Spaying or ovariohysterectomy involves removing parts of the reproductive system from a female cat in order to prevent her from reproducing. Cat owners consider it an essential procedure for the health and population control of their cats due to the benefits it confers. But, a question arises that when to spay a cat? A cat must be at least 6-8 weeks of age and weigh a minimum of 2 pounds to be eligible for the procedure. Ideally, spaying should take place before the cat reaches sexual maturity. Read on further to know how much does it cost to spay a cat and the benefits of doing it.
How Much Does It Cost To Spay A Cat?
Many variables determine the overall cat spay cost. If an owner chooses to opt for a private veterinary practice, the bill may amount from $300 to $500. It is possible that the cost of the procedure can be as low as $50 if it is performed at a non-profit spay service, though the exact amount may be dependent on your location. Some pet insurance plans cover spaying and neutering surgeries.
If yours provides a similar benefit, the procedure’s cumulative cost will be much less. Spaying a female cat is more complicated and requires a longer recovery than neutering in males, and the cost is comparatively higher. Additionally, your cat should have all her vaccinations up-to-date before the surgery, and if she isn’t vaccinated already, the vaccine cost would be added to the final bill. Ever wondred how much does it cost to spay a cat, the general prices of some essential vaccines are as follows :
- Rabies: $15 – $20
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis : $30 – $60
- Feline Calcivirus : $15 – $20
- Distemper : $50 – $30
Vaccine boosters may cost up to $130 in additional charges.
The final cost for spaying a female cat may also vary depending on whether you decide to undergo specific additional procedures like pre-anesthetic blood screening, an IV catheter with intravenous fluids, and special monitoring. Apart from the cost of the actual procedure, you may be charged extra for the following :
- Pain-management medication
- Surgical monitoring
- Cat carrier may be required post-surgery during the cats’ recovery period
- Preventative medication (such as cat flea shampoo) for fleas, ticks, and worms
Some clinics may also vary their charges depending on the animal’s weight. Any variable that may complicate the procedure also increases how much does it cost to spay a cat?. For example, clinics charge more to operate on a pregnant female cat or in her heat period.
Benefits Of Spaying Or Neutering Your Cat
In the United States, approximately 3.7 million animals are euthanized each year because there aren’t enough people to adopt them. In order to reduce this overwhelming number, neutered cats play a significant role.
A non-spayed female cat may give birth to up to 100 kittens in her lifetime. Finding homes for these new kittens can prove to be a tedious task. Even if you decide to keep them, the cumulative cost of vaccination, parasite control, food, and toys for all the kittens in a litter can prove to be a sizeable sum. There is also a chance of the mother developing severe complications during deliveries.
Spaying also eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers. The most common type of cancer among unspayed cats is breast cancer. In cats spayed before their first heat cycle, the risk of developing breast cancer is as low as 0.5%. Spaying also reduces the risk of developing pyometra, a condition of the uterus that can prove fatal. In cats with health conditions like diabetes or epilepsy, spaying provides the additional benefit of preventing hormone changes, which, in an unspayed cat with a similar condition, can potentially interfere with their medication and reduce their efficacy.
In male cats, neutering significantly reduces the risk of testicular and prostate cancers. It also reduces their aggression and tendencies to fight other male cats, reducing the risk of cat bites, which are common infections.
By eliminating their sexual behaviors, spaying, and neutering significantly reduce behavioral issues in neutered male cats like spraying foul-smelling urine to mark their territories, constantly getting into fights with neighborhood cats, and female cats howling during their heat period. Additionally, it prevents them from wandering around aimlessly looking for a mate and getting lost.
Difference Between Cat Spay And Neuter
Spaying involves the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus from a female cat through a small incision on the left-hand side of the abdomen. At the same time, neutering removes testicles and associated structures from a male cat through two small incisions in the scrotum. Spaying is typically a longer and more complicated procedure and has a longer recovery time than neutering, which is minimally invasive and usually doesn’t require stitches. Owing to the less complicated nature of neutering, it costs much less and has a shorter recovery period.
How Can I Get My Cat Spayed Or Neutered For Free?
Local animal shelters may provide services for significantly lower prices or by donation if owners require financial assistance. In some low cost for spay and neuter clinics, you should provide proof of low income or of being a recipient of government benefits. If you really want to know how much to spay a cat, lost cost neuter can cost $35 to $100 and spaying can cost $50 to $150. The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) outlines a list of institutions that perform the procedures at lower costs. Contacting nearby shelters and enquiring about potential low-cost spaying/neutering drives can help find options that are both low in cost and provide your cat with the best care.
Many veterinarians and veterinary assistants run mobile clinics that travel from place to place to carry out the procedures quickly and efficiently, at prices as low as $60-$80 for spaying and $40-$60 for neutering. Many veterinary schools also run low-cost clinics that provide affordable professional care. The SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and other humanitarian societies organize various drives that provide free neutering for cats.
If you are looking to adopt a cat in the future, adopting from an animal shelter may prove beneficial as the cat spay and neuter is already done, and the cost for the same may be included in the adoption fee. Some private rescue groups also take the initiative of spaying/neutering the cats before giving them up for adoption.
Conclusion
So this is all about cat spay cost, Spaying a cat is a crucial step to ensure their furry friend’s long-term wellness, even if many are reluctant to do so to save them discomfort and pain during the recovery period. There is no doubt that certified veterinary surgeons perform these procedures, even at charity clinics, giving cat parents reassurance about the safety of their beloved pets. After surgery, owners should limit the movement of their cats as a part of cat neutering aftercare and watch for signs of infection around the incision site in the recovery period. The chances of complications are very low, and, when weighed against the benefits the procedure confers to your cat, are a risk worth taking.