The cheapest vet for neutering your dog
The very cheapest neutering price we found was £100 at the Redruth Vet Surgery in Cornwall.
This was for a male dog weighing up to 35kg so includes more dogs than the ‘up to 25kg’ smallest weight band quoted by many surgeries.
The price includes pain relief to go home with and a post-op checkup.
What does the cost of neutering include?
If you’re comparing prices at vets near you to find the best neutering costs, make sure you compare like-for-like.
Some veterinary practices might state ‘prices from’ which are for a very small dog. If you’ve got a large Labrador or Rottweiller, you’ll probably find the price you pay is significantly more.
You also need to double check with the vet whether the quoted price includes pre and post-operative check-ups. Most do, but if they’re charged separately they can add around £25-35 per visit, significantly increasing the cost.
Finally, ask whether the cost of pain relief and a cone is included in the cost. Again, it usually is, but if it’s extra it can add quite a lot to the neutering price you see on a website.
The price of chemical castration in dogs
Male dogs can be chemically castrated by placing a chip or implant under the skin containing a hormone medication called Supralorin. The chemicals reduce your dog’s testosterone and it makes them temporarily infertile for six-12 months.
As the procedure isn’t widely available in the UK, most vets don’t list the price of chemical castration. New Priory Vets in Brighton offers the procedure and chemical castration costs £109.48 for a six-month implant and £218.96 for one lasting 12 months.
When you consider that you’ll have to have the chip renewed every six-12 months, it’s not really a cheaper alternative to conventional neutering which lasts a lifetime.
Not all vet practices offer chemical castration for dogs. If you need to travel to a vet further afield to get the procedure done. This can add to the costs.
The cost of laparoscopic spaying
Laparoscopic spaying is a type of keyhole surgery. It’s much less invasive than conventional spaying, which means it’s likely to give your female dog fewer complications and an easier recovery.
Only the ovaries are removed with a laparoscopic spay, instead of the overies and uterus.
We haven’t included average prices for it simply because not every vet offers it. The main downside of laproscopic spaying is that it’s significantly more expensive.
Only 10 of the vets we surveyed quoted prices for laparoscopic spaying. For medium-sized dogs the price of a laparoscopic spay is around £500-600, so generally £200-300 more than a standard spay.
The cheapest laparoscopic spay price we found was £413.18 for a small dog at a surgery in Bedfordshire . The most expensive price we found was £979.78 at a Welsh veterinary surgery, but it was for a dog of any size.
Should I neuter my dog?
Always check with your vet about neutering your pet. There may be different risks and benefits depending on the age, health and breed of your pet.
Neutering your dog can have positive benefits.
For males these are:
- It reduces the risk of prostate cancer, and other cancer types
- It reduces ‘humping’ behaviours
- It reduces urine marking and roaming
- It reduces the risk of more unwanted pups being introduced into the world.
The positives of neutering (spaying) a female dog are that:
- It prevents unwanted pregnancy and phantom pregnancies
- Removes the risk of womb infections known as pyometra
- It reduces the risk of mammary cancer
- It prevents ovarian tumours
- Also, your dog will also be less moody, as her hormones won’t be affected by coming into season
What age should a dog be neutered?
A male dog can be castrated from around six to seven months, but it can vary depending on the breed and their size. Speak to your vet for advice on the best time for your dog.
A female dog can be spayed from around six months old. Again, this can differ if you have a larger dog.
Always speak to your vet for advice and clarification.
Delaying your dog's spay un-necessarily could lead to more problems, such as the increased risk of mammary cancer after she’s had her third season.
Does pet insurance cover neutering?
Pet insurance doesn't cover routine or preventative procedures such as neutering.
In rare circumstances, the procedure might be recommended by a vet as essential treatment for another health problem ManyPets can consider a claim for it if that’s the case.
If your dog’s unfortunate enough to suffer complications during their routine neuter, ManyPets pet insurance can cover the cost of the vet treatment needed to treat the complication.
Help with neutering costs
If you’re on eligible benefits and your dog is an eligible breed, you can qualify for help towards the cost of neutering and other vet care with Dog’s Trust.
You might also find reduced cost or free neutering if you’re eligible to have your dog treated at PDSA hospitals or can apply for means-tested vouchers from the RSPCA.