How Much Does A Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost?

Just like their hoomans who need to go to the dentist for a thorough cleaning twice per year, pets need regular professional dental cleanings too! In this article we’ll cover how much anesthetic and non-anesthetic dog teeth cleanings cost so you know what to expect before you schedule an appointment.

Non-Anesthetic Dog Dental Cleanings Are More Affordable

Pet dental cleanings can be performed either with anesthesia or without. Dog teeth cleanings with anesthesia are generally performed by a veterinarian and are more expensive due to the cost of sedation. Non-anesthetic dental cleanings cost less because they use calming techniques instead of sedatives to keep pets relaxed during the cleaning process.

Calming Techniques Used During Non-Anesthetic Pet Dental Cleanings

A variety of calming techniques can be used during your pet’s non-anesthetic dental cleaning in order to help keep them relaxed and safe during their visit. Below are a few quick examples of how pets are kept calm during anesthesia-free cleanings. Check out our calming techniques for pet dental cleanings article if you’d like to see them all!

• Breaks every 10 to 15 minutes during the appointment
• Swaddles used on smaller dogs gives them comfort
• An orthopedic mat and neck pillow is used to keep larger dogs comfortable

Cost of Non-Anesthetic Dog Dental Cleanings

Non-anesthetic dog teeth cleaning costs may vary depending on your area, but you should expect to pay somewhere between $180-$270 per visit. In contrast, the cost for dog dental cleanings with anesthesia can range from $600-$1,200.

Professional dog dental cleaning costs are commonly determined by weight. The logic behind this is that smaller pets have smaller mouths and smaller teeth so it usually takes less time to complete a dental. Non-anesthetic dental cleanings for pets who fall in the “mini” size category typically take about 30 minutes, whereas cleanings for larger dogs may take between 45 minutes to an hour.

Benefits of Non-Anesthetic Pet Dental Cleanings

Not only do non-anesthetic dog teeth cleanings cost less, but they come with other benefits too!

Because calming techniques are used instead of sedatives to relax pets, anesthesia free dental cleanings are less stressful and your dog will still receive a deep cleaning, including below the gum line. Pet dental cleanings that are performed with anesthesia often require the pet to be sedated for several hours followed by a period of time that is needed for recovery when they wake up. The use of sedation can also be dangerous for pets with certain health conditions and in some situations blood work may be needed before anesthesia can be administered. All of this can be very stressful for animals.

When performed by a trained professional, non-anesthetic dog teeth cleanings are just as thorough as those where anesthesia is administered. However, they don’t require blood work, x-rays, or medication. There are also no side effects, and there’s no recovery time.

Sedation is Sometimes Necessary

Prior to starting a non-anesthetic dental cleaning, your pet should be evaluated by the provider to determine if they are a good candidate for the procedure or if seeing a veterinarian for sedation dentistry is a safer option. The need for sedation is often due to advanced dental disease or behavioral issues, but for pets who do not have these concerns, non-anesthetic dental cleanings can be a great alternative! If you’re interested in learning more about the differences between dental cleanings with anesthesia and non-anesthetic pet dentals, this article provides more in-depth information.

The HealthySmiles Club For Affordable Dog Teeth Cleanings

If you’re located in Florida, HealthySmiles offers a monthly membership program to help make pet dental cleanings more affordable. Members pay for 2 or 3 dental cleanings per year at a discounted rate that is broken down into convenient monthly payments. Check out our membership page to learn more about the HealthySmiles Club for affordable non-anesthetic pet dentals and calculate what your discounted monthly rate could be!