TL;DR (live UK averages, June 2026)
- • Dog castration: £257.74 average (range ~£140–£600)
- • Bitch spay: £350.28 average (range ~£200–£800+)
- • Cat castration: £107.58 average (range ~£55–£200)
- • Cat spay: £151.06 average (range ~£90–£280)
- • Charity routes (Cats Protection, RSPCA, Blue Cross, PDSA, Dogs Trust) can reduce costs to £5–£30 contributions for eligible owners.
Why prices vary so much
Five factors drive the spread:
- Patient size and sex. A Great Dane spay is anaesthetised for far longer than a Chihuahua and uses more drugs and consumables.
- What's included. Some prices are all-in (pre-op consult, anaesthetic, surgery, pain relief, post-op check, e-collar); others are surgical fee only with extras billed separately.
- Pre-op bloods. Recommended in older or higher-risk patients — typically adds £40–£80.
- Take-home medication. Post-op NSAIDs (Metacam, Loxicom, Onsior) usually add £10–£25.
- Location. London and the South East run noticeably higher than the rest of the UK.
Average UK prices by species and sex
Calculated from the published prices of ~1,150 UK practices in our database (June 2026 refresh):
| Procedure | Average | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Dog castration (male) | £257.74 | £140–£600 |
| Bitch spay (female dog) | £350.28 | £200–£800+ |
| Cat castration (male) | £107.58 | £55–£200 |
| Cat spay (female) | £151.06 | £90–£280 |
Bitch spays consistently cost ~£90 more than dog castrations because they are abdominal surgery requiring longer anaesthesia and internal suturing. Cat spay vs castration shows the same pattern at smaller numbers.
What's usually included (and what isn't)
Typically included: pre-op consult, anaesthetic, surgery, basic pain relief on the day, one post-op check.
Often charged extra:
- Pre-op blood test (£40–£80)
- Take-home pain relief (£10–£25)
- Buster collar or recovery suit (£8–£25)
- Microchip if not already done (£15–£30)
- Cryptorchid (retained testicle) surcharge (£50–£150)
- Pregnancy or in-season surcharge for bitch/cat spay (£50–£150)
- Weight band uplift for large-breed dogs (varies)
Always ask for an all-in written quote before booking. From 2026, the CMA's reforms require itemised estimates for any non-emergency procedure over £300.
Charity and low-cost routes
- Cats Protection — means-tested neutering vouchers (typical £5 contribution).
- RSPCA branches — local vouchers; eligibility varies by branch.
- Blue Cross clinics — London, Grimsby, Merthyr Tydfil, Hammersmith.
- PDSA pet hospitals — for owners on qualifying benefits.
- Dogs Trust neutering scheme — supports owners on benefits.
- Celia Hammond Animal Trust — London / South East.
Best age to neuter
UK guidance has evolved:
- Cats: the Kitten Neutering Initiative (BVA-backed) recommends 4 months for both sexes — well before sexual maturity, fewer unwanted litters, faster recovery.
- Female dogs: traditional advice was 6 months pre-first-season; more recent BSAVA guidance recognises some large breeds benefit from waiting until skeletal maturity (12–18 months). Discuss with your vet.
- Male dogs: from ~6 months; can be delayed in giant breeds.
Health and behaviour: what neutering does and doesn't do
It does: eliminate unwanted pregnancy, reduce mammary tumour and pyometra risk in bitches if done before first or second season, eliminate testicular cancer risk in males, reduce roaming and urine-marking in tomcats, prevent FIV/FeLV spread by reducing fighting.
It doesn't: automatically calm a hyperactive dog, fix behavioural problems unrelated to sex hormones, or cause weight gain by itself (over-feeding does). Some studies suggest a small joint-disease risk increase for very early neutering in giant breeds — discuss with your vet.
How to find a good price near you
Use our postcode search to compare published neutering prices at practices within your chosen radius. Filter by species/procedure and look at the all-in figure rather than the surgical fee alone. For broader cost context see our UK vet pricing data report.
FAQs
Is laser/keyhole neutering worth the extra cost?
Laparoscopic bitch spays cost £150–£300 more but typically mean smaller incisions and faster recovery. Worth considering for active or working dogs.
Do I need pre-op bloods?
Routine for older or higher-risk patients; optional for young healthy ones. Cost-benefit is a conversation with your vet.
How long is recovery?
Cats: usually back to normal in 5–7 days. Dogs: 10–14 days for castration, up to 14 days for a spay. Buster collar or recovery suit for at least 10 days.
Can my pet still be neutered if she's in season or pregnant?
Yes, but expect a surcharge (£50–£150) due to surgical complexity and increased bleeding risk.
About the data: Averages calculated from prices published by UK practices' own websites and refreshed June 2026 (n=~1,150). Ranges reflect the 10th–90th percentile across our dataset. This article is general information, not surgical advice for a specific patient.