Key takeaways:
- Standard pet insurance doesn’t usually cover the cost of spaying and neutering a pet.
- A pet insurance company may offer additional wellness coverage that includes spaying and neutering.
- The cost to spay or neuter a dog is $600 on average, but you may save money through a state voucher program, ASPCA, Humane Society or low-cost clinic.
Pet insurance doesn’t usually cover the cost to spay or neuter a pet, but insurers may offer optional wellness plans with that coverage.
Pet wellness plans also cover annual wellness exams, vaccinations, microchipping and dental care. Wellness plan coverage varies, so make sure to confirm that the plan covers spaying and neutering before buying a policy.
How Do Pet Wellness Plans for Spaying and Neutering Work?
Pet insurance that covers spaying and neutering usually requires you to pay for the procedure and then submit a claim to the insurer. The pet insurer will review the claim and reimburse you the amount specified in your policy, such as $100 or $200.
Pet insurance wellness plans are usually added to standard pet insurance coverage. Some companies offer standalone wellness plans that cover spaying and neutering. Two examples are:
- Banfield Optimum Wellness “Early Care Plus” plan, which only allows you to get care at a Banfield Pet Hospital
- Pumpkin’s “Wellness Club”
Not all wellness plans cover the procedure and some pet insurance companies that offer coverage only include it in a higher-level wellness plan.
What Else Does a Pet Wellness Plan Cover Besides Spaying and Neutering?
Optional pet wellness plans go beyond standard pet insurance, covering routine care such as annual wellness exams and vaccinations.
Services often covered by a pet wellness plan include:
- Annual wellness exams
- Blood and fecal parasite exams
- Dental cleaning
- Deworming
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) test
- Microchipping
- Preventive medication for fleas, ticks and heartworm
- Routine anal gland expression
- Spaying and neutering surgery
- Urinalysis
- Vaccinations
Pet Wellness Plans That Cover Spaying and Neutering
| Company | Does it have a pet wellness plan that covers spaying and neutering? |
|---|---|
| Chewy | Yes: Preventative Care for Puppies and Kittens for policies sold through Lemonade. No: Wellness plans for policies sold through Trupanion do not cover spay/neuter. |
| Embrace | Yes: Wellness Rewards |
| Figo | Yes: Figo’s Wellness Powerup |
| Healthy Paws | No: Healthy Paws does not offer wellness plans |
| Lemonade | Yes: Preventative Care Package for Puppies and Kittens |
| Pets Best | Yes: BestWellness plan |
| Pumpkin | No: Preventive Essentials plan does not cover spay/neuter |
| Prudent Pet | Yes: High Wellness plan |
| Spot | Yes: Platinum plan |
| Trupanion | No: Trupanion does not offer pet wellness plans. |
Cost To Spay or Neuter a Dog Without Pet Insurance
The average cost to spay or neuter a dog without a pet wellness plan is $600, according to our analysis of costs to spay a dog and costs to neuter a dog. But you may be able to pay less, depending on where you get the services and what’s involved in the procedure.
For instance, you may find low-cost or free coverage with a state voucher program or at the ASPCA or Humane Society. Low-cost clinics or non-profit veterinary clinics are also affordable alternatives.
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