 in Mississippi and West Virginia to $380 in Hawaii. Half the states average under $300 for a spay; only California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., average $400 or more.
| State | Average cat spay | Average cat neuter |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $272 | $177 |
| Alaska | $380 | $253 |
| Arizona | $336 | $218 |
| Arkansas | $268 | $176 |
| California | $429 | $283 |
| Colorado | $328 | $214 |
| Connecticut | $347 | $227 |
| Delaware | $316 | $208 |
| District of Columbia | $436 | $287 |
| Florida | $318 | $209 |
| Georgia | $283 | $186 |
| Hawaii | $576 | $380 |
| Idaho | $312 | $206 |
| Illinois | $293 | $192 |
| Indiana | $279 | $183 |
| Iowa | $275 | $182 |
| Kansas | $268 | $176 |
| Kentucky | $286 | $188 |
| Louisiana | $286 | $187 |
| Maine | $337 | $221 |
| Maryland | $357 | $235 |
| Massachusetts | $452 | $295 |
| Michigan | $278 | $183 |
| Minnesota | $296 | $194 |
| Mississippi | $259 | $170 |
| Missouri | $274 | $179 |
| Montana | $318 | $209 |
| Nebraska | $288 | $190 |
| Nevada | $313 | $205 |
| New Hampshire | $348 | $229 |
| New Jersey | $355 | $232 |
| New Mexico | $288 | $189 |
| New York | $384 | $252 |
| North Carolina | $303 | $198 |
| North Dakota | $285 | $187 |
| Ohio | $291 | $192 |
| Oklahoma | $264 | $175 |
| Oregon | $345 | $227 |
| Pennsylvania | $296 | $193 |
| Rhode Island | $347 | $229 |
| South Carolina | $297 | $194 |
| South Dakota | $286 | $188 |
| Tennessee | $279 | $184 |
| Texas | $285 | $188 |
| Utah | $317 | $208 |
| Vermont | $354 | $232 |
| Virginia | $313 | $205 |
| Washington | $355 | $231 |
| West Virginia | $260 | $170 |
| Wisconsin | $301 | $196 |
| Wyoming | $295 | $194 |
State averages for kittens under 6 months at private practices, from CareCredit (November 2025), based on the 2025 Synchrony national cost study. Nonprofit clinics in every state can charge much less.
Extras that raise the bill
A cat in heat or pregnant usually adds $50 to $200 to a spay, and an undescended testicle adds to a neuter; bloodwork, a cone, vaccines and a microchip are the other common extras.
| Extra | Typical added cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| In heat or pregnant | $50–$200 | Larger blood vessels and tissue make the spay longer |
| Undescended testicle (cryptorchid) | $25 extra at Humane Colorado; varies elsewhere | The vet has to search for the retained testicle |
| Pre-anesthetic bloodwork | $40–$120 | Often bundled at private vets; optional or skipped at some low-cost clinics |
| Cone (e-collar) | $15–$50, sometimes included | Stops licking at the incision |
| Vaccines | $20–$30 each at Humane Colorado | If your cat isn’t up to date; some clinics include the core FVRCP vaccine |
| Other surcharges | Varies | SPCA of Texas lists extra charges for pregnancy, heat, cryptorchidism, fleas and umbilical hernia repair |
Costs from Webvet (2026) and the clinics named: Humane Colorado and SPCA of Texas.
The good news on recovery: cats usually recover within 12 to 24 hours of a spay or neuter, and up to 48 hours for the anesthesia to fully wear off, according to CareCredit, so aftercare costs are usually limited to the cone and any pain medication sent home.
When to spay or neuter a cat, and community cats
Veterinary groups recommend spaying or neutering cats by 5 months of age, because female cats can become pregnant by then. Doing it before the first heat also avoids the heat surcharge and lowers the risk of mammary tumors. Spaying also prevents pyometra, a uterine infection in unspayed females that usually needs surgery; pyometra surgery costs for cats range from about $125 at some nonprofit clinics to more than $2,000.
The “Feline Fix by Five” recommendation is endorsed by AAHA, the AVMA, the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians and other groups, according to AAHA. Its reasons:
- Cats can be sexually mature and female cats can become pregnant by 5 months.
- Spaying before 5 months significantly reduces the incidence of mammary tumors.
- Sterilization ends spraying, roaming and fighting linked to mating behavior.
Stray and community cats: trap-neuter-return
If you care for outdoor or feral cats, trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs spay or neuter them for little or no cost. Alley Cat Allies describes the process: cats are humanely trapped, vaccinated, spayed or neutered and eartipped under anesthesia (the tip of the left ear is removed to show they’ve been sterilized), then returned outdoors. Its Feral Friends Network and Community Resource Tool can point you to low-cost or subsidized surgery for community cats, and some vets offer reduced prices for TNR.
Does pet insurance or a wellness plan cover it?
Standard accident-and-illness policies don’t cover spaying or neutering because it’s elective, but several insurers offer kitten or wellness add-ons that help pay for it. With low-cost surgery at $65 to $80, an add-on is worth it only if you’ll also use it for vaccines, a microchip and checkups.
| Insurer | Spay and neuter coverage |
|---|---|
| Embrace | Through its optional Wellness Rewards plan, with a yearly allowance of $300, $500 or $700 that can also go toward microchipping |
| Lemonade | Through its Puppy/Kitten Preventative package for pets under 2, which also helps with microchipping, flea, tick or heartworm medication, exams and vaccines |
| MetLife Pet | Through its Preventive Care add-on, up to the add-on’s annual limit |
| Trupanion | Not covered; spay and neuter are listed as routine care |
Coverage as described on each insurer’s website, checked September 2026 (full comparison in does pet insurance cover spay and neuter surgery). Each insurer sets its own add-on price and limits, so compare the yearly cost with what you’d pay out of pocket. Learn more in how pet insurance works.
How to find a free or low-cost spay or neuter for your cat
Start with a nonprofit clinic, shelter or TNR program: many charge $50 to $150 for a spay and $25 to $100 for a neuter, and some are free for eligible owners or community cats.
- Search SpayUSA. North Shore Animal League America’s SpayUSA is a nationwide referral network for discounted spay and neuter; call 800-248-7729 or use its online form.
- Call your local shelter or humane society. Some run low-cost clinics; SPCA of Texas, for example, charges $70 for a spay and $60 for a neuter and offers free surgery to residents of eligible ZIP codes.
- Ask a veterinary school. CareCredit notes that less expensive services may be available at some veterinary schools, low-cost clinics, shelters and animal societies.
- Use TNR for outdoor cats. Alley Cat Allies’ Feral Friends Network can help you find low-cost or subsidized surgery for community cats.
- Check ASPCA programs. The ASPCA offers services in New York City, to qualifying residents in Los Angeles, and in western North Carolina.
- Book by 5 months to avoid heat and pregnancy surcharges of $50 to $200.
- Bundle vaccines and a microchip into the surgery visit; some clinics include the core vaccine in the price.
If you need help paying
For a $300 to $450 private-vet spay, a medical credit card can spread the cost: CareCredit offers no interest if paid in full in 6, 12, 18 or 24 months on purchases of $200 or more, but charges 32.99% APR back to the purchase date if you miss the deadline. Scratchpay offers payment plans for $200 to $10,000. At low-cost clinic prices, though, you usually won’t need financing. Compare options in our guide to financial help for vet bills.
The bottom line
Expect about $322 to spay and $212 to neuter a kitten at a private vet, and $50 to $150 for a spay or $25 to $100 for a neuter at a low-cost clinic. Book by 5 months to avoid heat surcharges, check what each price includes, and look at shelters, SpayUSA and TNR programs before you pay full price.
If you’re setting up care for a new kitten, compare wellness add-ons alongside how pet insurance works. For dogs, see our guides to the cost to spay a dog and the cost to neuter a dog.
Cat spay and neuter cost: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to spay a cat?
About $322 on average at a private vet in the U.S., according to CareCredit, with state averages from $259 to $576. Low-cost clinics often charge $50 to $150.
How much does it cost to neuter a male cat?
About $212 on average at a private vet, with state averages from $170 to $380. Low-cost clinics often charge $25 to $100.
Why does spaying a cat cost more than neutering?
A spay is abdominal surgery to remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, while a neuter removes the testicles through a small incision, so the spay takes longer.
When should I spay or neuter my kitten?
By 5 months of age, under the Feline Fix by Five recommendation endorsed by AAHA, the AVMA and feline veterinary groups, because female cats can become pregnant by then.
Can I get my cat spayed or neutered for free?
Sometimes. Some shelters offer free surgery to eligible residents, and trap-neuter-return programs help with community cats. SpayUSA (800-248-7729) can refer you to low-cost programs nearby.
Does pet insurance cover spaying or neutering a cat?
Not under a standard accident-and-illness policy. Wellness or kitten add-ons from insurers such as Embrace, Lemonade and MetLife can help pay for it.
How we researched cat spay and neuter costs
We based national and state averages on the veterinary cost data CareCredit publishes from the Synchrony Average Procedural Cost Study (ASQ360° Market Research), then compared them with prices published by two nonprofit clinics, a 2026 veterinarian-reviewed cost guide, a veterinarian’s comparison of low-cost and private clinics, pet insurers’ coverage pages, and guidance from AAHA and Alley Cat Allies. We checked every figure in September 2026. Prices vary by clinic and by your cat’s age and health, so the clinic’s written estimate is the only exact figure. This article is general information, not veterinary advice.
Sources
- CareCredit: Cat spay and neuter cost
- Webvet: Cat spay and neuter cost
- Humane Colorado: Spay/neuter clinic
- SPCA of Texas: Spay/neuter
- Embrace: Low-cost spay and neuter clinics vs. your local vet and Wellness Rewards
- AAHA: The “Fix by Five” initiative
- Alley Cat Allies: Spay/neuter for cats and communities and financial resources for cats
- North Shore Animal League America: SpayUSA
- ASPCA: Low-cost spay/neuter programs
- Lemonade: Puppy/Kitten Preventative package
- MetLife Pet Insurance: Spay and neuter cost
- Trupanion: What isn’t covered
- NerdWallet: CareCredit card terms and Scratchpay: How it works