How Much Does It Cost to Spay or Neuter a Cat?

Updated October 13, 2026 · 2 min read · 3 sources

Short answer

Spaying or neutering a cat costs about $10 with a voucher, $45 to $75 at nonprofit and humane society clinics, and roughly $216 to $366 at full-service animal hospitals, with neutering at the low end and spaying at the high end. Some private clinics charge as little as $50 to $60. Exams, blood work and medication may be extra.

Cats are spayed and neutered in very large numbers by shelters and nonprofit clinics, which keeps low-cost options widely available. At the same time, full-service hospitals charge several times more. Here's the range.

Cat spay and neuter prices

Provider Spay (female) Neuter (male)
State or county voucher program about $10 about $10
Nonprofit veterinary clinic about $45 about $45
SPCA / humane society about $75 about $75
Private veterinary clinic (example) about $60 about $50
Private animal hospital about $311–$366 about $216–$270
Example: Minneapolis clinic price list $450 $250

Sources: GoodRx's 2024 survey of providers and a clinic price list published by ConsumerAffairs.

Why spaying a cat costs more than neutering

Neutering a male cat is a quick procedure through small incisions in the scrotum. Spaying a female requires abdominal surgery to remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, with more anesthesia time, more materials and more monitoring. A female in heat or pregnant may cost more still.

What can add to the bill

  • Pre-anesthetic exam and blood work
  • Pain medication for home
  • FeLV/FIV testing and vaccines often done at the same visit
  • Microchip
  • An e-collar or recovery suit

Ask whether the quoted price is all-inclusive.

When to spay or neuter a cat

The American Animal Hospital Association endorses the "Fix Felines by Five" recommendation: spay or neuter cats by five months of age. Female kittens can go into heat as early as four months. See when to spay or neuter your cat.

Can you spay or neuter a cat for free?

Sometimes. Voucher programs, shelter clinics and trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs for community cats can bring the cost to zero or close to it, and adoption fees at most shelters include the surgery. See how to find low-cost spay and neuter services and what to do with a stray cat.

Is it worth it?

AAHA lists a lower risk of mammary cancer in females, less spraying and marking in males and fewer unwanted litters as key benefits. Female cats in heat yowl and try to get outside, and unneutered males often roam and fight. See should I spay my cat.

Find veterinarians and shelters with spay/neuter clinics near you.

Sources

  1. GoodRx: How much does it cost to spay or neuter your dog or cat? (2024)
  2. ConsumerAffairs: How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost?
  3. AAHA: Spay or neuter?

Find veterinarians near you

Whether your pet needs a routine checkup, vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery or an emergency vet, compare local veterinarians and animal hospitals by Google rating, reviews and opening hours below.

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This article is general information for pet owners, not veterinary, legal or financial advice. Prices vary by city and clinic; always ask your veterinarian or provider about your own pet.

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