How Much Does It Cost To Spay A Dog?

The cost to spay a dog ranges from $20-$500, depending on location, veterinarian clinic, the size and age of the dog, and if the dog is pregnant or in heat. The cost of spaying a dog using traditional spaying techniques ranges from $30-$400, while the cost using laser surgery is around $400-$500. The cost of spaying a dog is usually higher for older dogs and overweight dogs than for younger dogs in good health. Larger dogs cost more to spay than smaller dogs as larger dogs require more aesthesia. The cost to spay a dog is higher for dogs that are pregnant or in heat than for dogs that are not. The cost to spay a dog that is pregnant is usually $50-$100 more, while the cost for spaying a dog that is in heat is about $25 more than average spay costs. The cost of spaying a dog is usually less expensive in small town and rural veterinarian clinics than in big city veterinarian clinics. Animal shelters and non-profit veterinarian clinics usually offer discounts on costs to spay a dog. Dogs will have to have up to date vaccinations and a check up before they can be spayed.

Average Cost To Spay A Dog

From a private veterinarian clinic, the average cost to spay a dog is around $200. From an animal shelter or non-profit veterinarian clinic, the average cost is around $60.

However, the cost of spaying a dog can vary from $20-$500. Spaying can also be done using laser surgery; the average cost of spaying a dog using laser surgery is $400-$500. The cost to spay a dog varies depending on location, veterinarian clinic, the age and size of the dog and if the dog is in heat or is pregnant. The average cost to spay a dog is less in small towns and rural communities than in large cities. Before a dog is spayed, he must have a veterinarian check up and have up to date vaccinations. The average cost of a veterinarian check-up is around $40 and the average cost of a dog’s first vaccination is around $80. Dogs that are older than five years old usually have to have blood work done to ensure they are in good enough health for the surgery, the average cost of blood tests is about $50. The cost to spay a dog does not always include post surgery pain medications; pain medication costs $25-$50.

Spay Neuter Assistance Program

The Spay Neuter Assistance Programs or SNAP for short is a program that helps low-income pet owners pay for the spaying or neutering of their pets.  The goal of SNAP is to decrease the pet population so there are not so many unwanted and abandoned pets. SNAP operates throughout North America. Through SNAP, the cost of spaying a dog is $65. In the United States, to be eligible for SNAP, you must be receiving one of the following: food stamps, Major VA disability, Medicaid, Public school free lunch program, Section 8 housing, supplemented security income, social security disability or WIC.  Those who qualify for SNAP will be issued a voucher that can be redeemed at a participating veterinarian clinic.

When To Spay A Dog

Most female dogs have their first heat when they are 7-9 months old; during this time the dog could become pregnant. The best age to spay a dog is before they experience their first heat to ensure no accidental pregnancies occur. Most veterinarians agree that the best age to spay a dog is when they are around four months old. However, some veterinarians prefer to spay puppies earlier at two to three months of age, while other veterinarians prefer to wait until they are five to six months of age.

Can You Spay A Dog In Heat?

Dogs can be spayed while they are in heat, but as the spaying surgery is more complicated due to the dog’s uterus being slightly swollen from the heat cycle, it usually costs more. The average cost to spay a dog that is in heat is about $25 more than spaying a dog that is not in heat.

Are Female Dogs Spayed Or Neutered?

Female dogs are spayed, while male dogs are neutered. The medical term for spaying a female dog is an ovariohysterectomy. When a female dog is spayed the veterinarian removes her reproduction organs. Once a dog has her reproduction organs removed, she will no longer go into heat and cannot get pregnant.