How much does it cost to neuter a dog?

Neutering a dog costs $70 to $600 in 2026. What changes your price is below.

Webvet's vet reviewed 2026 guide puts neutering at about $70 to $250 for a small dog and $250 to $600 or more for a large dog at a private vet. Low cost and shelter clinics start around $50 to $150. Spaying a female usually costs more.

Estimate the cost to neuter a dog

Pick what you need and add your ZIP. The price updates as you go. Got a price already? Check it in the last step.

1Which one do you need?

2Surgery

3What is your ZIP?

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4Got a price?

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Is this price fair?

A fair price is $70 to $250.

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Low$160High

Your estimateUS average

$70to$250

Middle of the range: $160

$0$170$340

Normal range Middle

What you are paying for

Small dogPrivate vet. US range for this job.$70 to $250

Neuter (male)Surgery.Base price

US averageLocal prices not added yet.US price

Middle of rangeHalfway between low and high.$160

How we calculate this

Prices are for the United States in 2026 from published cost guides, checked September 2026. This is an estimate, not a quote.

Middle $160$70 to $250

Cost by clinic and size

Small dog, private vet	$70 to $250.
Large or giant dog, private vet	$250 to $600 or more.
Low cost or shelter clinic	$50 to $150.
Low cost clinic (PetMD)	$45 to $135.
Average neuter, private practice	About $250 (ThePricer).

What pushes a quote up

Dog size	The biggest cost driver.
Clinic type	Low cost clinics charge far less.
Location	City clinics cost more.
Add ons	Bloodwork, pain meds and cones may be extra.
Age and health	Older dogs may need more tests.

Dog neuter cost by region

Lower cost states	$55 to $475. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas.
Average cost states	$70 to $600. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities.
Higher cost states	$90 to $775. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC.

These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. City clinics generally cost more than rural ones.

Where to find low cost help

Low cost and free spay and neuter help is available through the ASPCA, the Humane Society, SNAP and TCAP programs, PetSmart Charities and Petco Love, according to Webvet.

Most standard pet insurance does not cover neutering, but many wellness add on plans do.

Ask what the price includes. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork, pain medication and a cone are sometimes separate lines.

How to judge the quote in your hand

Ask what is included: bloodwork, pain meds, cone.
Ask the price for your dog's weight.
Ask about follow up visits.
Ask about vaccines required.
Compare a low cost clinic.

Ways to pay less

Use a low cost or shelter clinic.
Check SNAP, TCAP and local programs.
Use a wellness plan if you have one.
Neuter while your dog is smaller if your vet agrees.

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A real low cost clinic price list

Low cost clinics often price by weight. One SPCA clinic's price list, updated August 1, 2026, shows these neuter prices.

Up to 40 pounds: $150. 41 to 60 pounds: $200. 61 to 80 pounds: $250. 81 to 100 pounds: $300.

A retained testicle, called cryptorchid, adds $50 to $150. Flat faced breeds like bulldogs add $35 to $75 for the extra anesthesia care.

The same clinic asks for a $100 deposit for dogs and a current rabies shot.

Why a private vet costs more

A full service vet often includes an exam, bloodwork before anesthesia, pain medicine and a cone. That can push the price to $250 to $600 for a big dog.

Most pet insurance does not pay for neutering. Some wellness add on plans pay back up to about $150.

The ASPCA, local humane societies and state voucher programs can lower the price or cover it for low income owners.