Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying and Neutering?

Getting your pet spayed or neutered is a central part of responsible pet ownership. But the procedure can be pricey if you’re paying out of pocket at your veterinarian’s office. Because of this, you may wonder if pet insurance covers spaying and neutering.

To help you answer that question, we’re going to discuss pet insurance plans and pet wellness plans (yes, they’re different), explaining what they cover and what they don’t, as well as how to compare them.

We’ll also provide alternative options to pay for spaying and neutering that won’t put a strain on your budget.

source
petplace-blog-spayneuter-insurance-top
script
widget

What Is Spaying and Neutering?

Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures. During a spay, also known as an ovariohysterectomy, a female pet’s uterus and ovaries are removed. Neutering is the removal of a male pet’s testicles.

These procedures have numerous health and behavioral benefits. Spaying, for example, prevents uterine infections and reduces the risk of breast tumors. Additionally, spayed female pets do not go into heat and thus do not have heat-related behaviors, such as vocalizing and urinating in the house.

Neutering prevents testicular cancer and some types of prostate problems, such as a non-cancerous enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Neutered male pets do not exhibit undesirable behaviors such as roaming, marking their territory, and mounting, as they are not seeking to mate.

Importantly, spaying and neutering reduce overpopulation by preventing unplanned pregnancies.

The decision of when to spay or neuter your pet depends on several factors, such as age, breed, and overall health. The general recommendation is to spay dogs by 6 to 9 months of age and cats by 4 to 5 months of age. However, spays can be performed in female puppies and kittens as young as 8 weeks old.

Spays should always be done before the first heat to reduce the risk of mammary cancers and uterine infections.

When to neuter your dog depends on their size and breed. Small and medium-sized breeds should be neutered at approximately 6 months of age, while large and giant breeds should be neutered between 9 and 15 months of age, after they have reached their full adult size. For larger dogs, waiting longer to neuter helps reduce the risk of orthopedic problems.

Male cats should be neutered by 4 to 5 months of age. Male kittens can be neutered as young as 8 weeks old.

Is Spaying or Neutering Covered by Pet Insurance?

Answering this question requires a basic understanding of pet insurance. Standard pet insurance is also known as accident & illness insurance. It covers a range of accidents, such as knee injuries, and illnesses like chronic kidney disease (as long as they’re not pre-existing conditions).

Spaying and neutering are elective, preventive procedures, meaning they can be scheduled in advance and are not considered an emergency. Thus, spaying and neutering are not covered by standard pet insurance.

What Is a Pet Wellness Plan—and What Does it Cover?

A pet wellness plan is not an insurance plan. Instead, it is an add-on to standard pet insurance that covers services that promote a pet’s overall health and well-being. In addition to covering spaying and neutering, pet wellness plans cover numerous services, such as those listed below:

Wellness plans are an excellent way to save money on elective and preventive care services that your pet will receive throughout their lifetime.

If you want to compare a pet wellness plan versus insurance, think of it this way: a wellness plan covers the services that help keep your pet happy and healthy throughout their lives. An insurance plan covers the services that treat your pet when they are sick or injured.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Surgery? Which Providers Cover Spaying and Neutering?

Private veterinary offices often have their versions of wellness plans for their clients. However, many pet insurance companies also offer wellness plans to add to their insurance plans. Here are some pet insurance companies that offer wellness plans:

The services covered in wellness plans offered by insurance companies vary between companies, making it difficult to determine which is the best pet insurance for preventive care. That being said, Marketwatch.com has rated Embrace as their top pick for pet wellness plans.

Cost of Spaying and Neutering Without Insurance

Without a wellness plan, you will need to pay for your pet’s spay or neuter out of pocket. The total cost of a spay or neuter includes anesthesia, pre- and post-operative pain management, and the procedure itself, among other associated costs. Geographic location, as well as the size and age of your pet, also factor into the total cost.

The current national average for spays in a veterinary practice ranges from $250 to $600 for dogs and about $215 to $270 for cats. For neuter procedures in a veterinary practice, the cost ranges from $150 to $600 (or more) for dogs and $50 to $270 for cats.

Spays and neuters generally cost less for cats than dogs. Additionally, spays are typically more expensive than neuters because they are more complicated and invasive surgical procedures.

If you’re experiencing sticker shock, rest assured that there are low-cost spay and neuter options available through animal rescue shelters and organizations like the ASPCA.

Is a Wellness Plan Worth It?

In many cases, a wellness plan is worth it because it significantly reduces the cost of preventive care services and spreads the cost evenly over 12 months.

Pet wellness plans typically cost between $15 and $30 per month, totaling $180 to $360 per year. When you consider that just a spay — without any other preventive care services — could cost $300 or more, a wellness plan makes good financial sense.

Let’s also consider vaccines, which are covered in a wellness plan. A single vaccine for dogs can cost anywhere from $20 to $60. Given that your dog would need multiple vaccinations at a single wellness visit, you could spend more on a single vaccine than the monthly cost of a wellness plan.

The cost depends on factors like geographic location and a pet’s age and breed. Generally, the earlier in your dog’s life that you sign up for a wellness plan or insurance plan, the better and less costly it is. Thus, pet insurance and wellness plans are typically quite affordable for puppies.

Alternatives to Insurance for Spay/Neuter Surgery

If you do not have pet insurance or a pet wellness plan, there are low-cost options available for paying for spays and neuters. For example, local humane societies and spay/neuter clinics offer low-cost spays and neuters. Additionally, some veterinary offices offer vouchers for pet parents to receive spays and neuters for their pets for a low cost or no cost.

Another option is nonprofit clinics, which perform spays and neuters at a significantly reduced cost, usually less than $100.

Should You Rely on Pet Insurance for Spaying?

Although standard pet insurance covers only accidents and illnesses, pet wellness plans cover spays and neuters and other preventive care services.

If you have only standard pet insurance, you will have to pay for a spay or neuter out of pocket, which could cost hundreds of dollars. Having a wellness plan would cover the cost of the procedure.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ answer for whether you should rely on a wellness plan for spaying your dog. Explore your available options for wellness plans and carefully review the details of each plan. If you’re unsure what the terms mean, contact the insurance companies and have them walk you through the details of the plans.