If you have recently brought home a new kitten, you probably have several questions about how to best care for your new pet. One of those questions may be, “What does it cost to get a kitten spayed?” This is an important question, as choosing to have your kitten spayed can result in a longer and healthier life for your new furry friend.
The cost of this procedure will vary depending on where you have the surgery done. We’ll discuss those options a bit later in the article. First, here are some good reasons to choose to have your kitten spayed.
Benefits of Spaying Your Kitten
Whether your cat is an indoor cat or an outdoor cat, there are compelling reasons to choose to have her fixed. Some owners think that if the cat lives strictly indoors, spaying may not be necessary. However, when you consider the health benefits, it’s clear to see that spaying benefits all cats.
Indoor Cats
Health Benefits – Cats that are spayed have a much lower incidence of ovarian cysts, infections, feline AIDS, and certain cancers. While there is some health benefit regardless of the age when the cat is spayed, to get the maximum benefit, the cat should be altered prior to her first heat cycle.
Less Aggressive – Cats that are spayed tend to be less aggressive than their intact peers. Having a cat that is less likely to scratch, bite, and hiss makes life much more pleasant for everyone.
Less Noise – Every cat owner is familiar with the ear-piercing crying that goes on and on when your cat is in heat. Having your cat spayed will end this incessant crying.
Outdoor Cats
Outdoor cats enjoy all of the benefits mentioned above, but when a cat lives outdoors, there is another important factor to consider:
Unwanted Pregnancies – Millions of cats are euthanized at shelters each year because there simply aren’t enough homes for them. As a responsible pet owner, you should do all you can to help stop more unwanted animals from being born.
Choosing to spay your cat is one of the most responsible decisions you can make as a pet owner. Again, having your cat spayed prior to her first heat cycle will provide the maximum health benefits.
Spaying Costs and Options
By now, you’ve decided to have your cat spayed, and it’s time to talk about the expense of doing so. You’ll be happy to know that this is not an expensive procedure, and there are options available that will allow you to have your kitten spayed without paying full price like you would at the vet’s office.
While there are benefits to having your kitten spayed at the vet’s office, some people would struggle financially to make that happen. Below are a few options, along with an estimated price of what it will cost to have your kitten spayed at each location.
SPCA and Other Local Shelters
Most local SPCAs offer some sort of low-cost spay and neuter program. Usually, there are no income qualification guidelines for these programs, and anyone is free to use the services provided. The downside is that you may not know the vet who will perform the surgery. While a phone number is provided in case you have follow-up questions, the personal face-to-face interaction with the doctor won’t be there. Also, no pain medicine is typically provided other than the shot given right after surgery. Still, this is a great option for people on a tight budget.
Estimated cost: Between $50-$60
Other Low-Cost Programs
Other organizations, such as PETA, often offer their own low-cost clinics. The price is typically about the same as at the clinics offered by the SPCA.
Additionally, some cities offer free spay and neuter programs for residents who meet income guidelines. The guidelines vary widely between locations, but if you qualify, these programs are a wonderful option for people who want to have their animals altered but simply cannot afford the procedure.
Talk to your local animal control office to see if such programs are offered in your community.
Estimated cost: Between $0-$60
Private Low-Cost Clinics
Some pet supply stores offer their own version of a low-cost clinic. Typically, a vet visits the location a couple of times per month and offers a variety of discounted health care services such as shots, deworming, and spay and neuter services. While these clinics are less expensive than a visit to the vet’s office, they generally cost a bit more than services offered by the SPCA and other shelters. Since these are private businesses, they usually charge a bit more. However, they still offer a lower-cost option that gives you the ability to request pain medicine and allows you to meet the vet face to face.
Estimated cost: Between $80-$100
Vet’s Office
The vet’s office is likely the best place for your kitten to undergo surgery should rare complications arise. Additionally, taking your pets to one place for all of their health care needs allows the same doctor to get to know you and your cats. This is beneficial in the long run as the vet will be familiar with your pet’s entire history. The other benefit of having your cat spayed by your vet is that this is probably the only place that will provide pain medicine for you to give your cat for a day or two after surgery. Other locations typically provide your pet with a shot before she leaves, but that medicine wears off after about 12 hours. For some pets, that isn’t long enough.
Estimated cost: Between $125-$200
Now that your question, “What does it cost to get a kitten spayed?” has been answered, it’s up to you to choose the location that will be most beneficial for both you and your pet. With so many options, you won’t have to put it off, and that’s great for the health of your cat!
