PetSmart Spay and Neuter Cost
PetSmart doesn’t spay or neuter pets itself. The surgery is done by Banfield Pet Hospital, which runs clinics inside many PetSmart stores.
At a glance
- Cat neuter packages run about $214 to $301
- Dog spay packages run about $442 to $659
- An office visit fee is charged on top
- Early Care Plus plans include the surgery for puppies and kittens
Those figures come from the price lists Banfield publishes for its own hospitals. Your local hospital may charge a little more or less.
Banfield Does the Surgery
Ask about neutering at a PetSmart register and you’ll be sent to the Banfield clinic. Banfield is a separate veterinary company, and it handles everything from the pre-surgery exam to recovery.
Not every PetSmart has a Banfield inside, so check the store locator first. Our Banfield at PetSmart guide explains how the two companies fit together.
Banfield Spay and Neuter Prices
Banfield posts estimated prices for each hospital on its website. Here’s what two of them list for spay and neuter packages.
| Package | Portland, OR | Little Rock, AR |
|---|---|---|
| Cat neuter, under 6 months | $241.95 | $213.95 |
| Cat neuter, over 6 months | $300.95 | $266.95 |
| Cat spay, under 6 months | $346.95 | $307.95 |
| Cat spay, over 6 months | $407.95 | $361.95 |
| Dog neuter, under 6 months | $467.95 | $413.95 |
| Dog neuter, over 6 months | $544.95 | $482.95 |
| Dog spay, under 6 months | $498.95 | $441.95 |
| Dog spay, over 6 months and under 50 lb | $574.95 | $508.95 |
| Dog spay, over 6 months and over 50 lb | $658.95 | $582.95 |
Both hospitals also charge an office visit fee, which was $84.95 in Portland. Banfield’s price pages were last updated in May 2025, so confirm the current price with your hospital.
Banfield’s own guidance puts typical costs at $100 to $500 for cats and $250 to $600 for dogs. Location, size and health all move the number.
What the Package Covers
Banfield says every anesthetic procedure includes routine bloodwork, an IV catheter and fluids, plus anesthesia and monitoring through surgery and recovery. That’s more than many clinics include in a headline price.
Some pets need extra anesthesia or lab work, which costs more. Take-home pain medication and a recovery cone may also be extra, so ask before surgery day.
Always get a written estimate that lists every item. It’s the easiest way to avoid a surprise at pickup.
Why Prices Change
Three things drive most of the difference between quotes. Banfield’s own price list shows two of them clearly.
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Age | Pets over 6 months cost about $60 to $80 more |
| Size | Dogs over 50 pounds pay more for a spay |
| Sex | Spays cost more than neuters, since the surgery is longer |
| Location | The same package costs more in pricier cities |
| Heat or pregnancy | Can make a spay more complex and expensive |
Booking before six months is the simplest saving on Banfield’s list. It also lines up with the age many vets recommend for cats and smaller dogs.
Health and Behavior Benefits
Spaying and neutering do more than prevent litters. The surgery removes the risk of some serious illnesses altogether.
| Benefit | Who it helps |
|---|---|
| No risk of pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection | Females |
| Lower risk of mammary tumors when done early | Females |
| No risk of testicular cancer | Males |
| Less roaming, marking and fighting | Mostly males |
| No heat cycles, yowling or unwanted visitors | Females, especially cats |
The surgery won’t change your pet’s personality or training. Metabolism can slow a little afterward, so watch portions and keep up daily exercise.
Early Care Plus Wellness Plans
Banfield’s Early Care Plus plans for puppies and kittens include a routine spay or neuter. The surgery comes with a pre-surgery health check, pre-anesthetic blood tests, general anesthesia and in-hospital pain medication.
The plans also cover vaccines, exams and unlimited office visits for the year. Banfield’s plans start at about $26.95 a month, with Plus plans costing more.
Plans are 12-month contracts, and canceling early can mean paying the balance of services you’ve used. For adult pets, a spay or neuter can be added to a plan rather than being included.
Lower-Cost Options
Banfield is rarely the cheapest place for this surgery. Nonprofit clinics and shelters exist to make it affordable, and they use licensed vets too.
| Option | How to find one |
|---|---|
| Nonprofit spay and neuter clinics | Search the ASPCA low-cost directory |
| Humane societies and shelters | Call your local shelter and ask about vouchers |
| Your regular vet | Ask for a written quote to compare |
| Adoption | Most adoption fees already include the surgery |
If you haven’t brought a pet home yet, adoption is often the cheapest route. Pets from PetSmart adoption events are usually already spayed or neutered, and our cat adoption guide covers what fees include.
Some clinics and hospitals accept financing such as CareCredit, which splits the bill into monthly payments. Ask before booking if paying upfront is hard.
When to Book the Surgery
The right age depends on species, size and breed. These are typical ages, and your vet will tailor the advice.
- Cats are often done around five months old
- Small and medium dogs are usually done around six months
- Large and giant breeds often wait until 9 to 18 months so their joints can mature
For female dogs and cats, spaying before the first heat greatly lowers the risk of mammary tumors later. That’s a strong reason not to wait longer than your vet suggests.
Vaccines should be underway before surgery. The PetSmart vaccination clinic guide covers low-cost shots.
Getting Ready for Surgery Day
Your vet will give exact instructions, but most follow a similar pattern. Food is usually stopped the night before, while water is often fine until morning.
- Confirm the drop-off time and how long your pet will stay
- Stop food when the vet tells you to
- Bring vaccine records and any medications your pet takes
- Leave a phone number you’ll answer during the day
- Set up a quiet, clean space at home for recovery
Surgery day is also a good time to add a microchip, since your pet is already sedated. Our microchip cost guide explains the price and registration.
Most pets go home the same day. Some clinics may suggest an overnight stay for older or larger pets.
Recovery at Home
Most pets feel normal within a few days, but the incision needs 10 to 14 days to heal. Your main job is keeping them calm.
- Keep the cone or recovery suit on until the vet says otherwise
- No running, jumping or rough play for about two weeks
- Check the incision daily
- Skip baths and swimming until stitches are out or the vet clears it
Call the clinic if you see spreading redness, discharge, an open incision or a pet that won’t eat after the first day. Lethargy that lasts beyond a day is also worth a call.
Soft cones and body suits are often easier on pets than hard plastic cones. PetSmart sells several types if the one from the clinic isn’t working.
Spay and Neuter Questions
Does PetSmart do spay and neuter surgery?
Not directly. Banfield Pet Hospital, inside many stores, performs the surgery.
Is the office visit fee included?
No, Banfield charges it separately for every visit. Factor it into your budget.
Does pet insurance cover spaying?
Most accident and illness policies don’t, since it’s an elective procedure. Some wellness add-ons help, as our pet insurance guide explains.
Can a pet be spayed while in heat?
Many vets prefer to wait until the heat cycle ends, since blood vessels are larger and bleeding risk is higher. Some will operate but may charge more.
Will my pet gain weight after surgery?
Some pets do, because they need fewer calories afterward. Measuring meals and keeping walks regular usually prevents it.
How long does the surgery take?
The surgery itself is usually under an hour. Expect your pet to stay most of the day for prep and recovery.
