How much does neutering cost?

By Richard Barker, editor. Last checked 16 October 2026.

Neutering is one of the most common operations vets carry out, and one where prices vary most. The new price lists must show what is included in the price, so you can compare like with like.

The three neutering prices on a price list

Castration: removing a male animal's testicles.
Spay (traditional or open): removing a female animal's womb and ovaries through a cut along the middle of the tummy.
Spay (keyhole or laparoscopic): removing the ovaries through small cuts using a camera. Not every practice offers it.

Check what is included

For each operation, the practice must tick which of these the price includes: general anaesthetic, local anaesthetic, sedation, pain relief after the operation, hospital care and monitoring, blood tests before the operation, and check-ups afterwards.

A lower price that leaves out pain relief or check-ups may not be cheaper in the end. Compare the ticks as well as the price.

Size matters

Prices are set out for cats and for five sizes of dog, from under 10kg to 60kg and over. A larger dog usually needs more anaesthetic and a longer operation.

When prices will appear here

We will add each practice's published prices to this guide as their price lists go online, starting with the large groups from 23 December 2026 and every other practice from 23 March 2027. Until then we show only figures the CMA has published, with their source.

Sources

Schedule 1: Price list schedule, Competition and Markets Authority, 22 September 2026.
Annex 1: Indicative price list with definitions, Competition and Markets Authority, 22 September 2026.
Veterinary Services Market Investigation Order 2026, Competition and Markets Authority, 22 September 2026.
Veterinary services for household pets: summary of final report, Competition and Markets Authority, 24 March 2026.

CMA documents are Crown copyright and used under the Open Government Licence v3.0.