Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying? What Pet Parents Need to Know
Now that you have pet insurance, it’s important to comb through your policy and understand exactly what’s covered.
In This Article:
Understanding Pet Insurance Understanding Spaying Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying? Alternatives to Insurance for Spaying Costs
When you bring a new pet into your life, one of the first big health decisions you’ll make for them is to have them spayed or neutered. Spaying helps prevent unwanted pregnancies, but it can also lead to longer, healthier lives for your pets. However, vet bills can add up quickly, and spaying isn’t exactly cheap. So you might be wondering: Does pet insurance cover spaying?
The answer is “it depends.” You’ll need to consider the type of insurance plan you have. While most standard pet insurance policies don’t cover elective procedures such as spaying, there are some exceptions, especially if you’ve opted for a wellness plan or an add-on that includes preventative care.
Let’s take a closer look at how pet insurance works, what spaying is, what it involves, and your options for managing the cost of this important procedure.
How much do you spend on your pet per year?
Understanding pet insurance
Before you can know if your pet insurance covers spaying, it helps to understand how these policies are structured. Pet insurance is designed to help you manage unexpected medical expenses, like injuries from accidents or illnesses.
When your dog swallows a toy or your cat gets an infection, pet insurance helps cover the costs you’ll incur (diagnostics, medications, examinations, etc.). But routine care like vaccinations and spaying or neutering is usually not covered by standard plans.
That’s because these are predictable, non-emergency procedures. Insurers usually expect pet parents to budget for them on their own. However, that doesn’t mean you’re completely at a loss. Some plans do offer additional coverage for wellness care.
Types of coverage
Pet insurance comes in a few main types. Understanding which one you have (or want) will tell you whether spaying could be covered.
Accident-only coverage
Accident-only plans are the most basic form of pet insurance. They cover unexpected injuries, like broken bones. Although they’re the cheapest option, they don’t cover illnesses or preventative procedures, and that includes spaying.
If you’re enrolled in an accident-only plan, your insurer won’t reimburse you for elective surgeries — no matter how beneficial they may be for your pet’s long-term health.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive pet insurance (sometimes called accident and illness coverage) is the most popular type of policy. It’s a lot like full coverage for your car, and it covers a wide range of health issues, including infections, allergies, cancer, and chronic conditions.
However, even these plans usually exclude spaying and neutering because they’re considered preventative. That said, some pet insurance companies offer optional wellness add-ons you can buy alongside a comprehensive plan. These add-ons fill the gap for routine care, which is where spaying coverage usually falls.
Wellness or preventative coverage
If you want spaying to be covered, you’ll need a wellness plan or a preventative care package. These are either standalone plans or can be added to your main insurance policy for an extra fee, usually charged by the month.
A pet wellness plan covers the predictable costs of keeping your pet healthy: vaccinations, parasite prevention, annual exams, and dental cleanings. Sometimes, spay or neuter procedures are included (but not always, so double-check with your insurer).
Here’s how it usually works:
You pay a fixed monthly fee (for example, $20 to $40 per month).
The plan reimburses you for specific preventative services, often up to a certain annual limit.
Spaying and neutering may be covered either partially or in full, depending on the insurer.
Always read the fine print. A lot of wellness plans have very specific requirements and exclusions, so it’s important to know what pertains to you and your pet.
Understanding spaying
Not sure what spaying is or why it matters in the first place? Let’s take a closer look at why it’s such an important part of pet care.
What is spaying?
Spaying is the removal of a female dog or cat’s reproductive organs (typically the ovaries and uterus). In a human, it would be called a hysterectomy. It prevents your pet from becoming pregnant, eliminating heat cycles and all that comes with them.
This is one of the most common veterinary surgeries, and when performed by a qualified vet, it’s safe and routine. Most pets recover within a couple of weeks.
To learn more about what happens during the procedure, check out Kinship’s guide to spaying and neutering your dog and why to spay or neuter your cat.
Benefits of spaying your pet
Spaying does more than eliminate unwanted litters. It comes with major health benefits for your pet.
Prevents reproductive cancers: Spaying eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer and significantly reduces the risk of mammary tumors.
Prevents infections: Female pets who aren’t spayed can develop pyometra, a dangerous uterine infection that can be fatal without emergency surgery.
Reduces behavioral issues: Spayed pets are often calmer and less likely to roam or mark territory during heat cycles.
Helps control overpopulation: Every year, millions of unwanted animals wind up in shelters. Spaying reduces the number of homeless pets in your community.
If you’re not sure when to schedule your pet’s surgery, these guides on when to spay or neuter your dog or your cat can help you plan.
What is the average cost of having your pet spayed?
Unfortunately, there’s no standard cost here. The average cost of spaying varies by location, your pet’s age and size, and your vet’s pricing.
Dogs: $200 to $500 at a private veterinary clinic, $50 to $150 at a low-cost clinic
Cats: $50 to $300 at a private clinic, $30 to $100 at a low-cost clinic
Some factors that can affect cost include anesthesia, pre-surgery bloodwork, post-op medications, and if your pet is in heat.
Does pet insurance cover spaying?
In most cases, standard pet insurance policies don’t cover spaying. It’s considered an elective, preventative procedure rather than a medically necessary one. However, if your policy includes a wellness plan or preventative care add-on, you might have partial or full coverage for spaying.
Here’s what to look for.
Review your pet insurance policy: Check your plan’s “covered services” and “exclusions” sections. If spaying or sterilization isn’t listed, it’s not covered.
Ask your insurer directly: Some pet insurance companies offer special plans that include routine procedures for young pets.
Look for wellness add-ons: Even if your current policy doesn’t include spaying coverage, you might be able to add it during renewal.
How to determine if your policy covers spaying
To find out if your plan covers the procedure, follow these steps.
Log in to your insurer’s online portal: Check your policy. Look for words like “sterilization,” “spay/neuter,” or “preventative surgery.”
Call customer service to confirm: Representatives can tell you if your policy includes coverage or if there’s an upgrade available.
Compare your plan to others: Some insurers, like Lemonade or ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, offer optional wellness coverage that reimburses for spaying.
Check for waiting periods: Some plans require that you’ve had the policy for a certain number of months before preventative coverage kicks in.
If your current plan doesn’t cover it, you can add wellness coverage or explore alternative ways to manage costs.
Alternatives to insurance for spaying costs
If your pet insurance doesn’t cover spaying, or if you don’t have pet insurance at all, there are still ways to make the procedure affordable.
Low-cost spay/neuter clinics
Many communities have low-cost clinics operated by local shelters or humane societies. These clinics offer discounted rates for spaying and neutering.
You can often find these services through:
Your local animal shelter or SPCA
Mobile veterinary clinics that visit underserved areas
Nonprofits, such as the ASPCA or PetSmart Charities
Voucher and assistance programs
Some cities and counties give spay/neuter vouchers to pet parents with limited income. You can check with your local animal-control department or humane society to see if any of these programs are available near you.
Veterinary schools
If you live near a veterinary college, check to see if they offer reduced-cost procedures performed by supervised students. These are usually lower-priced and still give your pet excellent care.
Payment plans and credit options
Many veterinary clinics now offer payment plans or accept financing options like CareCredit. These can help you spread out the cost of spaying over time rather than paying the full amount up front.
Charitable organizations
Several charities and animal welfare groups offer financial assistance for veterinary procedures, including spaying and neutering. Look for local or national programs dedicated to pet population control.
Bottom line
Spaying your pet is one of the best decisions you can make for their long-term health and well-being, but it can come with a noticeable price tag.
Most pet insurance policies don’t cover spaying unless you’ve opted for a wellness or preventative care plan. These plans can offset costs for routine care such as vaccinations and sterilization, but it’s important to check your policy details carefully.
Even without insurance coverage, there are affordable options available through shelters, nonprofits, and community clinics.
References
“Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying?” MetLife Pet Insurance, www.metlifepetinsurance.com/blog/pet-insurance/does-pet-insurance-cover-spayingopens in new tab.
“Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying?” Spot, spotpet.com/blog/coverage/does-pet-insurance-cover-spayingopens in new tab.
“Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying or Neutering?” NerdWallet, www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/does-pet-insurance-cover-spaying-neuteringopens in new tab.
“How Much Does it Cost to Spay or Neuter a Dog?” Lemonade, www.lemonade.com/pet/explained/cost-of-spay-dogopens in new tab.
“Pet Wellness Plans: Routine & Preventive Care.” AKC Pet Insurance, www.akcpetinsurance.com/plans/pet-wellness-coverageopens in new tab.
“Pet Insurance That Covers Spay and Neuter Costs.” PetInsuranceQuotes, www.petinsurancequotes.com/blog/pet-advice/spay-neuteropens in new tab.
“Wellness Plans | Mt. Hood Pet Medical.” Mt. Hood Pet Medical, www.mthoodpetmedical.com/wellness-plansopens in new tab.
