Many people are concerned about how much it cost to neuter their cat, but they may not know what prices actually look like. Some places make it seem way more expensive than it really is!
Neutering your pet can range in price depending on where you live and who you hire to do it. For most veterinarians, the cost is around $25-30 for dogs and $35-40 for cats.
Some areas have low income clinics that offer free or cheap neutering though, so it is important to find out if there are any such facilities near you.
Many hospitals and veterinary offices hold charity events every year to raise money for the clinic. You should definitely check out whether these happen locally before spending extra money on treatments and services.
Sadly, some vets will try to get as many donations as possible during these events which could influence the price of care you receive.
It costs anywhere from $150 to $400 or more
Photo by Dids on Pexels
Even if you are only planning to neutered your cat for a few months, it is important to know how much money you will spend before doing so. Most veterinary clinics will not charge extra fees because you choose to have a specific procedure done.
Some of the expensive procedures include anesthesia, the surgery itself, and the cost of medications used to make sure that the animal is recovering properly.
Making sure that your kitty is as comfortable as possible can add to the overall cost. If your veterinarian suggests using a drug called ketamine to help with pain management, there may be no additional cost for the medicine, but traveling up in price for the visit!
We recommend reading about ketamine before deciding whether or not to give our patients this medication. There could potentially serious side effects that occur while they are taking it.
Your cat will need to be anesthetized
While some people claim that neutering is not expensive, most do not know what items they include in the cost of spaying or castrating your pet.
Making sure your dog does not get pregnant as well as anesthesia are very important costs for neutering. Anesthesia can range from a few hundred dollars at the least to several thousand dollars per procedure.
Some common types of anesthesia used during neutering procedures are ketamine, xylazine, acepromazine (also known as ace-ap), propofol, and diazepam. Not all facilities use every type, but many use more than one!
There are also different rates for each type depending on the facility you go to. For example, veternarians may charge less for xyalazine due to it being easier to administer then other types.
Once your cat is under, the surgeon will perform the procedure
The cost for this varies depending on where you are located and what services they have available to them. Some clinics offer it free of charge, while others can be expensive.
Some things that can increase the price include anesthesia, the surgery room, and the surgical instruments used. Many hospitals also have veterinary staff that help manage costs by doing some of the work such as pre-surgery visits and monitoring your pet after he comes out.
Most veterinarians agree that the least expensive way to spay or neuter a female cat is via ovariohysterectomy. This means performing only a partial hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and leaving the other parts of the genitalia (the vagina and vulva). For male cats, neutering with an orchiectomy (surgical removal of the testicles) is usually the best choice.
It is important to keep your cat in the hospital for a few hours after the procedure
The cost of neutering a male cat varies depending on the facility, the surgeon you choose, and whether or not they offer night time services. Some facilities have free consultations where veterinarians assess need as well as discuss costs with you!
Mostly what people pay for is the surgery itself which usually takes around an hour. After that, the staff will stay and watch your pet while he recovers so he does not wander off! This can be paid for through veterinary bills or via reward programs at the clinic.
Some hospitals also offer 24-hour care so even if you go home later that day, there are still close by individuals who can help make sure your kitty is okay.
Post-surgery care
For every cat that is neutered, there’s a cost involved. This typically includes the surgery itself, any anesthetics used during the procedure, and veterinary bills for post-operative care.
Most veterinarians agree that around $150-$200 is appropriate as a price tag for most cases of spaying or castrating a young dog or cat. However, this can vary greatly depending on the specific animal, the surgeon you work with, and the length of time required for recovery.
There are many ways to find out how much it costs to neuter your pet. You could ask at the clinic where they perform the surgeries, or look up average prices online.
Some hospitals and clinics offer discount rates if you are willing to pay yearly rather than monthly payments, which can help reduce the total cost.
Your vet will likely prescribe a steroidal antibiotic to be administered after surgery
Photo by Tamba Budiarsana on Pexels
Many veterinarians offer free neuters for cats in their practice. If your cat does not require surgery, this is an excellent way to help reduce overpopulation.
Some vets also offer low cost or even free spay/neutering services to clients. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of these programs.
Avoid letting your cat lick his or her wound
If you are thinking about neutering your cat, make sure you have done some research on what services cost! Many people believe that it only costs around $20 to neuter a cat, but this is not true at all!
Some clinics may offer discounts for multiple surgeries, so ask if they do work benefits as well as medical procedures.
It can also be difficult to compare prices because most clinics require an appointment before they will tell you how much the procedure will cost. Some may even try to upsell you by adding other things like vaccines or heart testing which are not necessary for every animal.
By asking how much the surgery alone usually runs, you’ll get a more accurate price-tag.
Keep your cat isolated until the wound has healed
Even if you have no money to pay for the surgery, there are still ways to help prevent recurrence. One of the most important things is keeping your cat confined while it heals.
You should definitely keep them away from food to reduce stress and aid in healing. You can also try putting towels under the kitty so they cannot lie down or roll around to help dry out the area.
If your pet does get into trouble, use rubbing alcohol or cotton balls to wipe any potential saliva off the incision site. This will prevent infection!”
It is very helpful to buy some basic first-aid supplies such as bandages and disinfectant to clean the wounds properly.
