How Much Does Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost?
Much like humans, a dog’s oral health is a very important part of maintaining good overall health. Dogs should have their teeth brushed at least every other day at home and see their veterinarian every year for a dental check up and teeth cleaning. Dog teeth cleaning cost varies greatly per location and veterinarian clinic. Dog dental cleaning costs are also be affected by the size of the dog, as larger dogs require more anesthesia than small dogs. The biggest factor in the cost of dog teeth cleaning is whether the dog’s teeth are in good shape or not. Dog teeth cleaning cost can be as low as $70 to as high as $2000, however, the average dog dental cleaning costs around $300. The cost of dog teeth cleaning usually includes anesthesia, a dental check up, removal of tartar and plaque buildup, polishing of the teeth and a fluoride treatment for the teeth. Some veterinarian offices that offer below average dog teeth cleaning prices, do not include the cost of anesthesia in their cost, so owners will be billed extra for it.
Average Cost Of Dog Teeth Cleaning
For dogs with no serious dental problems, average dog teeth cleaning cost is around $300. For dogs that need teeth extracted or have other serious dental problems, average dog teeth cleaning prices are around $600; however in very serious cases dog dental cleaning costs can be $1000 or more. The average cost of dog teeth cleaning varies per location and veterinarian clinic. Prices can vary by several hundred dollars from one city to the next and even amongst veterinarian clinics in the same city. Generally, veterinarian clinics in small towns and rural communities offer lower dog teeth cleaning prices than veterinarian clinics in large cities.
Professional Dog Teeth Cleaning
Professional dog teeth cleaning is done by a specially trained veterinarian. Professional dog teeth cleaning helps to remove tartar that brushing at home cannot remove, and helps to prevent gum disease, periodontal disease and gingivitis. During a professional dog teeth cleaning the dog is put to sleep with an anesthesia so the veterinarian can give the dog’s teeth and gums a thorough cleaning. Professional dog teeth cleaning removes tartar, plaque and bacteria that teeth brushing at home cannot remove, thus giving the dog healthier whiter teeth and better breath. Another advantage of having a dog’s teeth professionally cleaned is that potential dental problems will be detected before they become serious, thus saving the dog owner money on future dog dental cleaning costs. Average professional dog teeth cleaning cost is around $300.
Dog Teeth Cleaning Products
There are numerous dog teeth cleaning products available to help dog owners keep their dog’s teeth clean. There are dog teeth cleaning toys, bones, treats and dog food. There are also dog toothbrushes and toothpaste, and teeth cleaning gels and sprays. The cost of dog teeth cleaning products ranges from $5-$100.
Dog Teeth Cleaning Tools
Dog toothbrushes and toothpaste are the most commonly used dog teeth cleaning tools by dog owners. Dog toothbrushes cost around $5-$10 and dog toothpaste usually costs around $10 a tube. Dog toothpaste is available in many dog friendly flavors like chicken, beef and cheese. There are also dental wipes, cleaning gloves and finger teeth cleaning gloves available for $5-$10. Brushing a dog’s teeth regularly can help decrease dog teeth cleaning cost by hundreds or even thousands of dollars during the dog’s lifetime.
Dog Teeth Cleaning Treats
One of the most popular ways to clean a dog’s teeth is with dog teeth cleaning treats. There are a number of these treats on the market; they range in price from $1-$5 when bought individually and $10-$40 when bought by the pack. One of the more popular types of dog teeth cleaning treats are dog dental chews. Most dog dental chews come in large discount packs; when buying large packs of dental chews dog owners usually pay around $.80 a chew.
Dog Teeth Cleaning Spray
There are numerous teeth cleaning sprays and gels available that help to stop the buildup of plaque and tartar on a dog’s teeth. Some of the teeth cleaning sprays and gels are made of all natural ingredients, while other are manufactured with chemicals and preservatives. Most of these sprays and gels are used by applying them to the dog’s teeth weekly. Sprays and gels cost from $5-$100 depending on the brand. The all-natural and organic brands tend to cost more than the normal commercial sprays and gels.
Dog Teeth Cleaning Bones
Just like dog teeth cleaning treats, dog teeth cleaning bones are extremely popular with dogs. Chewing on bones helps to clean a dog’s teeth, stimulates the dog’s gums and helps to remove plaque and tartar. Any type of bone helps keep a dog’s teeth clean, but dog teeth cleaning bones are particularly helpful as they are specially designed to clean the dog’s teeth.
These bones are great for keeping a dog’s teeth clean; however, they generally do not clean above the gum line so they are not a substitute for regular teeth brushing and veterinarian teeth cleaning. Dog teeth cleaning bones range in price from $5-$20, depending on the size on bone. Dog dental bones last anywhere from an hour or two, or several days, depending on how voracious of a chewer the dog is.
Dog Teeth Cleaning Risks
Dog teeth cleaning is a low risk procedure. However, whenever an anesthesia is used there is always a potential risk of complications. Anesthesia complications are rare, but they do happen and can sometimes be fatal. Many veterinarians highly recommend pre-teeth cleaning blood tests to ensure the dog is in good health before the procedure, especially for older dogs. The average cost of blood tests is around $50. Anesthesia causes an upset stomach in some dogs and may cause them to vomit. Dogs should not be fed twelve hours before being administered anesthesia to help prevent them from being sick. Another anesthesia risk is if the dog has allergies to it. Certain breeds like Sighthounds are very sensitive to anesthesia. In addition, there is always the risk of human error during any procedure. The veterinarian may damage the dog’s gums or surrounding teeth when extracting a tooth or may cause excessive bleeding. There is also a small risk of the dog developing an infection from a teeth cleaning.
How To Clean Dog Teeth
Brushing a dog’s teeth at home is one of the best ways to prevent dental problems and save money on professional dog teeth cleaning procedures. Many dog owners are hesitant to brush their dog’s teeth as they feel it will be difficult; however learning how to brush a dog’s teeth at home is much easier than most people expect. Owners should purchase a dog toothbrush and toothpaste. A dog’s teeth are brushed much like a human’s teeth, with a gentle circular motion. Owners should start slow, brushing only a tooth or two to start and slowly increasing the number of teeth being brushed every few days. Dog owners should be gentle, positive and make the experience fun by always ending it with a delicious dog treat and lots of praise. Some dogs will fuss at first, but with patience and reassurance will learn to accept getting their teeth cleaned in just a week or two. Most dog toothbrushes and toothpastes come with extra dog teeth cleaning tips to make the job simpler. Some owners find it easier to clean their dog’s teeth at home using finger or glove brushes or teeth cleaning wipes instead of a toothbrush. To help ensure tartar doesn’t have a chance to build up, home dog teeth cleaning procedures should be done every other day.
Dog Teeth Cleaning Without Anesthesia
With most dog dental cleanings the dog is put to sleep with an anesthesia so the veterinarian is able to clean its teeth thoroughly without having the dog move around. However, there is always the risk of a dog dying under anesthesia and many owners do not want to take the risk just to get the dog’s teeth cleaned. In response to dog owner’s requests, some veterinarian clinics offer anesthesia free teeth cleaning. Anesthesia free dog teeth cleaning is safer than traditional dog teeth cleaning; however it is not without risks. During an anesthesia free teeth cleaning the dog may be accidentally be injured by moving during the teeth cleaning procedure. Anesthesia free teeth cleaning is far more difficult for the veterinarian and usually is not as thorough as traditional dog teeth cleaning; it is usually difficult for the veterinarian to remove the tartar along the gum line. Another drawback of anesthesia free teeth cleaning is that it is often difficult for the veterinarian to completely inspect the dog’s teeth and he may miss the early signs of serious problems. Anesthesia free dog teeth cleaning costs less than traditional teeth cleaning. The average cost of anesthesia free dog teeth cleaning is around $100, while the average cost of dog teeth cleaning done with anesthesia is around $300.
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