--- title: "Dog Neutering Cost UK 2026: Real Prices From 2,300 Vets" description: "Dog castration has a median UK price of £255 and spaying £350, from 2,300+ published practice prices. Costs by size, region and vet group, updated September 2026." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "The Vet Price Comparison Site", "alternateName": "VetPrices", "url": "https://vetpricecomparisonsite.co.uk" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "The Vet Price Comparison Site", "alternateName": "VetPrices", "url": "https://vetpricecomparisonsite.co.uk", "logo": "https://vetpricecomparisonsite.co.uk/web-app-manifest-512x512.png" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Dog Neutering Cost UK 2026: Real Prices From 2,300 Practices", "description": "How much does it cost to neuter a dog in the UK? Castration averages £255 and spaying £350 at the median, but prices run from £90 to £550. Real published prices, by size, region and vet group.", "image": "https://vetpricecomparisonsite.co.uk/assets/dog-neutering-cost-DCn-Isy5.webp", "datePublished": "2 August 2026", "dateModified": "1 September 2026", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "The Vet Price Comparison Site editorial team" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Vet Price Comparison Site", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://vetpricecomparisonsite.co.uk/web-app-manifest-512x512.png" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://vetpricecomparisonsite.co.uk/blog/dog-neutering-cost-uk-2026" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://vetpricecomparisonsite.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://vetpricecomparisonsite.co.uk/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dog Neutering Cost UK 2026: Real Prices From 2,300 Practices" } ] } ] --- [How It Works](/#how-it-works)[Pricing Map](/county-pricing)[About Us](/#who-we-are) [![The Vet Price Comparison Site](/assets/logo-v3-BBKbOnyg.webp)](/) [Blog](/blog)[For Vets](/for-vets)[Claim Your Listing](/practice/claim) [How It Works](/#how-it-works)[Pricing Map](/county-pricing)[About Us](/#who-we-are)[Blog](/blog)[For Vets](/for-vets)[Claim Your Listing](/practice/claim)[Claim Your Listing](/practice/claim) 1. [Home](/) 3. [Blog](/blog) 5. Dog Neutering Cost UK 2026: Real Prices From 2,300 Practices [Back to Blog](/blog) Cost Guides 2 August 2026 12 min read # Dog Neutering Cost UK 2026: Real Prices From 2,300 Practices By The Vet Price Comparison Site editorial team · Last reviewed 1 September 2026 ![Dog Neutering Cost UK 2026: Real Prices From 2,300 Practices](/assets/dog-neutering-cost-DCn-Isy5.webp) 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 **2,300 UK practices publishing a dog castration price** and **2,222 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, September 2026 - • **Castration (male, medium dog):** median £255 — typical range £225–£306, full range £90–£550 (n=2,300) - • **Spay (female, medium dog):** median £350 — typical range £305–£403, full range £117–£800 (n=2,222) - • Cheapest quarter of practices: castration under £225, spay under £305 - • Most expensive quarter: castration over £306, spay over £403 Source: [vetpricecomparisonsite.co.uk](/) index of published UK practice prices. Snapshot 1 September 2026. ## How much does it cost to neuter a dog? For a medium-sized dog at a typical UK practice in 2026, expect **£255 for a castration** and **£350 for a spay**. Half of all practices sit within £225–£306 for castration and £305–£403 for spaying. The spread either side of that is the important part. A quarter of practices charge under £225 to castrate; a quarter charge over £306. 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 £350–£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](/guides/dog-breeds) 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](/guides/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever) and [German Shepherd](/guides/dog-breeds/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](/blog/medivet-prices-uk-2026) £233.00 £317.00 324 [CVS Group](/blog/cvs-group-prices-uk-2026) £243.00 £353.00 347 Independent practices £244.66 £325.00 637 [Pets at Home / Vets4Pets](/blog/vets4pets-price-list-uk-2026) £250.00 £330.00 364 [VetPartners](/blog/vetpartners-prices-uk-2026) £270.96 £365.00 216 [IVC Evidensia](/blog/ivc-evidensia-prices-uk-2026) £352.00 £470.00 340 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](/guides/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 £293.50 110 Berkshire £282.00 49 Surrey £272.50 84 North Yorkshire £272.00 46 West Yorkshire £263.00 65 Hampshire £262.00 79 Kent £260.00 99 Lancashire £259.00 102 Devon £248.53 74 Essex £239.00 75 West Midlands £235.00 61 Lincolnshire £215.00 52 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](/county-pricing). ## 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](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/help-with-vet-bills), 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](/blog/how-to-save-on-vet-bills) covers the wider tactics, and the [neutering cost calculator](/calculators/neutering) gives you a personalised estimate. ## How much does it cost to spay a dog? Spaying a female dog is the single most-searched neutering price in the UK, and the answer from our index is **£350 at the median**. Half of the 2,222 practices publishing a bitch spay price charge between **£305 and £403**; the cheapest quarter sit under £305 and the dearest quarter above £403. Size moves that figure more than anything else. On the published weight bands in our index, a spay for a dog under 10kg typically lands close to £290–£320, a 10–25kg dog around £340–£380, and a large breed over 40kg commonly £450–£550. A keyhole (laparoscopic) spay adds roughly £150–£300 on top, and a bitch spayed while in season or pregnant usually attracts a £50–£150 surcharge for the extra surgical time and bleeding risk. What that price should include: the pre-operative check, the general anaesthetic, the surgery itself, standard pain relief to go home with, and the post-operative check. Ask specifically whether a buster collar or recovery suit, take-home medication and any dissolvable-suture removal check are inside the quote — those are the three items most often billed separately. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does it cost to neuter a dog in the UK? The median published price is £255 for castration and £350 for spaying a medium dog. Half of all UK practices fall between £225–£306 and £305–£403 respectively. ### How much does it cost to spay a dog in the UK? £350 is the median published price for a medium dog, with half of UK practices between £305 and £403. Small dogs are typically £290–£320 and large breeds £450–£550. Keyhole spays add £150–£300. ### How much is dog neutering at Pets at Home vets (Vets4Pets)? Across the 453 Pets at Home group branches in our index, the median is **£250 for a dog castration** and **£330 for a dog spay** — slightly below the national medians and below IVC Evidensia, but above Medivet. Every branch is a joint venture that sets its own fees, so check your own branch: our [Vets4Pets price list guide](/blog/vets4pets-price-list-uk-2026) has the full breakdown. ### 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) and CVS (£243) are marginally cheaper than the independent median (£244.66); Pets at Home / Vets4Pets sit at £250, while VetPartners (£271) and IVC Evidensia (£352) 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 2,300 UK practices (castration) and 2,222 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 1 September 2026. ## Sources & further reading - [Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) — Find a Vet register](https://findavet.rcvs.org.uk/) - [PDSA — Neutering your dog](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/other-veterinary-advice/neutering-your-dog) - [Dogs Trust — Neutering](https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/health/neutering) - [Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) — Veterinary services market investigation](https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/veterinary-services-for-household-pets-market-investigation) [Browse all articles](/blog) [![The Vet Price Comparison Site](/assets/logo-v3-BBKbOnyg.webp)](/) The UK's leading vet price comparison site. Helping pet owners find affordable, transparent veterinary care. 100% independent — no ads, no referral commissions. #### Stay in the loop Get our occasional newsletter and price-change alerts for vet practices near you. 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