Spaying your female cat is one of the most important veterinary procedures you will arrange. It prevents unwanted pregnancies, reduces the risk of mammary cancer, and eliminates the stress of heat cycles. Here is what it costs in 2026.

Average Spaying Costs in 2026

  • Traditional spay (ovariohysterectomy): £100 to £250
  • Keyhole (laparoscopic) spay: £250 to £400
  • Flank spay (common in cats): £100 to £200

The average cost of a cat spay across the UK is around £150 for a traditional procedure, though the CMA's investigation found that prices have risen significantly in recent years — average consultation fees are now £62, up 63% since 2016, and surgical procedure costs have followed a similar trajectory.

Traditional vs Keyhole Spaying

Traditional spaying involves an incision in the flank or midline to remove the ovaries and uterus. It is a well-established procedure with excellent outcomes.

Keyhole (laparoscopic) spaying uses small incisions and a camera, resulting in less pain, smaller wounds, and faster recovery. It costs roughly double the traditional method. Not all practices offer keyhole spaying for cats — it is more commonly available for dogs.

What Affects the Price

Practice Type

The CMA found that corporate-owned practices charge an average of 17% more than independent practices. For a £150 cat spay, that is a difference of around £25. For more expensive procedures, the gap widens.

Location

London and the South East are typically 15–25% more expensive. Northern England, Scotland, and Wales tend to be at the lower end of the range.

What Is Included

Some practices include post-operative pain relief and follow-up checks in the quoted price. Others charge separately. Always ask for a fully itemised quote.

Age and Weight

Standard pricing applies to most cats. Overweight cats may be charged more due to longer surgery times and higher anaesthetic risk.

What the Price Should Include

  • Pre-operative health check
  • General anaesthetic and monitoring
  • The surgery
  • Pain relief (injection and take-home medication for 2–3 days)
  • Post-operative check (at 3 days and for suture removal at 10 days)
  • Buster collar or body suit

How to Save

  • Charity clinics: Cats Protection, the PDSA, Blue Cross, and RSPCA all offer subsidised or free spaying for cats of owners on means-tested benefits. Cats Protection's neutering voucher scheme is available to cat owners regardless of income in some areas.
  • Council voucher schemes: Some local authorities offer spaying vouchers worth £30–£60.
  • Health plans: Monthly health plans (typically £12–£20/month) at some practices include spaying as part of the package, which can work out cheaper if you also need vaccinations and parasite treatment.
  • Compare practices: Use VetCost to compare spaying prices at practices near you. The price difference between practices in the same town can be £50–£100.
  • Time it right: Spaying before the first season (typically at 4–6 months) is a straightforward procedure. Spaying during or immediately after a season can be more complex and expensive.

Last updated: March 2026. Sources: CMA provisional decision (October 2025), Cats Protection neutering data, VetCost practice data.