[Detailed explanation] How much does it cost to neuter a dog? Can insurance be used?

The average lifespan of a dog is said to be around 10 to 13 years, depending on the breed. A dog that you'll live with for over 10 years is a real member of the family.

Neutering is something that all pet owners should consider at some point.

This time, we'll introduce you to the cost and process of neutering your dog.

Why Neutering in the First Place?

There are two main reasons for neutering dogs.

For disease prevention and treatment

Neutering a dog by the third heat cycle is said to reduce the incidence of uterine and ovarian diseases, testicular tumors, and mammary tumors.

In addition, sex hormones released by the reproductive organs can worsen other diseases.

Forced neutering may be used to treat illnesses, such as hormonal alopecia and castration for male urinary tract reconstruction.

Because it increases the number of offspring

This is probably the most commonly associated reason.

This is common among dogs kept outdoors, but they may unknowingly mate with another dog and become pregnant.

Dogs give birth to an average of five puppies at a time, and many are brought to animal shelters and euthanized because the mothers are unable to care for them.

While this isn't a problem if you can keep all your dogs, many people opt to neuter them to prevent unwanted breeding.

Cost of Neutering

Prices may vary depending on the breed, but the average price for small to medium-sized dogs is said to be between ¥15,000 and ¥30,000.

Large dogs tend to be more expensive than small to medium-sized dogs due to the increased amount of anesthesia and medication used.

The above price is for the neutering procedure alone, but there may be additional costs for pre-operative testing, hospitalization, prescribed medication upon discharge, and stitches for removal.

Therefore, including everything from pre-operative examinations to post-operative care, the average cost is around 30,000 to 50,000 yen for small to medium-sized dogs and around 50,000 to 70,000 yen for large dogs.

Please note that additional costs may be incurred

Further costs may be incurred depending on the dog's health and post-operative condition.

For example, in the case of male dogs, the testicles are removed. However, if the testicles are not in the scrotum but remain in the lower abdomen or under the skin (cryptorchidism), the procedure is different from the usual surgery and costs more.

Also, for dogs with chronic conditions such as heart disease or elderly dogs, additional tests and medications may be required to reduce the risk of general anesthesia. The more tests and medications required, the higher the cost.

Can I use insurance for neutering?

Generally, neutering dogs is not covered by pet insurance.

The reason it's not covered by insurance is that pet insurance is intended to cover the cost of treating injuries and illnesses, and neutering to restore a healthy dog ​​is not covered by pet insurance.

However, if neutering is necessary to treat an illness or injury, it may be covered by pet insurance.

Other items not covered by pet insurance include:

• Expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth
• Vaccinations and vaccinations
• Health checkup costs
• Injuries and illnesses that occurred before the insurance contract was signed
• Treatment costs for illnesses that can be prevented with vaccinations

It's good to keep these in mind.

Items excluded from coverage vary by insurance company, so it's important to check before signing the contract and, if you already have one, to inquire.

Subsidies and Grants for Neutering Surgery

Did you know that there are systems that provide subsidies and grants for dog neutering?

Local governments in the area where you own a dog may cover part or all of the cost of neutering.

This system was introduced to reduce the number of abandoned cats and dogs due to unwanted breeding.

The amount of funding varies depending on the region, whether the animal is a dog or a cat, and whether it is male or female. Here are some examples for fiscal year 2022 in several regions.

Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture

In Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, a subsidy of 3,000 yen is provided for neutering dogs.

To receive the subsidy

• The dog must not be for sale.
• The dog must maintain an address in Mito City even after neutering.
• The dog must not be in arrears with city taxes.
• The dog must be registered with Mito City and have been issued a rabies vaccination certificate for fiscal year 2021.
• The dog must have been vaccinated in fiscal year 2021.

All of the above conditions must be met.

Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture

Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, offers a subsidy of 3,000 yen per dog for neutering.

To receive the subsidy

• The dog owner must be a resident of Matsusaka City.
• The dog must be registered.
• The dog must have received a rabies vaccination for fiscal year 2021.

All of the above conditions must be met.

Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture

Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, offers a subsidy of 2,000 yen per dog for neutering.

Furthermore, only one pet per household can receive the subsidy per fiscal year. To receive the subsidy,

• The dog must be healthy and kept within Imabari City by an owner who lives in the city.
• The dog must be registered and have received a rabies vaccination within the past year.

All of the above conditions must be met.

Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture

When performing neutering surgery on dogs in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture

• For males, Nagoya City provides a subsidy of 1,600 yen, and the Veterinary Association provides a subsidy of 3,200 yen.
• For females, Nagoya City provides a subsidy of 3,200 yen, and the Veterinary Association provides a subsidy of 6,400 yen.

To receive the grant

• You must own a dog in Nagoya City and reside in Nagoya City.
• Your dog must have received a rabies vaccination.

All of the above conditions must be met.

Summary

In addition to the cost of neutering, we learned that there are various other costs, such as pre-operative testing and hospitalization.

Subsidies are provided in each region to reduce unwanted breeding, and some regions offer subsidies and grants. Please check the system in your area. If you're unsure, it may be a good idea to inquire at your city hall.

It's a sad reality that some pets are allowed to breed even though they can't be kept, resulting in the animals being euthanized at the public health center.

To ensure the lives of future dogs are not wasted, it's important to understand the neutering procedure, costs, and subsidy system.