Spaying your female cat: age, price and what to know
Published on 6/30/2026
Why spay your female cat?
Spaying (ovariectomy) involves removing the ovaries to prevent unwanted litters. Beyond reproduction, it limits heat-related behaviors (meowing, marking, escaping) and reduces the risk of certain conditions. It is also a form of regulation: it helps limit the stray cat population.
At what age should you spay a female cat?
Spaying can be considered at various ages, often before or around the first heat, but there is no single rule. The best timing depends on your cat's health and development. It's a decision to make with your vet, who performs a pre-operative examination to check she is fit for anesthesia.
How much does spaying a female cat cost?
The price varies by clinic, region and associated care (anesthesia, post-operative follow-up).
In Belgium: spaying a female cat starts around €120 and can rise depending on the care included.
In France: generally expect from €120, sometimes more depending on the clinic.
Good to know: some municipalities and associations offer reduced-rate spaying campaigns, sometimes even free under certain conditions. Check locally.
Facts & figures
from around €120 — Starting price for spaying a female cat in Belgium
Source: Santévet Belgium
Frequently asked questions
Does a spayed cat still need regular care?
Yes, of course. Spaying doesn't change the need for vaccines, deworming, antiparasitics and annual follow-up. It may, however, slightly change dietary needs, to be discussed with the vet.
Spaying and neutering, what's the difference?
Neutering concerns the male (removal of the testicles), spaying concerns the female (removal of the ovaries, sometimes the uterus). In everyday language, the term is often used loosely for both.