Does Pet Insurance Cover Neutering?

All pet owners want the best for their furry friends, and neutering and spaying have numerous benefits. Without these procedures, your dog or cat may be susceptible to certain diseases and experience unwanted pregnancies or behavioural issues.

The best pet insurance policies can help protect your finances but what does pet insurance cover and can it help cover the costs of these procedures?

In this article, we break down what neutering and spaying are, the risks and benefits of these procedures, and whether you can avoid paying out of pocket for these operations if you have pet insurance.

Neutering and spaying are simple medical procedures that stop an animal from reproducing.

For male pets, neutering involves castration, which removes the animal’s testes.

In female animals, the process is known as spaying and involves the removal of a pet’s ovaries and sometimes the uterus and fallopian tubes (ovariohysterectomy).

To perform the operation, the vet puts the animal under anaesthesia and shaves the fur from the affected area. Your pet will likely need to be at the vet for a morning or afternoon, but they can typically return home within a couple of hours after surgery. Your vet will likely request a check-up within 2-3 days after the operation and again within 7-10 days.

Deciding whether to get your pet neutered or spayed is a personal choice. However, the procedure has numerous benefits for both owners and pets.

Neutering or spaying a dog can reduce the risk of inappropriate behaviour, such as aggression in male animals. The procedure can also reduce the risk of testicular cancer in male pets and uterine infections in female animals. It also stops female pets from coming into season—the period during which an animal is ready to have sex and become pregnant. This reduces the risk of unwanted litters.

Spaying female pets can also reduce mess, as unspayed animals can bleed for up to three weeks when they come into season. For males, neutering reduces the risk of urine marking.

Spaying can also cut vet bills, as pregnancy may involve high medical expenses, especially if there are complications. Many pet insurance providers don’t cover costs related to pregnancy and birth.

The best time to neuter your pet depends on their breed, size, and weight. Vets often recommend neutering larger dogs later than smaller animals.

Most vets neuter male dogs at approximately 6 months and female dogs after their first season. Vets neuter cats at roughly 4 months, but they may recommend keeping your pet indoors beforehand to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Your vet can advise you on the best age for spaying or neutering your pet.

The level of cover you receive depends on your policy type. However, many insurers cover:

With vet costs soaring, it’s essential to choose the right policy for your circumstances. Many insurers offer accident-only or accident and illness cover. As accident-only is less comprehensive, it tends to be the most affordable.

You may be able to add optional extras to your policy, such as dental cover. Many providers also offer a multi-pet discount if you insure more than one animal.

As coverage varies significantly between companies, you should carefully review the terms and conditions of any potential policy. Then, you can find affordable coverage that protects your pet’s needs.

Again, policies vary, but many providers won’t cover:

Almost all insurers exclude pre-existing conditions—health issues already diagnosed at your policy start date. However, specialist providers may cover pets with pre-existing conditions.

Many insurers exclude pets over a certain age, often 8 or 9 years old. Additionally, most insurers won’t cover certain breeds, such as those listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Pet insurance won’t usually cover neutering and spaying a dog or cat. Most providers classify these as elective procedures undertaken at the owner’s risk.

However, these operations may reduce your costs over the longer term as spayed or neutered pets are less likely to develop serious medical issues. Neutering and spaying may also reduce the cost of pet insurance premiums, as insurers will regard your pet as a lower risk.

The cost of neutering or spaying depends on your pet’s breed, age, gender, and medical history. Prices also vary across practices and in various parts of the country.

Spaying a female animal is usually more expensive than neutering a male pet since it’s a more complicated operation involving internal organs. Castration may also cost more if one or both of your dog’s testicles haven’t dropped into the scrotum, known as retained testicles (cryptorchidism).

While vaccines are essential for keeping a pet healthy, most insurers don’t cover them. That said, having up-to-date vaccines can reduce the cost of your insurance premiums as your pet is less likely to develop severe health conditions, which means your pet represents less risk for providers. Most pets need vaccines when they are young and boosters throughout their lifetime.

Reproductive procedures don’t affect your pet’s personality. Genetics and environment determine an animal’s temperament. However, neutering may reduce aggression in male animals.

Neutering can cause a slight decrease in metabolism, which may lead to weight gain. Hormonal changes after neutering can also reduce activity levels, increasing the risk of weight gain. However, portion control, a balanced diet, and regular exercise can help your pet maintain a healthy weight.

Yes, although these are rare. Risks include infection, excessive bleeding, and wound complications. In male animals, there’s a possibility of excessive swelling in the scrotum. With females, internal bleeding or problems with stitches may occur. These complications are typically minor, however, and treatable with prompt veterinary care.