How Much Does It Cost To Neuter or Spay A Cat?
I love to read fiction; one of my favorites is “Cat in The Hat” by Dr. Seuss. The reason why I can’t stop loving it is that there is a huge, lovable, and naughty cat in the story. This book made me a cat lover!
Since I own two kittens (Molly & Polly) and a dog, I love my pets with all my heart, even if they make my house untidy. In most cases we humans only see happiness or playfulness in pets, and we are blind to see their pain. So how do you know if they have both physical and psychological pain that they cannot express through their voice?
Such problems can affect your cats, and sometimes they can affect you. For example, changing the reproductive process of the cat is a wise decision for any pet owner and the healthy life of the cat. There more advantages to this operation than there are disadvantages.
Before you judge whether this surgery is a wise choice for your pet, I would recommend that you, as a pet owner, read this article further in the interest of your pet’s healthy life. Because at the end of this article you will find answers to complex questions like: Why do you need this surgery? How much does it cost to neuter or sterilize a cat? That’s why I’ve done this examination so carefully, and brought you the answer as simply as possible: because your pet’s life depends on it.
What is Neutering and Spaying?
Neutering is generally referred to for both male and female cats. The reason for this procedure is to stop the animal from reproducing and the cost varies depending on where you live.
Neutering is defined as the removal of the reproductive parts of the male cat. The veterinarian removes both the testicles through an incision in the scrotum, and the cost of neutering depends on the breed, age, and weight of the cat.
Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) is defined as the removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus in female cats. The cost of spaying depends on the breed, age, and weight of the cat.
You may ask yourself, why should I have to pay to prevent the pregnancy of my cat? What could go wrong if I don’t have this operation? Yes, we would love to have a cute little kitten in our house, but what if there are more than one – perhaps ten – kittens?
Damn, that’s a hell of a lot of responsibility, isn’t it? No need to worry: here is some of the important medical evidence to prove why your cat needs to be neutered or spayed once in a lifetime.
When Is The Right Time To Do This Procedure?
Well, this is a frequently asked question by all pet owners before deciding to have their animals neutered or spayed. For any successful veterinary operation, it depends on the age, weight and breed of an animal. It is therefore advisable to perform this operation at a younger age (six to seven months).
According to research by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA):
- The right time to neuter or spay a cat is at a young age.
- The spaying or neutering depends on the type of breed and the physical well-being of the cat.
Benefits of Neutering or Spaying at Young Age
- The recovery time is very short
- According to ASPCA research studies, there are no side effects or adverse effects of spaying or neutering at an early age.
- There is only a short period of pain
- Recovery after the operation (anesthesia) is short
- Very low cost
What Are All The Benefits You and your Cat Can Get by Neutering or Spaying
It is obvious to think about the necessity of this operation when there is nothing wrong with your pet. A recent study by the ASPCA states that a neutered or spayed animal lives longer than those that are not neutered. Here are the few medical reasons that will prove to you that neutering or spaying is good for your cat.
- The importance of this operation is to stop excessive reproduction.
- Prevents your cat from fleeing the house and wandering outside in search of a mate.
- According to medical research, neutered or spayed cats are more well-behaved than unneutered cats, which can stink out their surroundings with urine and become aggressive.
- In general, we all love chubby pets, but at the same time, too much fat will make a cat lazy and uninterested. By neutering or spaying, your cat will stay healthy and slim for a long time.
- 50% of all unneutered cats have uterine infections and breast or testicular cancer in their early stages of life. These can be prevented by surgery.
- Reduce cat overpopulation by stopping unwanted pregnancies. In case you don’t know, many unmodified males can produce hundreds of kittens per year.
- Neutered cats live longer and healthier lives.
I hope these medical findings are clear enough to change your perception of this surgery from negative to positive.
We talked about the few basic things above; let’s get down to business!
The total cost of this whole procedure will be high if you are not well prepared. How much it costs to have a cat neutered or spayed in your city depends on whether you choose quality hospital care or the local state castration or neutering program, and on the state you live in. The answer to these questions not only relates to the geographical location, as we can see below.
So, How Much Does It Cost To Neuter or Spay A Cat?
When it comes to costs, neutering costs less because it is a less complicated procedure than spaying. The total cost includes both pre-hospital care and post-surgical care.
Average neuter costs: $50-$100
Average spaying costs: $100-$250
In pre-hospital care, the veterinarian must ensure the age, breed, weight and activity level of the cat prior to surgery. This preliminary examination confirms whether the cat needs surgery now or later and whether the cat will recover soon after the operation. As a pet owner you must therefore make an informed decision based on the preliminary examination. Pre-hospital care includes an office visit, a stay in hospital and pre-operative sedation, anaesthesia, etc.
Most veterinarians would prefer to keep the cat in the hospital for a few days after surgery to monitor for infections or complications. These times are most critical for the cat and she will need your full attention for a few weeks until she is back to normal. The neutered cat will also need to be separated from other pets, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, eat very little food for a week, and make sure she doesn’t do anything that might interfere with the stitches (such as running or jumping).
A Few Additional Costs Which Need To Be Taken Care Of By The Pet Owners.
If the cat is obese: +$25-$30
If the cat is pregnant: +$50-$150
Pre-anesthesia blood work: +$40
Extra pain medication: +$10-$30
Laser Surgery: +$30-$50
And here is the link: lovethatcat.com, where you can find the cheapest spaying or neutering clinics in the United States.
Here are a Few Expenses You Must Know About
These days, everything is negotiable. The same applies to medical bills. Here are a few things you should know about lowering the cost of neutering or spaying:
- The spaying or neutering fees are included in the adoption costs when you adopt a kitten from a shelter or humane society.
- Some government-subsidized animal hospitals may offer this operation at a low cost.
- Talk to your vet and try to reduce the cost
Be careful with medical bills from specialist clinics, because they will unknowingly take up a large part of your budget.
These are just a few important factors to consider when you decide to neuter your cat or have it spayed. Some may think that the initial cost of neutering or spaying is high, but it is necessary when it comes to your pet’s health. For all medical reasons, this surgery will improve the quality of your cat’s life. So make sure that your fluffy little friend will cuddle with you all your life and share more love with you every day.