How much does it cost to neuter a male dog in the UK?

Dog castration in the UK usually costs between £150 and £300. Prices vary by region, practice type and the dog's size. Some charities offer reduced rates for owners on means-tested benefits.

How much does it cost to spay a cat in the UK?

Based on live FairPaw data, cat spaying prices in the UK range from around £105 to £169, with a typical price near £136. Prices include the procedure, anaesthetic and standard pain relief.

How much does it cost to neuter a male cat in the UK?

Live FairPaw prices show male cat neutering ranging from about £71 to £130, with a typical cost near £105. It is one of the most common routine procedures and is usually done as a day case.

Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?

Most pet insurance policies do not cover routine spaying or neutering because it is an elective procedure. Some wellness or preventative-care add-ons may contribute toward the cost.

Updated for 2026 · Based on live vet price lists

Spay and neuter costs in the UK: what you'll pay in 2026

Q: How much does it cost to spay a dog in the UK?

A bitch spay in the UK typically costs between £200 and £450. Large or heavy dogs, older dogs, and practices in London or the South East tend to be at the higher end of the range. The fee usually includes the pre-op check, general anaesthetic, surgery, pain relief and a post-op check.

Q: What is included in a spay or neuter price?

A standard spay/neuter fee usually includes the pre-operative consultation, general anaesthetic, the surgery itself, pain relief to go home with, and a post-operative check. Extras such as blood tests, IV fluids, cones, or antibiotics may be charged separately.

Q: At what age should a cat or dog be spayed or neutered?

Cats are often neutered from four months old. Dogs are usually neutered from six months, but the best timing depends on breed, size and individual health. Your vet can advise based on a clinical exam.

A clear, practical guide to cat and dog spaying and neutering prices. See what affects the cost, what is included, and how to find a fair local price.

Compare live prices near you

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Coverage: BN, PO, RH, BH, DT postcodes. More regions added weekly.

Live price snapshot from FairPaw

These ranges come from prices currently published by vet practices on FairPaw. They are a starting point: your local quote may differ by breed, weight and what is included.

Procedure	Typical range	Median from live data	Action
Dog female spaying	£200 – £450	—	Compare
Dog male neutering	£150 – £300	—	Compare
Cat female spaying	£97 – £152	£128	Compare
Cat male neutering	£64 – £117	£95	Compare

Dog prices are not yet fully populated in our live dataset; we show conservative market ranges until more practices publish them. Cat figures are calculated from current FairPaw listings.

What affects spay and neuter prices?

Species and sex

A bitch spay is more complex than a castrate, so it costs more. Cat procedures are usually cheaper than dog procedures because of size and anaesthetic needs.

Weight and size

Larger animals need more anaesthetic, more surgical time and larger doses of pain relief. Many practices price by weight band.

Age and health

Older or overweight pets, and those with undescended testicles or prior seasons, may need extra tests or a more involved procedure.

Region and practice type

London and the South East are typically more expensive than the North. Corporate chains and independent practices may price differently.

What's included

Some headline prices include the consultation, anaesthetic, surgery, pain relief and post-op check. Others charge these separately.

Aftercare and extras

Cones, buster collars, antibiotics, blood tests, IV fluids and follow-up visits can add to the total. Always ask what is included.

What is usually included in the price?

Pre-operative health check
General anaesthetic
The surgical procedure
Pain relief to go home
Post-operative check (usually 3-10 days later)
Surgical gown or shaved area preparation

Ask before you book: is the price fixed or weight-based? Are blood tests, IV fluids, cones or antibiotics extra? Does it include a follow-up visit?

Regional price differences

Vet prices in the UK are not uniform. London and the South East generally sit at the top of the range, while the North of England, Wales and Scotland can be 15-30% lower for the same procedure.

London & South East

£250 – £500+

Highest prices

South Coast / Midlands

£180 – £350

Mid-range

North / Wales / Scotland

£150 – £300

Often lower

When should you spay or neuter?

Cats

Kittens can be neutered from around four months old, before they reach sexual maturity. Early neutering is recommended by most UK charities and vet bodies to prevent unwanted litters.

Dogs

Many dogs are neutered from six months, but the right timing depends on breed, size and health. Large breeds are sometimes left longer. Discuss timing with your vet.

How to keep costs down

Compare local practices▼

Prices for the same procedure can vary by £100 or more within a few miles. Use FairPaw to compare published price lists side by side.

Ask about charity schemes▼

Charities such as Cats Protection, Dogs Trust and the Blue Cross sometimes offer low-cost neutering for owners on means-tested benefits.

Book a fixed-price package▼

Some practices offer all-inclusive neutering packages. These can be cheaper than paying for each item separately.

Time it right▼

Avoid emergency or out-of-hours fees by booking a routine daytime slot. Spaying a female in season or pregnant is usually more expensive.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to spay a dog in the UK?▼

A bitch spay typically costs between £200 and £450. Large dogs, older dogs and practices in London or the South East tend to be at the higher end.

How much does it cost to neuter a male dog?▼

Dog castration usually costs between £150 and £300. The price depends on the dog's size, the practice and the region.

How much does it cost to spay a cat?▼

Based on live FairPaw data, cat spaying prices range from about £105 to £169, with a typical price near £136.

How much does it cost to neuter a male cat?▼

Live FairPaw prices show male cat neutering ranging from about £71 to £130, with a typical cost near £105.

What is included in a spay or neuter price?▼

A standard fee usually includes the pre-op consultation, general anaesthetic, surgery, pain relief to go home with and a post-op check. Extras may be charged separately.

Does pet insurance cover neutering?▼

Most pet insurance policies do not cover routine spaying or neutering. Some wellness add-ons may contribute toward the cost.

At what age should a cat or dog be neutered?▼

Cats are often neutered from four months. Dogs are usually neutered from six months, but the best timing depends on breed, size and health.

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