Neutering is the single biggest planned bill most dog owners face in their pet's first two years, and the one with the widest price variation of anything we track. Across 1,492 UK practices publishing a dog castration price and 1,438 publishing a dog spay price, the same operation ranges from under £100 to over £550.
These are published prices from real practices, not estimates. Here's what dog neutering actually costs in the UK in 2026.
Dog neutering costs, August 2026
- • Castration (male, medium dog): median £249.50 — typical range £220–£286, full range £90–£550 (n=1,492)
- • Spay (female, medium dog): median £340 — typical range £300–£385, full range £117–£800 (n=1,438)
- • Cheapest quarter of practices: castration under £220, spay under £300
- • Most expensive quarter: castration over £286, spay over £385
Source: vetpricecomparisonsite.co.uk index of published UK practice prices. Snapshot 2 August 2026.
How much does it cost to neuter a dog?
For a medium-sized dog at a typical UK practice in 2026, expect £250 for a castration and £340 for a spay. Half of all practices sit within £220–£286 for castration and £300–£385 for spaying.
The spread either side of that is the important part. A quarter of practices charge under £220 to castrate; a quarter charge over £286. Between two practices ten minutes apart you can easily find a £100 difference for an identical, routine procedure, which is why it is always worth getting two or three quotes for something you can plan months in advance.
Why spaying costs more than castration
A castration is a short external procedure; a spay is abdominal surgery. The bitch spay takes longer under general anaesthetic, requires more monitoring and more suture material, and carries a longer recovery. The £90 median gap between the two reflects theatre time more than anything else.
Increasingly, practices also offer laparoscopic (keyhole) spaying, usually £150–£300 more than the conventional operation. It means a smaller incision and faster recovery; it is not clinically necessary for most dogs, but it is worth asking about for large or deep-chested breeds.
Dog neutering cost by size
Almost every practice bands its pricing by weight, because anaesthetic and drug doses scale with body mass. Typical 2026 bands, based on the published price lists in our index:
| Dog size | Typical castration | Typical spay |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 10kg) — terriers, dachshunds, pugs | £170–£230 | £240–£320 |
| Medium (10–25kg) — spaniels, collies, bulldogs | £220–£290 | £300–£390 |
| Large (25–40kg) — labradors, boxers, GSDs | £280–£360 | £380–£480 |
| Giant (over 40kg) — great danes, mastiffs | £340–£450 | £450–£620 |
If you have a large breed, read the price list carefully: several practices quote a headline figure that only applies below 10kg. Our dog breed guides set out the typical adult weight and expected vet costs for each breed, which makes it easier to work out which band you'll land in — the Labrador and German Shepherd guides are good examples.
Dog neutering cost by vet group
Median published prices for a medium-dog castration and spay, by ownership:
| Group | Castration | Spay | Practices sampled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medivet | £233.50 | £318.00 | 314 |
| CVS Group | £243.00 | £353.00 | 346 |
| Independent practices | £245.00 | £325.25 | 351 |
| Pets at Home / Vets4Pets | £250.00 | £330.00 | 251 |
| VetPartners | £276.37 | £360.00 | 141 |
| IVC Evidensia | £334.00 | £458.50 | 68 |
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive group is £100 for a castration and £140 for a spay. Note the small IVC Evidensia sample — 68 practices out of 982 — so treat that row as indicative of the practices that publish rather than the whole group. The full ranking across every service sits in our Corporate Pricing League Table.
Dog neutering cost by county
Median castration price in counties with at least 25 published prices:
| County | Median castration | Practices sampled |
|---|---|---|
| London | £299.50 | 64 |
| North Yorkshire | £281.00 | 34 |
| Berkshire | £268.00 | 37 |
| Surrey | £264.00 | 48 |
| Hampshire | £257.00 | 52 |
| Lancashire | £252.00 | 72 |
| Kent | £250.00 | 72 |
| Essex | £238.00 | 54 |
| West Midlands | £230.00 | 34 |
| Lincolnshire | £210.50 | 34 |
London is £89 dearer than Lincolnshire for the same procedure. If you live near a county boundary, the drive is often worth it for a planned operation — see the full county pricing map.
What's included — and what usually isn't
A quoted neutering price should normally cover the pre-operative check, the general anaesthetic, the surgery, standard pain relief and a post-operative check. Ask specifically about:
- Pre-anaesthetic blood tests — often £45–£80 extra and offered as optional.
- Intravenous fluids during surgery — sometimes an add-on at £40–£70.
- A buster collar or surgical suit — £10–£25 if not included.
- Take-home pain relief — usually included, occasionally billed separately.
- Suture removal — normally free; confirm it.
An "all-in" quote and a headline price can differ by £100 or more, so ask for the total written figure before booking.
How to reduce the cost
- Compare three practices. Neutering is planned surgery; there's no urgency preventing you from ringing round. Use our postcode search to see published prices near you.
- Check charity schemes. The PDSA, RSPCA and Blue Cross run means-tested neutering support, and Dogs Trust offers subsidised neutering in some postcodes and for some breeds.
- Ask about your health plan discount. Most practice plans include 10% off procedures, which is £25–£45 here.
- Don't pay for keyhole unless you want it. Conventional spaying is the clinical standard for most dogs.
Our guide to saving on vet bills covers the wider tactics, and the neutering cost calculator gives you a personalised estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to neuter a dog in the UK?
The median published price is £249.50 for castration and £340 for spaying a medium dog. Half of all UK practices fall between £220–£286 and £300–£385 respectively.
Why is spaying more expensive than castration?
A spay is abdominal surgery requiring longer anaesthetic time, more monitoring and a longer recovery. The typical difference is around £90.
Is it cheaper to neuter a dog at a corporate chain or an independent?
It depends on the chain. Medivet (£233.50) and CVS (£243) are marginally cheaper than the independent median (£245); VetPartners (£276) and IVC Evidensia (£334) are dearer.
At what age should a dog be neutered?
Most UK vets recommend around six months for males and either before the first season or three months after it for females, though large breeds are often left later. Your vet's advice for your specific dog takes priority over any general rule.
Does pet insurance cover neutering?
No. Neutering is elective, so standard pet insurance excludes it. Some practice health plans give a discount but none cover it in full.
Can I get free or low-cost dog neutering?
If you receive certain means-tested benefits you may qualify for PDSA or RSPCA assistance. Dogs Trust runs subsidised neutering campaigns in specific areas and for specific breeds.
Methodology: figures calculated from published prices for 1,492 UK practices (castration) and 1,438 practices (spay) indexed on vetpricecomparisonsite.co.uk. Quoted prices are for a medium-sized dog unless stated. Implausible outliers are excluded. Size-band figures are derived from practice price lists that publish weight tiers. Snapshot 2 August 2026.