How Much Does It Cost to Spay or Neuter a Cat at PetSmart? (2024 Update)

Being a responsible pet parent means getting your cat spayed or neutered when it’s time. Doing this not only prevents unwanted pregnancy but also helps lower the risk of certain diseases. However, this can be a pricy procedure (more so for female cats).

Many people will simply visit their vet to have their cat spayed or neutered, but it might actually be cheaper to do it elsewhere. For example, some pet stores have clinics or local animal hospitals they are partnered with where spays and neuters can be received at a lower cost. One such place that does this is PetSmart. So, just how much does spaying or neutering a cat at PetSmart cost? You’ll find all the answers you need below!

The Importance of Spaying or Neutering

There are several reasons you should spay or neuter your cat other than preventing unwanted pregnancies. For starters, having your cat altered can help lengthen the amount of time your pet lives. In fact, one study found that spayed cats lived up to 39% longer than those not spayed, while neutered cats lived a whopping 62% longer than those not neutered!

Another great reason to spay or neuter your cat is to prevent destructive behaviors. Destructive behaviors have a tendency to arise more in males than females (think spraying), but it can happen in females as well. Some behaviors that can be lessened or negated by altering your pet include aggressive behavior (like fighting), roaming while in heat (or males roaming to find cats in heat), and heat-related issues such as yowling.

Finally, spaying or neutering your cat can help lessen the risk of or prevent certain diseases—such as breast tumors or uterine infections in females and testicular cancer or issues relating to the prostate in males. Not only does this enable your pet to live a longer, healthier life, but it also saves you money on vet bills in the long run.

How Much Does Spaying or Neutering Cost?

How much spaying or neutering your cat via PetSmart and Banfield will cost will depend on both the age of your cat and where you live. The table below includes typical prices found in the main geographical regions of the United States for both cats under the age of 6 months and those over the age of 6 months.

And if you’re wondering why spaying costs so much more than neutering, it’s because spaying involves a major surgery that removes a cat’s ovaries and uterus, while neutering simply involves removing the testicles. Neutering is a simpler procedure than spaying.

Additional Costs to Anticipate

While the spay and neuter packages mentioned above include routine bloodwork, IV catheter and fluids, and routine anesthesia, you may find yourself with additional costs. For example, your cat may need bloodwork that’s not included in “routine bloodwork” or extra anesthesia. Plus, your cat will need all required vaccinations before being altered, so if you haven’t had that done, you could be looking at up to  extra on top of the cost of the procedure. Other than that, you might find yourself paying a few bucks if your cat needs any medications—such as pain medication—after surgery, but that shouldn’t cost much.

When Should I Spay or Neuter My Cat?

You may be unsure what age your cat should be to be spayed or neutered, and that’s no surprise, as vets sometimes have different preferences. But there are three options age-wise for having the procedure done. If you and your vet are in agreement about it, you could do an early (or pediatric) spay or neuter, which is done between the ages of 6–8 weeks old. However, most cats are spayed or neutered between the ages of 5–6 months (which seems to be what most vets prefer). Your final option is to wait until your cat is 8–12 months (or after it has gone through its first heat).

That’s not to say cats can’t be spayed or neutered at pretty much any age. If you’ve adopted a cat over the age of one that’s not yet been altered or have just been putting off having the procedure done for a cat you already own, you should still go ahead and have it done. Just talk to the vet first about whether there may be any potential health concerns.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying or Neutering?

The majority of pet insurance plans will not cover spaying or neutering because they consider it an elective surgery. However, pet insurance may have routine care or preventative care plans that will reimburse you partially for having the procedure done.

However, if the cost of spaying or neutering via PetSmart and Banfield is still a bit high for you, you’ll be happy to hear that Banfield offers an Optimal Wellness Plan for both kittens and adult cats. What these plans essentially do is have you make monthly payments for routine care, so you don’t run into surprise costs. Prices will vary by state, and please keep in mind that what’s included in these plans is subject to change.

The Optimal Wellness Plan for kittens under the age of 6 months includes per year:

The adult cat plan includes per year:

What to Do for Your Cat After a Spay or Neuter

Your kitty will need some aftercare once its procedure has been done. Much of it will involve monitoring your cat for the next few days to ensure they are feeling okay. You’ll want to monitor them to make sure they are not displaying symptoms such as extreme lethargy, unwillingness to eat the day after surgery, or a swollen belly. You also need to ensure your cat has urinated within 24 hours; if it has not, your pet will need to see the vet immediately.

And you’ll have to watch your pet to be sure it isn’t engaging in strenuous activities such as jumping, running, or licking at the incision site. Plus, you’ll need to check the incision site regularly for the next few days to guarantee there’s no bleeding or infection.

Other than keeping a general eye on your pet’s well-being and the incision site, you’ll need to give your cat any pain medication the vet prescribed. And give your kitty lots of love!

Conclusion

While you can’t get your cat spayed or neutered right there at PetSmart, you can go through them to have your pet altered by a local Banfield hospital. This partnership will ensure you’re paying a lower price for having your cat fixed than you would at most vet offices. Prices will vary by state and according to the age of your cat, but you’ll be looking at anywhere from $200–$450 for the procedure (perhaps more if your pet isn’t up to date on vaccinations). If you still need some help with paying for the procedure, you can look into Banfield’s Optimal Wellness Plans that involve monthly payments (though only the kitten one includes a spay or neuter).

See Also: 

• How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost at PetSmart
• How Much Do Cats Cost At PetSmart?

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Featured Image Credit: Simon Kadula, Shutterstock