RESEARCH
How much does it cost to neuter a dog or cat in the UK?
Rightvet compared published neutering prices at thousands of UK veterinary practices. The cost depends on species, sex, size, location, and whether your vet is part of a group or independent. Here’s what the data shows.
Published 1 March 2026 · 5 min read · Source: Rightvet analysis of published neutering prices across UK first-opinion practices
Key findings
Dog castration typically costs £260 in the UK, based on published prices from 2,166 practices. Dog spaying typically costs £360. Cat neutering is cheaper: £110 for castration. Group practices charge 10% less than independents for dog castration (£260 vs £290). Prices vary widely by dog size, region, and practice type.
Neutering is the single most expensive routine procedure most pet owners will face. Unlike vaccinations or microchipping, neutering prices vary dramatically depending on species, sex, size, location, and whether your vet is part of a group or independent.
Rightvet collected published neutering prices from 2,708 UK practices and compared them across every variable that affects cost.
The national picture
Dog castration (small)
N/A
typical · 0 practices(limited data)
Dog castration (medium)
N/A
typical · 0 practices(limited data)
Dog castration (large)
N/A
typical · 0 practices(limited data)
Dog spay (small)
N/A
typical · 0 practices(limited data)
Dog spay (medium)
£434.70
typical · 2 practices(limited data)
Dog spay (large)
N/A
typical · 0 practices(limited data)
Cat castration
£110
typical · 3,186 practices
Cat spay
£152.45
typical · 3,038 practices
| ProcedureProcedure | MedianMedian | Low endLow end | High endHigh end | PracticesPractices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog castration (small) | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 |
| Dog castration (medium) | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 |
| Dog castration (large) | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 |
| Dog spay (small) | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 |
| Dog spay (medium) | £434.70 | £434.70 | £434.70 | 2 |
| Dog spay (large) | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 |
| Cat castration | £110 | £77.10 | £308.56 | 3,186 |
| Cat spay | £152.45 | £105 | £450.50 | 3,038 |
Rightvet database, March 2026. Dog prices shown by weight band: small = under 20kg, medium = 20–40kg, large = over 40kg. Range shows 5th to 95th percentile to exclude subsidised and outlier prices. Weight categories follow the CMA standardised pricing framework.
Dogs vs cats
Dog neutering costs more than cat neutering. Dogs are larger, require more anaesthetic, and the surgery takes longer, especially spaying, which is a more invasive abdominal procedure.
| Castration | £260 | £110 |
| Spay | £360 | £152.45 |
Rightvet database. Dog prices filtered to small weight band (under 20kg). Weight categories follow the CMA standardised pricing framework.
Spaying is more expensive than castration for both species. The procedure is longer, requires a larger incision, and carries more post-operative care. The gap between castration and spaying is typically £100 for dogs and £42.45 for cats.
Group vs independent
The ownership gap on neutering is larger than on consultations. Where the consultation gap is around 2%, the neutering gap is considerably wider.
| ProcedureProcedure | Group medianGroup | Independent medianIndependent | GapGap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog castration | £260 | £290 | -10.3% |
| Dog spay | £357.50 | £397 | -9.9% |
| Cat castration | £109.05 | £108.20 | +0.8% |
| Cat spay | £152 | £149.50 | +1.7% |
Rightvet database. Group = practices in a major group. Independent = all others. Dog prices filtered to small weight band (under 20kg). Weight categories follow the CMA standardised pricing framework.
-10.3%
group premium on dog castration - the widest gap across neutering procedures
This mirrors the broader pattern Rightvet found in first-year puppy costs: neutering drives most of the gap between group and independent practices. The more expensive the procedure, the bigger the group premium.
Dog size matters
Larger dogs cost more to neuter. They need more anaesthetic and the surgery takes longer. Most practices price by weight band, though not all publish band-specific pricing. As more practices publish detailed prices, Rightvet will break this down further.
Regional variation
Neutering prices vary by region, following a similar pattern to consultation prices. Where you live can matter as much as which vet you choose.
| RegionRegion | Median neutering priceMedian | PracticesPractices |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | £133 | 51 |
| Wales | £161.11 | 114 |
| North East | £169 | 102 |
| East Midlands | £170 | 233 |
| Yorkshire | £175 | 178 |
| North West | £185 | 265 |
| South West | £186.39 | 300 |
| West Midlands | £195.60 | 179 |
| East of England | £199 | 196 |
| Scotland | £199.60 | 203 |
| South East | £214 | 554 |
| London | £216 | 128 |
Rightvet database. Median across all neutering procedures (dog small weight band + cat). Weight categories follow the CMA standardised pricing framework. Regions with 10+ practices publishing neutering prices.
£83
the gap in median neutering price between Northern Ireland (£133) and London (£216)
The cheapest quote isn’t always the cheapest option
A low neutering price might not include pre-operative blood tests, post-operative pain relief, a buster collar, or follow-up checks. Some practices bundle everything in; others charge for each item separately. The headline price can be misleading.
Rightvet’s analysis of vet pricing found the same pattern with consultations: the cheapest consultation doesn’t mean the cheapest vet overall. The same dynamic applies to vaccinations and boosters. Use Rightvet’s price comparison tool to see what practices near you charge for every procedure, not just one.
Free and low-cost neutering
If cost is a barrier, several UK charities offer free or subsidised neutering for pet owners on low incomes or receiving certain benefits:
- PDSA - free neutering for eligible owners at PDSA Pet Hospitals and participating practices. Eligibility is based on receiving certain means-tested benefits and living in the catchment area of a PDSA hospital.
- Blue Cross - offers subsidised neutering through its animal hospitals and partner practices for pet owners on low incomes.
- Dogs Trust - runs subsidised neutering campaigns in some areas, particularly targeting areas with high stray dog populations.
- Cats Protection - offers neutering vouchers and runs regular campaigns to reduce the cost of cat neutering. Their network covers most of the UK.
- Local councils - some local authorities offer subsidised or free neutering schemes, often in partnership with local charities. Check with your local council.
Eligibility criteria vary. Most schemes require proof of benefits or low income. Even if you don’t qualify for free neutering, it’s worth comparing prices between practices. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive in the same area can be £200 or more.
Chemical castration: a temporary alternative
Before we move on to what to do before booking, there’s one alternative worth knowing about. Chemical castration uses a hormone implant (sold as Suprelorin, the active ingredient is deslorelin) instead of surgery. The implant suppresses testosterone and lasts roughly 6 to 12 months depending on the size used. It’s only available for male dogs, not for cats or female dogs.
Cost is typically £100 to £200 for the implant itself, plus a consultation fee on top. Vets sometimes suggest it as a trial run before permanent surgical castration, so the owner can see how the dog’s behaviour changes once testosterone drops. If the effects are positive, the owner can then go ahead with surgery. If not, the implant simply wears off and the dog returns to normal.
Chemical castration doesn’t appear in most practice price lists, which is why Rightvet doesn’t have comparison data for it. If you’re interested, ask your vet directly about availability and cost.
ACTIONS
What to do before booking neutering
A few minutes of research can save you hundreds of pounds:
- 1Compare neutering prices near you before booking. Don’t assume your current vet is the cheapest.
- 2Ask what’s included in the price. Post-op pain relief, a buster collar, and follow-up checks should be standard, but not all practices include them.
- 3Check if you qualify for charity-funded neutering through PDSA, Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, or Cats Protection.
- 4If you have a medium or large dog (over 20kg), get a weight-specific quote. The difference between small and large dog neutering can be substantial.
Common questions about neutering costs
The CMA’s provisional decision estimated that pet owners have been overcharged by “at minimum around £1 billion over five years.” Neutering is one of the procedures where the price variation is widest and comparison is hardest. The proposed remedies would require all practices to publish prices for 48 specific services, including neutering for dogs and cats. The CMA’s final decision is expected between February and May 2026.
Compare neutering prices near you
Rightvet compares published neutering prices at every UK practice. Enter your postcode to see what local vets charge.
Check neutering prices →More research
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