Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying?

You, of course, may already know what spaying is, but just in case you don’t – 

Spaying, or as some people refer to it as ‘fixing’, is a surgical procedure to remove the reproductive organs from a female dog/cat. It is a routine but highly invasive procedure that may not be cheap. Pet insurance plans generally do not cover the cost of spaying as it is a preventive procedure. Some insurers, however, do offer preventive add-ons that can help cover the cost of spaying as well. 

Let’s understand the procedure a bit, why it is important and how much it costs.

Does Spot Pet Insurance Cover Spaying? 

Spot’s Platinum Preventive Care plan option can help reimburse up to $150 on spaying or neutering with no deductible or waiting periods. The Platinum Preventive Care plan is available as an add-on to your base-level plan and can provide a total annual benefit of up to $450 on eligible routine care allowance.

The wellness add-on also helps cover vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, dental cleanings, and nutritional consultations, comprehensive health screenings, including blood work, urinalysis, and fecal tests. 

What is Spaying? 

The surgical procedure is called an ovariohysterectomy. It aims to remove both, the uterus and ovaries of a female dog/cat. The removal eliminates the dog’s ability to go into heat and reproduce.⁽¹⁾

When is the Best Time to Spay a Dog?

The best time to spay a dog depends on several factors including the breed, size, health and lifestyle. In smaller dogs that weigh less than 50 pounds, the recommended and most common age to get them spayed is around 6 months. For bigger dogs, it is advised to wait until the full development of the skeleton, but before the second heat cycle. This usually occurs between 12-15 months of age. ⁽¹⁾

Some say a female dog should not be spayed before the first heat cycle as the pup needs her hormones through adolescence to properly grow and mature. And a mistimed spay can cause lifelong problems. However, it is more applicable to larger breeds or the ones prone to or suffering from joint problems, urinary infections, and vaginal dermatitis. 

When is the Best Time to Spay a Cat?

Cats can be spayed at any age, even during their late teens. While mature intact cats can be safely spayed, vets generally recommend spaying to be done at the age of 6-7 months. Some cats reach sexual maturity at the age of 5 months. In those cases, the vet may recommend an early spaying at the age of 3-4 months. ⁽²⁾

It is always best to consult your vet before deciding on a time to spay the cat. 

What does Spay Surgery involve? 

Before the surgery, the vet will get some bloodwork done on the dog/cat to ensure no complications. If everything is okay, then the surgery will start with administering anesthesia to the dog/cat. The vet will then make an incision in the abdomen and remove the ovaries and uterus. The incision is then shut with several layers of stitches that are often removed after 7-10 days of the procedure (with absorbable stitches, you won’t need to come back). ⁽²⁾

The vet may ask you to offer no food to your cat from midnight of the night before the surgery. There may be other prerequisites too depending on the case. 

After the surgery, the dog/cat would require 5-7 days of rest. It is advised to avoid any kind of intensive physical activity like running or swimming. A few short walks on a leash every day would do. Some dogs may even need an e-collar to stop them from licking the wound. 

Can Older Dogs be Spayed?

While it is recommended to spay female dogs when they are young, older dogs can also be spayed. Older dogs can have certain medical issues that can make the surgery more complicated. But, if the dog can undergo anesthesia without any problem, there shouldn’t be an issue. For other possible complications, the vet will perform pre-surgery tests to ensure a safe surgery. 

What are the Benefits of Spaying? 

All non-breeding female dogs and cats are advised to be spayed. Apart from preventing unwanted litters, there are multiple other benefits to spaying. They include - ⁽³⁾ 

In general, they say that spayed dogs and cats live longer than the unspayed ones. 

Are there any Disadvantages of Spaying? 

Yes, there can be some potential disadvantages to spaying like – ⁽³⁾

Do note that these are not prone to every spayed dog/cat. It may vary from case to case. Spaying also does not change the personality, intelligence, playfulness or affection. 

How much does Spaying Cost? 

Spaying is usually a costlier procedure than neutering because it is more invasive. The average cost of spaying, considering no complications or underlying health conditions, is $250 - $525 for a dog⁴. Spaying a cat costs between $200 - $400⁵. 

More About Spot Pet Insurance

Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more.

Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!