How Much Does Teeth Cleaning Cost for Dogs?

I don’t brush my dog’s teeth but I am willing to pay for full teeth cleaning under anesthesia when they need it.

So that I was prepared when that day comes, I started researching how much teeth cleaning for dogs cost.

Dog with dirty teeth getting his teeth cleaned
Photo Credit: Depositphotos/jochenschneider

UPDATED: January 25, 2023

How Much Does a Dog Dental Cleaning Cost in Seattle?

Since I live near Seattle, I called and spoke to several local veterinary clinics about the cost of getting my dog’s teeth cleaned.

I found that the service level and price quotes varied.

Teeth Cleaning at Aurora Veterinary Hospital

Our regular vet clinic is the Aurora Veterinary Hospital.

The vets there are great, the clinic is highly-rated with 4.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp, and I have no doubt that they would do a very thorough job with the cleaning.

I called them to ask how much they charge to clean a dog’s teeth.

Although they couldn’t give me a specific cost without a pre-dental exam, the estimate was $300 – $500 for a basic teeth cleaning, including the discharge antibiotics, per dog.

If teeth needed to be extracted, the price could increase by $100 – $300 or more.

I checked out prices at a few more places in to compare.

Teeth Cleaning at Shoreline Central Animal Hospital

The Shoreline Central Animal Hospital just north of Seattle, formerly the Value Pet Clinic which still operates at several locations around Puget Sound, receives 3.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp.

I called them and they said the cleaning for my 4-year old dog would be $190, including post-dental medication.

It would cost another $130 for fluids and blood work for a senior dog to make sure they can handle the anesthesia and to keep them hydrated during the procedure.

Both dogs would need a pre-dental exam costing about $30 each.

Extractions would cost extra if needed.

In other words, a dog dental cleaning through them would cost an minimum of $220 for a young dog with little or no dental disease and closer to $600 minimum for a senior dog who might need an extraction.

Dog getting a professional teeth cleaning
Photo Credit: Depositphotos/scorpp

Teeth Cleaning at Vet’s for Less Animal Clinic

The Vet’s for Less Animal Clinic in Federal Way, south of Seattle, quoted a dental cleaning at $79 – $109 (based on weight) on their website.

This clinic is named VCA Panther Lake Animal Hospital on Yelp and receives 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Their website lists the cost of a basic dog dental at $89-$119.

I called and was told a dog does not need a pre-dental physical exam so there is no extra cost there.

If tooth extractions are needed, they cost $13 for small teeth and $79 to $99 each for larger ones.

They said that they call you if extractions are recommended to see what you want to do (However, if your dog needs a rotten tooth out you should not leave it in).

They would want to do blood work on a senior dog before the procedure, which would cost  around $20.

After-surgery antibiotics are only prescribed if they feel your dog needs them and they do cost extra.

Therefore, having a dog’s teeth cleaned at their clinic would start at around $139 for a small, young dog with little or no dental disease and could increase to around $240.

Teeth Cleaning at the Greenwood Animal Hospital

I found the Greenwood Animal Hospital, up the road from our regular vet, receives a Yelp rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Their website says they charge $571.50 to clean a dog’s teeth plus another $200.00 for a pre-anesthetic blood test.

Tooth extractions can cost $50-$160 and the pain injection and medication to go home is an additional $100.00.

That means the minimum cost to get a dog’s teeth cleaned here starts at $871 and can go up from there.

The Average Cost to Get a Dog’s Teeth Cleaned in Seattle

Based on my limited research, the average cost to get your dog’s teeth cleaned under anesthesia in Seattle starts is about $550.

If you can find a budget veterinary clinic, it could cost as little as $140.

On the higher end, a dog dental cleaning in the Seattle area could cost closer to $1,000.

What About Banfield?

Banfield Pet Hospital is located within PetSmart stores around the US.

It is a full-service veterinary clinic but I didn’t list it in my research above because it’s not a typical pay-as-you-to clinic.

Still, people occasionally ask me about them because their Active Plus and Special Care dog Optimum Wellness Plans do cover 1 dental cleaning a year.

Parsing out what it costs to get a dog’s teeth cleaned at Banfield is difficult because their wellness plans are comprehensive and cover additional things like annual wellness exams, vaccinations, and more.

Depending on your location, the Active Plus plan is about $563 a year and and the Special Care pan is about $707 a year. (source)

Therefore, one could deduct that the dog dental cleaning cost at Banfield is some fraction of that.

Dog under anesthesia getting it's teeth cleaned
Photo Credit: Depositphotos/ivonnewierink

How Much Does Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost Near Me?

I originally wrote this article in the beginning of 2014.

Since then, readers have chimed in and shared what they paid, or were quoted, from other locations around the US and Canada.

Instead of making you comb through all of the comments, I decided to compile that information directly in my article.

Some things to keep in mind around these numbers:

  • These are reader reported. I have not confirmed the accuracy of these costs myself.
  • The low-end quotes may be from budget or value clinics that may or may not cut corners. 
  • Before choosing where to get your dog’s teeth cleaned, be sure to ask a lot of questions, especially if the quote falls on the low end of the ranges below.

Questions to ask include:

  • Will pre-anesthesia bloodwork be done?
  • Does this quote include tooth extractions if they are needed? Be sure to ask about this because extracting one tooth could add $50-200 to the cost.
  • Does this quote include post-surgery medications?

Based on reader reports, the US National average cost for dog teeth cleaning is $674.

Based on the few reports I received, the average cost to have your dog’s teeth cleaned in Canada is almost twice that ( $1,244).

Dog with open mouth at the operating table for dental care
Photo Credit: Depositphotos/ivonnewierink

Here is my compiled list of individual reports so you can find dog dental cleaning cost information for a city near you.

Alabama:

  • Mobile: $629
  • Auburn: $100-$250
  • Muscle Shoals: $150

Alabama average: $282.25

Alaska:

  • Unknown City: $1,500

California

  • Cypress:  $250-390
  • South Lake Tahoe: $600-$800
  • Bay Area: $600-$1,700
  • Los Angeles: $400-$1200
  • Murrieta: $1,000
  • Sacramento: $800

California average: $774

Colorado:

  • Denver: $1,300-$2,900
  • Unknown City: $700

Colorado Average: $1,633.30

Connecticut:

  • Unknown City: $400-$800 ($600 average)

Georgia:

  • Atlanta Suburb: $500-$900 ($700 average)

Maryland:

  • Unknown City: $500

Nevada:

  • Carson City: $300

New Hampshire:

  • Amherst: $791

New Jersey:

  • Atlantic City: $600-$900 ($750 average)

New York:

  • Buffalo: $900-$1,100
  • Unknown City: $800-$1,000
  • Upstate: $1,050-$1,600

New York Average: $1,075

North Carolina:

  • Charlotte: $200

Oregon:

  • Portland: $600
  • Tualatin: $240

Oregon Average: $420

Texas:

  • Austin: $200-$1,000
  • Houston: $700-$2,500

Texas Average: $1,000

Tennessee:

  • Maryville: $375

Virginia:

  • Richmond: $225

District of Columbia:

  • Washington DC: $250-$400 ($325 average)

Canada:

  • Alberta: $1,500 (Grand Prairie)
  • Ontario: $900-$1,200 (Niagra area)
  • Saskatchewan: $1,120-$1,500

Canada Average: $1,244

Dachshund and big dog

The Bottom Line

As you can see, the cost to get your dog’s teeth can vary by vet clinic.

The price can vary depending on whether:

  • Your dog needs a routine, simple cleaning or they have a lot of tooth decay and need extractions.
  • The size of your dog (with cleaning for larger dogs costing more).
  • The age of your dog.
  • Whether there is a low-cost clinic in your area or your veterinarian charges on a sliding scale.
  • Whether only the minimum safety standards are followed or the clinic goes above-and-beyond to make sure your dog is safe and comfortable.

According to my informal research, the low estimate for a simple teeth cleaning on a young dog at a value clinic could be as low as $200.

In my opinion, it’s more likely to cost in the $700-$1,000 range though and could be as high as $2,000.

Keep in mind that some veterinarians recommend a thorough teeth cleaning under anesthesia every 6 months so you could be paying that fee twice a year.

Many vets recommend a thorough dental cleaning once a year.

Other’s only recommend teeth cleaning when there are signs of major plaque build-up, dental disease, or tooth issues.

Dog's teeth brown from build up for tarar
Photo Credit: Depositphotos/cynoclub

Signs Your Dog May Need Their Teeth Cleaned

I ask my veterinarian if my dogs need their teeth professionally cleaned every time I take them in for an exam.

So far year answer has been no or “Eh. You could if you want.

I only take them in once a year though for regular physicals (unless there is a medical issue), so I wanted to know what signs to look for that might indicate they need their teeth cleaned.

Signs of dental issues in dogs include:

  • Foul smelling breath
  • Yellow teeth or teeth that are are brown at the top (or all over)
  • Abnormal drooling
  • Inflamed, swollen, or bleeding gums
  • Loose or broken teeth
  • Refusal to eat or chewing food slower and more carefully than normal
  • Pawing at or rubbing the mouth
  • Reduced activity or lethargy. (source: Seattle Times article above)

If I saw any of these signs regularly, or a combination of signs, I would take my dogs to the vet to have their teeth examined immediately.

Final Thoughts

If the home routine you use to help keep your dog’s teeth clean isn’t enough, your veterinarian may suggest a thorough cleaning under anesthesia.

A dental cleaning typically includes anesthesia and an anesthesiologist to monitor, teeth scaling on the surface and under the gum line, and x-rays.

Additional cost may be accrued if your dog needs teeth removed (extracted), they need additional support like hydration while under anesthesia, they need post-procedure antibiotics, or they need bloodwork before being put under to help assess the risk.

The teeth cleaning cost for dogs can be upwards of $1,000, especially if a dog is older, needs exactions, or has health issues.

Since cleaning under anesthesia may not be recommended by your vet yet, or your dog may have health issues that make them a poor candidate for anesthesia, you might want to check out review of anesthesia free dog dental cleaning.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Dog's Teeth Cleaned Under by a Veterinarian Under Anesthesia? Check out this survey of prices around the country.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Jessica. I’ve been studying the Dachshund breed since 2007, owned 3 of my own, and shared in the lives of thousands of others through their owner’s stories. When I’m not sharing what I know on this blog, you can find me hiking, camping, and traveling with my adventurous wiener dogs.

171 Comments

  1. That sounds about right. Penny’s last cleaning (in CA) looked like this –

    Exam – $50
    Anesthesia – $165
    Cleaning – $150
    Antibiotic Injection for bleeding – $30
    Sub Total = $395
    Insurance covered $100
    Total $295

    1. Your insurance covers part of it? That’s cool. We have Trupanion and when we signed up a few years ago they didn’t cover any part of teeth cleaning. They have made some small changes over the years (that I haven’t really paid attention to) so maybe I should check with them again to make sure.

      1. I live in Alabama and just had my 15 year old dog’s teeth cleaned. I thought she had an abscessed tooth but it was a tumor growing on her gums that needed to be removed. Here’s the breakdown for everything:

        Office Visit: $40
        Dental Cleaning: $130
        Bloodwork: $68
        Surgery: $100
        Anesthesia: $56
        IV and fluids: $75
        Extractions: $300 total / $25 per tooth (my dog had 12 extractions)
        Pain Injection: $30
        Antibiotics: $30
        Discount from Vet: -$200
        Total: $629.00

        1. Thanks for the report Rhonda. That seems pretty average/reasonable. Glad you caught the tumor when you did.

        2. Please let me know where in Alabama you are and which vet you used. I’m in Birmingham and I have a rescue that has what looks like a tumor that will need to come out. I’m terrified this is going to cost me more than I can afford.

        1. Hi Carolyn. I’m not positive I understand the nature of your question. To be clear, I am not a veterinarian and do not perform any kind of dental work. If you are asking what I would do, if our veterinarian gave me the option of getting a filling for my dog instead of removing the tooth, I would lean that way. However, it would depend on which tooth, whether it would affect her eating, and the cost.

    2. Could you please kindly advise the name and address of the specialist who cleaned your dog’s teeth? In my vet. hospital they charge twice that much

      Thanks

    3. Just looking to see how much I’m getting hosed living in Calgary (super expensive, we ended up going to Saskatchewan for the neuter to cut the cost).

      Estimate for a 17lb dog with cleaning and extraction of 1-2 teeth.. $1120-1500

      1. Wow…that IS probably one of the highest quotes I have heard of. Thanks for reporting on the price from Calgary for us 🙂

      2. We found the price varies quite a bit and that shopping around is a good idea. Our regular (former?) vet has a very nice office in a decent location and was going to charge between 900-1200 for cleaning and two extractions. We found another vet in a humble office in another location who is about $500 cheaper. Our dog is older so we needed the blood work and some drugs to help identify any risks before they put her under anesthesia.

        1. Yeah, I found that the price varies quite a bit too. Thanks for sharing what you found. Where do you live? Do you mind sharing the less expensive vet?

          1. Hi Jessica – I live on the west side of Los Angeles, not far from LAX. Our recently discovered vet is at Ladera Pet Clinic. I really like him – he takes more time with us and he has pointed out some issues with our dog that our other vet never mentioned – a minor heart murmur and bad knees. Sad to hear but important stuff to know about. I guess the lesson here is that it’s a good idea to shop around and try different vets.

            1. Thanks Jeremy! We live in Seattle which is also very expensive like Los Angeles. I appreciate you helping our readers know about this great, affordable vet.

              I agree it is a good idea to shop around and try different vets…especially if cost is a big factor. Location was most important for us so we go to a really good clinic right down the street from us. Their prices are on the higher end I think though.

              1. Location murrieta ca….24 lb standard dachshund w I tooth to extract was quoted $1,000..cleaning is included with overnite..yadayada. Vet moved to new office, new associates……all prices went up. (Sigh) looking for more reasonably priced services. Any referrals?

                1. Ouch. That already sounds on kind of the high end…and then the prices went up 🙁 I am not sure why they would need to keep your doggy overnight. I’ve never run into another vet saying they needed to do that for a teeth cleaning. I assume it might be to monitor but it sounds excessive.

                  I don’t know anyone directly in Murrieta, CA for but one of our readers might be from there. You are welcome to post the question on our Facebook page. Someone from our community might be able to help. In case you don’t already follow us, you can find our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner

                  1. My 5 year old miniature dachshund is in need of a serious teeth cleaning. We just overcame a disc herniation in his neck, the vet said we would deal with that first and then worry about his teeth. I was quoted $7600 for an MRI and surgery to fix his disc herniation. At that point we had already spent $1500 on vet visits and medication and the emergency clinic. I love the little guy more than anything, but I just couldn’t afford that. We tried steroids, anti-inflammatories, pain killers and muscle relaxers, didn’t work. He just kept crying and crying. It was awful. We started looking into other options and found a local animal chiropractor, figured it couldn’t hurt. Could go to the chiropractor many times for $7600. He went twice a week at first and is now down to once a month and back to the happy little wiener he was before he hurt himself.

                    Anyway, I live north of Toronto and am wondering if anyone knows a good vet that will clean my handsome little guys’ teeth for an affordable price.

                    1. Oh, no. Sorry to hear about the disk problem. I am glad that conservative treatment and chiropractor visits helped him.

                      I may have missed it but did they tell you how much the teeth cleaning would be? Did the $7,600 include the teeth cleaning?

      3. Live in Niagara area of Ontario and just had dental cleaning for my 5-year old pug rescue , with four tiny extractions and 2 molar extractions for a cost of $1200……the x-ray alone was $150……we are finding our vet’s fees are climbing by about 15% a year!

        1. I live in Amherst NH and my vet is there. I just had my dogs teeth cleaned and the bill was $791;
          Oral assessment treatment and prevention-$148
          Preanesthetic narcotic injection-$34
          NSAID injection-$28.54
          Antibiotic injection with surgery-$20.70
          IV catheter with surgery-$64.00
          Anesthesia-dentistry-$99.11
          Isoflurance per minute-$203.40
          Extraction-$40.00
          Suture=$18.30
          Consil app;ication-$39
          postop injection-$34
          take home meds $42
          Laster therapy-$20
          GRAND TOTAL-$791.00

          1. The new vet’s at many clinics think of themselves as high priced medical surgeons at major hospitals. I like to watch Dr. Pol on the animal channel. I can garantee you he would not think of charging such an outlandish price. I guess we will need Obamacare for our pets next. The doctors and facility charges are out of control. Why do people keep giving them business.

            1. I definitely agree that, depending on location and clinic, vet costs can be expensive. It always confused me a little why the cost at one clinic can literally be hundreds of dollars cheaper than at another clinic down the road. As someone who owns their own business though, I can definitely see that one place might need to be more expensive because of overhead like equipment, staffing, supplies, etc.

      4. Hi,
        Today I let my dog to clean her teet. We are living in Grande aprairie, Ab.
        At first they told us 500$. A hour later they called and asked if we would agree with RX…Half hour after, called again to say that my 9yo dog have to remove all bottom front teet. Ten minutes later, have to remove 5 back teet….well. It’s 2pm and we are around 1500$.

        Extremely expensive. Much more than my dentist.

      5. I am not happy with Trupanion. The premiums are way too high for what I’ve gotten reimbursed for. I dont even pay for myself! Anyone know of a less expensive company? I’m a senior and can’t afford the premiums anymore! Thank you.t
        That’s ridiculous.

        1. Hi Leny. First, have to contacted Trupanion to get your premiums adjusted? While it’s true that they would only be able to go so low, you can usually lower it if you’re ok with a higher deductible per incident. Are there cheaper insurance companies out there? Yes. But you get what you pay for. The less expensive plans typically cover less and have cost limits. With that being said, Trupanion is truly one of the top-of-the-line pet insurers both in coverage and premium cost. You definitely may be able to find something descent at a lower rate. I would look at 24HourPetWatch (lower quality), ASPCA, or Embrace pet insurance (higher quality, may be cheaper than Trupanion but not sure). Good luck.

          I will note that almost no basic pet insurance covers routine dental cleaning. Some will kick in if your dog needs teeth removed though.

    4. Stay where you are. I just paid $900 here in Ontario, Canada to have my Bichon/Shih-tzu’s teeth cleaned. then I was told that he needs $1800-$2500 worth of more dental surgery done to remove 17 teeth!!!!!!! I can’t afford this and need some advice…..FB

      1. Yikes. That is a lot. I have had some US folks recommend contacting a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. They said they were able to get discount dental cleaning through them. I don’t know if you have something like that where you are at. Also, did you call around to different vets? I contacted a lot of different clinics in Seattle and found the prices quoted varied widely. It’s hit and miss but I would also contact a local animal rescue. Sometimes they can get hardship cases seen my their vet who often gives then a discount. I hope you can find some help. Having 17 bad teeth must be very painful for your little pup 🙁

    5. My dog just had dental surgery. He’s 8 and had very bad breath, so I was concerned. Please make sure when you have your dogs teeth cleaned pay for the dental x-rays. My Vet said without the x-ray she would never have known about an abscess below the root of one of his molars. She was able to extract the tooth and clean out the abscess. Without the x-ray it would have continued to expand and could have broken his jaw. I didn’t even think to look around for another Vet even though the price seemed high. But after looking at this site, seems like prices are fairly similar all over, except Calgary! Sorry Canada:)

    6. Hi, just curious what part of California you are in? The quotes in the Bay Area are astronomical – $600 – $1700!

      1. South Lake Tahoe is extremely expensive also! Our vet wants a base of $700 and another there wants $600 – $800! I’m going to be switching vets to over the hill in Carson City, NV, where the base is only $300! Doesn’t seem right or fair that some vets feel it’s okay to price gouge. I know they do good work for our furkids, but they are the ones that make a bad name for all vets, when some charge reasonable rates and seem to still be able to make a living. Hmmmmm……

      2. I just got my dog’s teeth cleaned at Woodminster Vet in Oakland, CA (drove from SF for the price). Excellent service. Exam, iv, anesthesia, cleaning, cutting nails while under and antibiotics cost me a little over $600. No extractions. My regular vet in SF quote was twice as much. I drive to OAK just for the dental work. Their vaccine prices are very low, too, so I got the rabies shot for him a month ahead of time for $16.
        Warm Spring Pets in the Bay Area offers very good rates, too. Many of the services are optional, so it can add up, but not by much more. I don’t know what they are like but I found their rates clearly stated on their website, so no surprises.

    7. IGive your dogs raw beef bones when they’re young and it cleans their teeth and you will never have to have their teeth cleaned! I got a dog that had nasty teeth to begin with and gave him bones and it cleaned his teeth. I have two five-year-old dogs who both have beautiful white pearly teeth because of raw beef bones!

  2. I never did it, maybe I read too much about the pros&contras that I’m totally unsure now, if it is good for Easy or not. ( our vet says always its not necessary at the moment). We clean his teeth with a common oral b toothbrush one time per week and he gets a dental chewing bone every day :o)

    1. Our vet says it is not necessary for Chester and Gretel at the moment either. I sprinkle a product called plaque off on their food every day and they eat mostly raw food. They do have antler chews but they don’t chew on them on a regular basis. Glad you haven’t needed your teeth cleaned yet.

  3. $300-$400 sounds right about right for estimates that I have been given for standard dental cleanings, but for larger dogs like Sherman and Leroy the cost goes up because of the amount of medications that they need.

    1. so THAT’S why it cost more for larger dogs. That makes total sense. I knew that it was more but thought……because they have more/bigger teeth?? Ha, ha.

  4. My daughter who lives in Sacramento got a $800 estimate to clean her dog’s teeth. I don’t know details, but I told her to get other opinions on what needed to be done. This sounds like a root canal and a crown. 🙂

    1. I think that is what it would cost at my vet (the most expensive one I listed) for those services. I think the other places I listed here would be a little less though. It’s always good to shop around and I hope your daughter can find something more affordable.

    1. Chester and Gretel have had their teeth cleaned that way too. It was $150 per dog though. I like $75 better 🙂 I wrote about it before. At some point I will get a thorough teeth cleaning for them under anesthesia so I wanted to know what that would cost. Most of their teeth cleanings will be done anesthesia free though.

      1. At my vet it is $175 for the non-anesthesia cleaning. If you have it done every six months it goes down to $155: every four months $140. If the dog has any real issues then they must be done with anesthesia which is $475. My vet will not do anesthesia without the blood work first on any dog. I live in Atlanta suberb.

  5. You guys are pretty lucky!

    In the Washington DC area (though we’re one of the highest cost of living areas in the country) just the dental cleaning alone can be $250-$400 depending on the size of the pet. Extractions can increase the cost of the procedure by hundreds more. Again it depends a lot on the clinic you go to, whether they have dental x-ray, the amount of training their doctors have, and how carefully they monitor pets under anesthesia.

    Fortunately it’s just about Dental Health Month and many clinics in February will offer discounted dental care.

    1. Discounts for dental health month?? That would be awesome if some vets around here did that. Do you know if they typically advertise or if you have to call around and ask? If I could get both dog’s teeth cleaned for $500 I totally would just for good measure.

      1. Usually they start advertising it pretty soon but you can call and they should be able to tell you whether they promote it year to year.

  6. This is a great post Jessica! The prices up there sound very similar to the ones here in Austin. I have worked at two veterinary clinics, both on the high and low end of costs. The first was a very inexpensive clinic, with probably some of the lowest prices in town. We were small, but good for basic care. Our prices ranged from $100 -$200. Older and larger dogs costing more.

    The more expensive clinic I worked at a dental generally costed $200-$300. They did pre-sx bloodwork on every dog, as well as an EKG and placed a catheter for fluids. Not just older dogs. We also did x-rays there, which could raise the costs. Extractions also raised the cost, and I’ve witnessed dental work so extensive that the final price at the end came out to be $1000 or more. I’ve also done some bond-and-seals on dogs as well as doxycycline gum treatments. Those raise the price too.

    I think the reason the clinics quote you a pre-dental exam fee is probably because they have never seen your dog before. Not sure they’d be charging that if the pet had been seen there in the past year.

    1. Thanks Ann!

      I am realizing that I didn’t ask these vets if the prices they quoted me included X-rays or not. That is something that is very important to me. I almost feel like I might as well go with anesthesia free cleaning if they aren’t doing X-rays. It may not be quite as good but it seems to me that it would be almost as good.

      I am pretty sure my own vet (who has seen Chester and Gretel in the last year) said they would need a pre-exam. Perhaps it was only for Chester so they could do some senior blood work.

  7. There’s a new low-cost dental clinic in Portland where it’s a flat fee of $169 for a dental (including the exam and x-rays). I think extractions and bloodwork cost extra. I haven’t tried them yet but when it’s time for a dental, we’re definitely going to explore that option. You could always drive down!

    1. What is the name of this low cost dental clinic in Portland? I live in Vancouver so it’s not far.

      1. Aurora, Did you get the name of the low cost Dental clinic in Portland? I’m also in Vancouver. I received a quote from my vet for over $600. The Antech Senior 1, explained as blood work is $183. I think this is a bit too high. My cocker spaniel is 7 years old.

  8. I also ask the vet whether Daisy needs a cleaning, each time she gets her exam, and luckily the answer so far has always been No. I dread the time when we have to subject her to anesthesia…and deal with the cost! I’ve heard $500-$800 in our area but haven’t done the research myself yet.

  9. Argh, we’ve been looking at dentals for HufflePup as well, and it’s looking like it’ll cost around $1000 at his regular vet in the Bay Area. Granted, there’s a small mass in his mouth we’d like removed as well but that only accounts for about $200; it’s still awfully steep overall. He’s a big guy, though, and he was always going to be at the higher end of the spectrum. I’m going to do a bit more shopping around, I think.

  10. Teeth cleaning is expensive which is another reason why we get our chompers brushed every night. Mom has never had a dog’s teeth cleaned, but the cats…they are also not cheap and she can’t get them to brush teeth. Cat bro Bert had his cleaned for about $200 this fall and Gramma’s cat cost about $800 as he needed cleaning and a couple tough extractions. He was a rescue cat, so he came with some “pre made” problems. Getting teeth cleaned is not cheap and something you need to plan for.

    1. I just adopted a 11 year old senior doxie and he needs a dental very badly. I took him in yesterday for his bloodwork and the cleaning is scheduled for Tuesday. The bloodwork was 90.00, the exam 40.00. The cleaning is supposed to be 175.00 barring nothing unforeseen popping up. I checked with another vet after getting the quote from my vet and their price started at 275.00 without the bloodwork. I live in the Maryville, Tn area. I have always brushed my other doxie’s teeth who is 10 and they tell me her teeth are excellent. I really think the brushing and dental bones help a lot but believe it’s something that has to be done from the start.

      1. I agree that starting to brush a dog’s teeth when they are young is the best way. That way they can get used to it so it is not a big deal to them in the future. Also, keeping the plaque off is easier than trying to get rid of it. However, I don’t brush Chester and Gretel’s teeth. I tried When Chester was younger but it was such a fight that I didn’t stick with it. I also had a hard time remembering to do it and being consistent. I have a hard enough time remembering to brush my own teeth every day! I have been fortunate that Chester is very healthy, including his teeth. At 11 his teeth look better than Gretel’s at 4. Still, my vet as not said that either need to get their teeth professionally cleaned.

    2. Yes, besides the emotional toll teeth brushing CAN take on a person and their dog, brushing is almost free. I admire people who can get their dogs to like it and do it regularly. I am not good at doing anything regularly. Ha, ha.

      1. Bailie is my fourth dog that gets her teeth brush. She follows me around and waits her turn, just loves it. The flavored toothpaste is part of it, but she lets me brush and as time goes on for longer periods of time. I started all three when they were puppies, but my first dog was two and a rescue when we started. She would sit and stare at me in the evening at “the time” if I hadn’t brushed her teeth. No idea why, but I am glad they love it.

  11. Rigby has an underbite, and I was told by a specialist that annual teeth cleanings for him were very important. His first one was in December and was $418 including tax in Bellevue at Companion Animal Hospital. It included boarding him for the day, fluids, anesthesia, and obviously, the cleaning.

    Next year I’ll be calling around before taking him in to get a better price, but this year he had a small growth by his mouth that I wanted the vet to check out, and they said that was no problem.

    1. That price doesn’t sound outrageous to me but if he just needs a simple cleaning next time you may be able to find it a little cheaper. You could also look into anesthesia-free teeth cleaning if he just needs some plaque knocked off. It’s less expensive and they don’t have to put the dog under. I had it done on Chester. It’s not a substitute for the very thorough cleaning they can do if the dog is asleep and X-rays but it is a good maintenance measure. I don’t know if you saw my post about it but you can read it here: http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/i-dont-brush-my-dogs-teeth-i-did-this-instead/

      1. I don’t think so either, but it did not include xrays. He’s only a year old so I don’t think its necessary now, but as he gets older it would be good to find a place that takes xrays as part of the deal.

        He’s not fond of the vet nor of having his mouth inspected, so I will probably start brushing his teeth instead and just do the once a year cleaning.

  12. I got my dachshunds teeth cleaned when I lived in colorado and lucky for me, I worked at an animal hospital. It cost about $700 to get my dogs teeth clean and he had 2 extractions because of pulpitis. It was a full dental work up: fluids, anesthesia, X-rays, meds. Since I worked there, I got a discount but I think it is definitely worth getting your dogs teeth cleaned especially if you’ve adopted them because you don’t know their history. My dog Lyle had horrible breath and when I first got him a lot of his teeth were black and had tarter on them. Also, after you get them clean and continue to brush their teeth every day, your dog will probably not need a dental for the rest of their lives. It’s worth it.

  13. We had Sampson’s teeth cleaned in December. He is a big guy weighing in at just about 90 pounds. We had the bloodwork done the night before to insure there was no infections before anesthesia. When we asked for an estimate for the cleaning it was around $400 without any extractions. My vet’s office gave me a full quote with the low and high ends of the procedure. We ended up having a couple of growths removed while he was under so our total bill was $794.00.

    I didn’t even comparison shop because I know my vet, I love my vet and I trust my vet and I didn’t want to take a chance with someone I had never used before.

    I think my vet was fairly reasonable for the area we are in. In New Hampshire my sister could have her little dog’s teeth cleaned for about $130.

  14. Check with groomers, they tend to be much cheaper, We have a place here in Monroe WA called Angels Among Us where they charge 15 bucks.

    1. Good suggestion. They don’t go to the groomer because I clip their nails and it’s easy to give them a bath so I never thought of that. I am not great at clipping their nails as often as I should so I have thought about taking them m to a groomer a couple times of month. Between my couple times a month and the groomer, their nails would be cut plenty often. Maybe I could just take them to a groomer for nail trims and a tooth brushing.

  15. Just a heads up: February is National Pet Dental Health Month! Many vet clinics give a discount during it!

    Our clinic dental prices start at $230, excluding pre-surg bloodwork and radiographs (optional) and extractions if needed.

  16. My dog has to get his teeth cleaned soon. It’s actually his 2nd time. The first was a few years ago when we first adopted him. Since we’re not too good with keeping up on his brushing (he puts up a bit of a fight), but his health is always on our minds, he’ll be getting a cleaning soon.
    I think my vet is a bit pricey (BUT very good and knowledgeable) and our area has a high cost for everything, but we have a quote for just over $500. So much…the first time we had a discount because we adopted him and they work with our local shelter and give discounts on new adoptions, but this time is going to be far more pricey (the full $500 or so). Although, I may check what Chap’s Mom mentioned about February and see if I can get a little discount!!! <- Thanks for posting that!! I do know my vet does run promotions for monthly health things and such, so we'll see.
    But yeah, $500 is the estimate (23 lb dog) and it will be more if they find they need to do any extractions or treatments. This is in Maryland, a little north of DC.
    The quote I got included everything (hospitalization, IV, injection, anesthesia, etc…). It may be a bit pricier than some other vets, but he's been going to this vet since we got him and we trust them. He's been under before and came out fine and I think they need to be put under to to the really thorough cleanings.
    Anyways…was just searching the web for threads on this and came across this post! 🙂

    1. Thanks for sharing your experience. A $500 starting price is probably the steepest I have heard of but the extra $100 or so is not that much if you really trust the vet and they have experience with putting your dog under before.

      I am going to check with my vet to see if they are offering a dental discount in February too. As with yours, I don’t think my vet gives discounts much so I am not holding my breath.

      1. Yes, so steep! 🙁 I do think they are on the pricey end, but they’re a great vet office. Also, a vet nearby may have specials and lower prices so I’ll have to do some research and look around. I like my vet, but I’m not made of money. I know, wish there were more discounts. Fingers crossed! 🙂

  17. I’m in an Atlanta suburb and Feb/Mar is dental health month here. I just got an estimate today when i took my Yorkipoo for his annual physical exam. For teeth cleaning it will be
    an estimated total $501.33. That includes the blood work, the anesthesia, the cleaning, the IV fluids, and the intrapoperative medications. Extractions range from $29.50 (minor tooth) to $109.50 (major tooth). Then a gingival flap $139.50 must be done for each major tooth removed. Because it is dental health month I’ll receive 20% off of the total, so that helps.
    Additional anesthesia $33.00 for each 15 minutes. Antibiotics range from $48 to $68.

    Whew, it’s expensive. I do brush my dog’s teeth fairly regularly but he is still getting plaque build up that i can see, and redness around his gum line. After this I am going to be more diligent about brushing his teeth 3-4 x weekly. It’s always a risk giving anesthesia to pets, just as it is to humans. Hopefully I will be able to keep his teeth clean enough in the future so as to avoid this. He is 6 now and this will be his first teeth cleaning with anesthesia.

    1. Thanks for sharing your research. Since Atlanta is a major city I am not surprised to hear a price in the high-average. You didn’t mention X-rays. Do you know if they were included or would be a separate cost?

  18. I’m glad you posted this (and that I read all these comments!). My vet’s office doesn’t offer any discounts in February for Pet Dental Health Month (I tried getting on that bandwagon last year, but they said they don’t do that…ugh!). Anyway, I actually took Riley in for a cleaning last year in February, but after I’d left her there, the vet called up and said that her teeth looked really good and she actually didn’t need her teeth cleaned. They said she could wait at least another year, maybe 18 months before she needed a cleaning. She’ll be 5 years old on March 18th, and has never had her teeth cleaned. Her vet told me last fall that her teeth look good, but she’d recommend having her teeth cleaned sometime in 2014. Now I just need to save up for it and hope she doesn’t have any extractions! 🙂

  19. I just got an estimate for my little 8 year old Shi Tzu, and it was $600 to $900 ,depending on extractions. I am outside of Atlantic City and our vet care seems pretty expensive. We can’t clean his teeth at all as he is a stubborn little crazy dog. They don’t have enough of a face/nose to grab and lift up the mouth like a big dog.

  20. If you sign up for the Banfield Wellness plan at Petsmart, 1 dental cleaning is included in the price, plus you get vaccinations, unlimited free office visits, discounts on meds. I currently pay $383.88/ year (paid monthly) for this plan.. The vet was going to charge me $350 just for a cleaning, so the plans definitely saved me a lot of money, plus i like being able to take him to the vet for what ever with no additional cost.

    1. Wow. That does sound like a good deal. I have pet health insurance bit that only saves you money if something really costly goes wrong. Gretel did habe a 2k procedure for something unrelated to teeth it helped pay for.

  21. During the months of February and March, our vet ran a dental special ($30 discount) in honor of dental month. Our total came out to $168, and the description of charges included:

    -Pre-anesthetic exam
    -Chemistry and CBC panel (blood work)
    -IV fluids, catheter
    -Propofol injection
    -Ultrasonic scale and polish
    -Courtesy nail trim and bath

    I believe they originally quoted/advertised $138-188 in their office, depending on the size and type of the pet (cat/dog). My dog (18.5 lb rescue) also had a tooth extraction performed during his previous dental cleaning (found during the exam) a couple years ago, and was charged around $50-60 on top of the dental cleaning.

    It’s shocking to see how much prices vary in different areas of the country. I am a Oregon native currently living in a suburb of Las Vegas, Nevada, and I was pleasantly surprised with the cost of pet ownership here. The annual pet license for a spayed/neutered dog is $6, and vaccinations run anywhere from $10-$25, depending on the vaccine (this is cheaper than some low cost vaccination clinics I’ve come across in the PNW). The past few years here have been a nice break for my wallet, but we will be back to paying prices similar to what you are paying in Seattle when we move back to Portland.

    1. Thanks for sharing the info. That is surprising affordable for such a big city. I do notice that your list of what is included in the cleaning cost does not have dental x-rays. Before I started my research, I assumed that professional dental cleaning with anesthesia always included it. That is the argument people use to denounce anesthesia-free teeth cleaning – no x-rays and that is the only SURE way to can tell that there is no dental disease. The things I am learning about teeth cleaning are very interesting…..and my blog is primarily about hiking and being active with your dog 🙂 The way I see it, if your dog is not healthy then they can’t be active.

      1. I had never heard of anesthesia-free cleaning until I read your blog post, so it’s definitely something for us to consider next time, since the drowsiness/lethargy from the anesthesia takes a day or two to wear off on my little guy. My dog had a set of dental x-rays done when I first adopted him that came back okay, so I didn’t see the need to repeat it.

        Your blog definitely makes me miss summers in the PNW! Thanks for sharing!

  22. It depends where you go and what they do. One of the clinics I use gives a quote of $800-$900. I interned at a AAHA certified clinic that quoted $800-1,000. Why so much? The latter intubates, and uses a breathing machine, uses a heater, ekg monitoring machine, iv fluids, an assistant to monitor, and checks vitals afterwards every hour. They also take care of smaller details like lubricating eyes. Where I work now is around $250 w bloodwork mini plus $30 exam. They are injected and popped on a grate over the sink where their teeth are scaled. Then they are tossed in a cage where they sit until the owner picks them up. Sometimes they get a towel. This is fine for young animals but older or special needs may require fluids and monitoring. Keep in mind that an assistant that makes $8 to $10/hr or UVT that makes up to $14 does this. Not a doctor.

    1. Oh this is Midwest and xrays are not done at even the nicer clinics unless there is a heart condition etc. I believe one clinic in the area has a dental x ray machine…never heard of cleaning w out anesthesia?

    2. Thanks for the insight. I did find that you get what you pay for. The cheaper clinics do the bare minimum…but I didn’t realize that meant “being plopped on a grate over the sink”. Yikes!

    3. For my small dog (wt 5lbs). My recent vet gave me a quote of $1,200 and that included
      General Anesthesia
      Local Pain Block
      Complete Dental Exrays
      Lab Work pre and post
      Dental Cleaning
      Pain Medicines
      Intravenous fluids during procedure
      $150 for each tooth extraction

      Plus mydog is 13 years old. Not sure she could handle that surgery

      1. Thanks for sharing Mitch. Yours in one of the few quotes I have seen that includes X-rays. Most of the $600-ish quotes don’t…so it is revealing to get a feel for how much adding x-rays might increase the price.

  23. Thanks for the information. My dog is getting his teeth cleaned, and the price seemed a little high, now I see it is just average. Now I’m just crossing my fingers that they don’t call me telling me that he needs more work done!

  24. I just had my pug’s teeth cleaned. With anesthesia, 1 simple extraction and take home pain meds it was $365. I was asked to come in the week before the cleaning for a blood panel. It was $85. So, for a total of $450 my boy is set for a good while. He is six years old and had begun to have tartar build up which leads to other problems. From past experience with gum disease and heart issues in other dogs, we realized that you can pay now or pay later. This cleaning will hopefully avoid pain and illness for my little guy in the future. Yes, it is expensive, but you have to plan for things like that if you want to take good care of your companions. I love my Toby!

    1. Thanks for sharing your experience. Part of the reason I wrote this post is to help people know what it will cost so they can start planning…as you said 🙂

  25. Check you out! I just googled “cost of sedation dog teeth cleaning” and this link was at the top of the list! I’m glad I found it, too, because the vet told me that Flash needs to have it done. They checked his teeth while he was sedated for surgery and his bacteria levels are high. She quoted me about 120 bucks, barring any extractions. Looks like that’s a great price. For that price, I’ll get him and his sister both in over the next couple of months.

  26. I got my neutered when he was three and since they were already putting him under they only charged 1/2 for the cleaning. So I paid $150 but it is usually $300. I bought toothpaste from the vet and a little rubber cover with bristles that I just put on my finger. I try at least once a week to use it. The vet told me that just the enzymes from the tooth paste will help with decay.

  27. My vet just told me my dog needed it today. He quoted me $90 total. Another dentist in the area quoted $180 to $250.

        1. Hmmmm. I was about to load the dogs in the car and hit the road but I think that is a little far for me to travel. Ha, ha. Lucky you to live in an area where it is so affordable. Thanks for reporting in from where you live. I am trying to get the costs from all over the country.

  28. I must be lucky. I live in Muscle Shoals, AL and my Shih tzu had a dental appointment today. She has never been to vet so she needed some shots and check ups as well.

    Heartworm Test $27.
    Rabies Shot $11.40
    Intestinal Parasite test $16.00
    Exam $0.00
    Sedation $25.00
    Teeth Cleaning $30.00
    Flouride Treatment $7.50
    Brush/Paste kit $13.66
    Amoxicillin $17.50
    6 Extraction (two were large and abscessed) $42.00

    Total was $192.86

    She is much happier today. I’m sure her mouth is a little sore but it has to be wonderful not having those teeth bothering her. Her breath is also nice and fresh again!

      1. I thought so. Maybe it’s an Alabama thing. I lived in Texas for years and it would’ve cost me 4 times this amount in Houston.

  29. I just took my dog to a dentist that specializes in canine dentistry. He’s been the president of at least one veterinary dental association and I’ve seen his name in many places in regards to being an animal dentistry specialist. Long story short, he’s a well respected expert + my dog has had a root canal there before and we liked the experience and felt she was in good hands. We’re in Denver. The quote for just the regular cleaning with xrays was $1,300 on the low end. As it turns out, she will need 12 extractions, so the price is now $2,400 – $2,900!! I wish I had some of your prices, but I also couldn’t say no to giving my girl the best quality of life she can have in her later years. Now she will have clean teeth and I will be broke 🙂

    1. ….but your heard will be full of love. Ha ha.

      Geez, that is a LOT but it sounds like this guy really knows what he is doing. I wish more pet insurance companies covered dental work. When I signed up for Trupanion, they didn’t. It’s SO common I am not sure any insurance company would stay in business if they did cover it. I should double check though because Trupanion is improving their coverage all of the time. I couldn’t imagine if I had to pay that much for both Chester AND Gretel.

  30. Very informative post! I am taking my 7 and 9 year old pitties (60lbs) for their first cleanings this week. This is the first year the vet said they needed them because they are getting older. In Tualatin, Oregon (13 miles SW of Portland), we’re paying $210-240 per dog not including extractions or post-surgery meds. I thought that was very reasonable.

    1. From everything I have researched and heard that sounds pretty reasonable – low average maybe. Thanks for letting us know how much it costs where you live!

  31. Hello All,
    I have my dog on the plan that is offered at Banfield Pet Hospital inside the Petsmart’s and I pay about $420.00 a year which I pay in monthly installments. That includes 2 comprehensive health check ups a year and 1 complete dental cleaning a year. It also includes unlimited visits. I only pay for any flea meds and any other meds she may need if she is sick as well as any other lab work or xrays if she is sick.

    1. I’ve heard of the Banfield plan before. It certainly does sound like a great deal. I live in a City where the nearest one is 30 minutes away in average traffic. There are 5 vets closer to me than that. I guess I pay for convenience 🙂

      1. I have an upcoming appointment at a local Banfield for my dog. The cleaning is $300 here in Fresno., including anesthesia, blood work. This is the regular cost. (Not the wellness plan.) After doing more research since making the appointment, I have learned that x-Rays are critical to diagnosis of disease. Tartar-free teeth can belie gum disease below. I will call Banfield tomorrow to find out if they do x-rays. The cost estimate does not show x-Rays itemized. Plus, extractions are not included in the package . A large “carnassial” extraction is quoted at $227.87 . If on the wellness plan, it’d be a 15% discount off that, so still very pricey. Smaller teeth, such as incisors, are quoted at $44.57 per extraction. These also are discounted 15% if on the plan. I think their fees for the extractions are very high based on what I’ve read here. Cost would balloon up quickly with any extractions, even small teeth. And even if on the Wellness plan. As I mentioned, extractions are not included if you get the cleaning as part of the wellness plan, but are discounted 15% off their fee.

        Plus I have another dog who needs a cleaning — she’s a Pekingese and presents challenges because of her flat face/crowded little mouth. I think I am going to search for a doc who has worked extensively on the flat- faced breeds.

        1. Hi Jane. From what I hear, it’s not uncommon for dogs to have 3-10 teeth removed during a cleaning. With those extraction prices, it sounds like the Banfield cost could be comparable to the average… especially if X-rays are not factored into that cost. It is what it is though right? It needs to be done. I hate the feeling of having to “bargain hunt” for these things but, in my book, that’s better than not getting it done at all. Good luck to you guys!

  32. I have a wonderful rescue boy that was four years old Nov. 1, 2014. I have had his teeth checked by my vet of almost 20 years. She said his teeth are a 1++ grade. I want to have his teeth cleaned but was just quoted by and outside dentist $95 for a consultation and $700 minimum to “thousnads of dollars” for a cleaning. My boy is a Shelty/Aussie/Bichon/ mix of about 32 pounds. He is in great health, walks about a mile every day, plays happily, and eats like a horse. I am in the central part of Houston and thought cleaning was like $400 – but “THOUSANDS”? I called back to my vet and her assistant said range usually $1000-$2500. This can’t be right.

    Any body have suggestions? Again he teeth were graded in May 2014 at 1++. Thanks

    1. Hi There. It sounds like your Pup’s teeth are in great shape. I don’t plan to get Chester and Gretel’s teeth cleaned under anesthesia until the vet recommends it. It IS the only way the vet can do X-rays though and be totally sure there is no issue under the gum line. Good for you for wanting to be proactive.

      A $700 minimum does seem a little steep but is not totally outside of the range of what I have been hearing. The “thousands” quote is probably if your dog needs a lot of extractions. It sounds like your pup’s teeth are pretty healthy so I would not expect that. Still, you wouldn’t want to take him in and end up with a nasty surprise. Most vets will call the owner first before doing extractions so I would ask any vet if they do that before you take him in. Outside of cleaning under anesthesia, your options for keeping his teeth clean are anesthesia-free dental cleaning, brushing, and pet dental products that you use at home. Anesthesia-free cleaning isn’t available everywhere but Houston is a big city so it is likely that you could find someone. That usually runs about $200. Be sure whoever you are using has been trained specifically for pet dental cleaning. The guy who does ours is an actual vet. You can read about our experience here: http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/i-dont-brush-my-dogs-teeth-i-did-this-instead/

  33. Geez, I guess I was spoiled with my last vet! They charged $90 for a teeth cleaning and extracting 2 teeth. I took my chiweenie dog, Pepper, in today to get an estimate $550 for the same thing. I was a little taken back by the price difference there.

  34. I am just shocked at some of the prices I see here. Maybe if you looked for a low cost Spay and Neuter Clinic online you might find one in your areas. I use one that is in Pittsburgh and I know they have several more throughout the U.S. There main office is in AZ. And they do excellent work. My Morkie was neutered, micro chipped, nails cut, teeth cleaned with one extraction and was given antibiotics and pain meds. My entire bill was $205.00. Now my Yorkie, who’s adult teeth came in without any enamel on them, is about to get his teeth cleaned plus have multiple extractions. Bloodwork was $86. The cleaning and extraction of 10-12 teeth was estimated to be between $250 and $300. So that’s under $400 including bloodwork with 12 extractions. He will have anesthesia. And I forgot to mention he will go home with antibiotics and pain meds which will take me just over the $400 range.

    1. Great suggestion Melanie. Thanks. I’ve heard quotes around $400 but that hasn’t included extractions. Sounds like you found a great deal.

  35. I live in Charlotte, NC and had my 9-year old 90-pound Golden’s teeth cleaned today at Spay Neuter Charlotte. We had never had this done previously, as it had not been recommended by our vet. It was $180. I had the required blood work done in advance last month when we went for our annual wellness visit, and the charge for the blood work was either $25 or $30. No extractions were needed. What was so impressive was the low cost, while we received the same great level of care that we have been receiving from our (more expensive) vet’s office of the past nine years. As Melanie said in her post, antibiotics and pain meds will be provided if extractions are necessary. If you live in the Charlotte, NC area, I highly recommend them. If not, you could do as Melanie suggested, and find out if there is a spay-neuter facility in your area.

  36. Has anyone used Greenwood Animal Hospital? I called them today and their price is extremely low in comparison to other vets I have contacted here in Seattle. In addition, I inquired about take home Rx for my little guy and was told he wouldn’t need it unless there is an extraction.
    He has been getting his teeth cleaned since he was 1 yrs of age and is always in pain afterwards. I’m nervous to use them

    1. Hi AC. The Greenwood Animal Hospital is one of the clinics I called. Their quote was very low. I don’t know anyone who has taken their dog there but there are a lot of reviews on Yelp for them. If I remember right, people reported a budget experience for a budget price. I would suggest checking the reviews out there.

  37. Thanks JW
    I was got nervous when the receptionist had to continue putting me on hold to be able to answer my questions properly. Yeah I think I’ll bypass this place. Saving money isn’t everything

    1. Yes, that’s right. For some it may be one of the only options but if you can afford a little extra I would definitely suggest going somewhere that makes you feel at ease with it all. Putting your pup under is kind of a big deal…at least to me. Good luck!

  38. Pingback: Why You Should Brush Your Dog's Teeth
  39. We’re facing this very issue in upstate NY today, 10 year old 90 pound lab currently at the vet’s office having his cleaning. Our quoted price for the cleaning is $761 plus the $289 I spent 3 weeks ago for the senior blood panel combo to be sure anethesia was not a problem. Got that dog needs 2 teeth pulled phone call a few minutes ago to the tune of an additional $600 plus they see a small growth that could be something or could be nothing under his tongue that they’d like to biopsy.

    Ok I get that they are a business but good lord my pets are cared for very well, cut a little slack on the charges doc and not the 10% off you’re giving me for pet dental awareness month.

    Perhaps the federal government should offer a deduction for pet medical care providing you can show proof of the costs? I know people with children using tax refunds for trips to Disney, my tax refund will be spent keeping my “child” healthy.

    Sorry kind of went on a rant there but as I’m sure you’ll understand the cost is a bit overwhelming.

    1. I sure do understand. While the medical technology available for pets has grown, so has the cost. I do pay for pet insurance out of pocked but I am pretty sure it doesn’t cover dental work. I know it doesn’t cover cleanings anyway.

      I am glad your pup will be taken care of though. A ouchie mouth is no fun 🙁

  40. My 13 year old chihuahua just had 6 teeth pulled today. My original estimate was almost $700, including extractions. Value Pet Clinic in Shoreline charges extractions by the hour ($250/hour, but pro-rated if that is your case), whereas other places might charge per tooth. In the end, 6 teeth were pulled and it cost me $584. This total included the initial exam, blood work to see if he could handle the anesthesia, the anesthesia, 6 extractions, and pain meds to take home.

    1. Thanks for the “real world” report. Value Pet Clinic is one I surveyed for this and their base price seemed to be about $450. That’s great they charge for extractions by the hour and it was so affordable. I hope your pup is feeling better now.

  41. One of my dachshunds has has nasty breath and her teeth would get really bad fairly quickly. I’ve had her teeth cleaned twice and one of those times she had teeth extracted. I can’t imagine doing that to my dog two or three times per year. Not only is it costly, but not healthy for the dog to be put under for the procedure. I have found, and I have to admit I was skeptical, that raw feeding my dachshund is the way to go, not only for their teeth, but for their health. There is a specific FB page dedicated to Raw Feeding Dachshunds, amongst a wealth of information on the subject on the internet. It’s worth the research and consideration, in the name of our fur-babies!

    1. Hi Kris. You mean that you belong to a raw feeding group specifically for Dachshunds? I belong to a raw group but it’s very general. I’d be interested to know which one so I could check it out. Feel free to come back and leave a link here.I feed Chester and Gretel primarily raw food (lax on the treats and when we travel) but, unfortunately, it hasn’t totally cleaned their teeth that. The vet hasn’t recommended a cleaning yet though.I know that dental health is important but there is no way I would put my dog under anesthesia several times a year and less it was something very life threatening.

      1. Hi Jessica!
        Yes, there is a dachshund specific raw fed group on Facebook called Raw Fed Dachshunds. You’ll need to “ask” to join as it is a closed group. Good people and a ton of great advice about raw feeding from people that have been doing it for a long time.
        Best of luck to you in your journey of raw. Maybe I’ll see you there! 🙂
        Kris Clark Gilliland Privett is my Facebook. Friend me if you like!

        1. Do you belong to “Raw Fed Dogs – A learning and sharing group”?
          I belong to that group as well. Your dog’s names sound familiar to me.

          1. No. I belong to Raw Dog Food Chat but am not active there. I asked to join the raw fed Dachshund group so maybe you can put in a good word for me 🙂 I see one of my friends belongs to it too. I must have heard about it before from her but forgot. Glad you reminded me.

  42. I was playing with my dachshund and one of his chew toys recently. He twisted around with the toy in his mouth when I saw a tooth fly out of his mouth. I’ve always heard it is really bad for a dog to lose a tooth. How do I keep him healthy as I wait for our appointment with the veterinarian?

  43. The best post I’ve found for the Seattle area. My vet just quoted me 500 for the cleaning + 100 plus per extraction! I checked the SPCA and Humane society for other options and were surprised they didn’t offer services. I’m wondering if you took your balls of fur to any of these vets mentioned and what you thought of the response. I don’t want to cheap out on the cost and get a damaged pup in return. thanks for posting any information. Lola thanks you too!

    1. Hi Francine. Although the price per extraction certainly seems high, the base fee seems like the high average. I haven’t taken Chester or Gretel to get their teeth cleaned under anesthesia yet (our vet has not recommended it. I would feel confident taking them to the Clinic on Shoreline (closer to our house) or Federal Way though.

  44. These are the prices I just got this morning for teeth cleaning for my almost 4 year old Yorkie.

    $220.00 to $350.00 depending if any teeth need pulled, but if not, 220.00
    $38.00 for Exam. They are in Cypress CA.

  45. I use a mobile vet called Budget Vet here in GA for dentals. They mostly do spay/neuters, but will do shots, and dentals also. They charged me $130 and that included extractions. Post dental antibiotic was $14 extra. They will require that your dog be up to date on rabies, so that will cost another $15 if you can’t bring proof, and will recommend a full blood panel if the dog is over 6 years old for an extra $65. Spays are $65, and Neuter is $45. I have a regular vet in town that charges close to $400 for the same procedure.

  46. I just had my 10 year old Wheaten Terrier’s teeth cleaned for the first time last week. We took him to Helping Hands in Richmond, Va. The cost is the same for all dogs. $175 for cleaning plus $50 for optional blood work. For $225, my dog’s teeth were cleaned, 6 were extracted, and he received 5 days of pain meds and a weeks worth of antibiotics. The cost is always the same and it includes any, and all, extractions required.

    1. That is a great deal. Thanks for sharing that information. Hopefully it will help someone in your area (I wish *I* lived there. Ha, ha).

  47. I’ll be taking our older Boston Terrier in for teeth cleaning, soon. We’ll go to our regular vet, Algona Animal Hospital in Algona, WA. In April 2015, I took my mother-in-law’s dog there for a cleaning. He’s a bigger mixed-breed (King Charles Cavalier Spaniel/Burnese Mountain Dog – I know, crazy huh?) about 55 pounds. Anyway, because we are “regulars”, we get the “Good Clients” discount. The total amount we paid was $195. That included all anesthesia, IV & fluids, cleaning, flouride treatment, an extraction, antibiotic injection and a nail trim. The discount amounted to $315. That’s huge! To me, it’s worth a bit of a drive. All of our dogs love going there, in fact get super excited when we get to the parking lot. There’s only one doc, they’re open 7 days a week and don’t charge extra on the weekends.

    1. Wow. That’s a great deal. Thanks for sharing. I’ll definitely put this place on the list for when cleaning is recommended for Gretel’s teeth.

  48. Thank you for all of this information. Sometimes I wish we could just add pets onto our insurance plans (am I right?). It is very pricey when they get bad decay for sure!

  49. I had a pug with diabetes and oral health issues who required annual dental cleanings (with extractions) in the Buffalo, New York area. The vet I took her to charged between $900-$1,100.00, depending on the number of extractions (including anesthesia, blood-work, X-rays, post op medicine, observation, etc). I have another pug who is scheduled for his first cleaning with a different vet. They have quoted $866-$890.00, including 1-2 minor teeth extractions. Based on the prices in these comments, I think that I am way overpaying, but I hate switching vets. Once I find a vet that I trust, I generally stay with that office unless I move or they close.

  50. i am a senior citizen and can” t afford to pay the price to get my dogs teeth cleaned what is a person to do

    1. Gosh, Robert. That’s a tough position to be in but I understand. If your pup is having definite dental issues, and you live in a medium to big city, I would call around to some animal rescues in the area. They may know of some free or discounted veterinary programs for low income people in your area. If your dog is not showing signs of tooth/gum problems then I wouldn’t stress out about it too much. If they just need to be cleaned, you can try brushing them yourself or rubbing a paste of baking soda and coconut oil on them with your finger. That can help get them cleaner than they are.

    2. They have aid for seniors…reach out to your vet ..if they dont help contact aspca or Humane Society n tell them you need assistance for medical treatment for your baby

  51. I just received an estimate from my vet in NYC. $800-$1000 for cleaning alone for my senior Bichon. I thought it was a bit overpriced, but from reading many responses from 4 years ago, I’m thinking it’s in the ballpark.

    1. Hi Cindy. Yes, that does sound reasonable. I haven’t found that dental prices change a whole lot over the years. If anything, they slightly increase so a quote from your area left 4 years ago is probably still relevant.

  52. I have a 15yr old dachshund, on Monday April 23, 2018 he had a dental cleaning. He ended up having 8 teeth removed. Total bill $150.00, I said to the lady you forgot to add the extractions and antibiotic. She stated the price included the extractions and the antibiotics! Thank goodness for small town rural vets???.

  53. Just got my dogs teeth cleaned in SW Florida.2 teeth had needed extraction.Breakdown of bill follows.Dental Clean special $325
    Isoflurane anesthetic add 1/2 hour(due to mass removal leg)$173
    pack and supplies $13
    mass removal leg $16
    carpofen inj $37
    dental nerve block $37
    dental gingival flap $$62
    suture pack $18
    extraction pak $26
    ext double root $51
    ext triple root $92
    Pre-surgical ecg screen $48
    Total $899 5 year old lab

  54. My dog is really needing a teeth cleaning. Thank you for pointing out that in my search to find a place I should make sure and ask about how the vet will regulate my animal’s body temperature. I’ll have to keep this in mind as I search for the best vet in my area.

  55. Reno NV 2019
    Teeth cleaning with 2 extractions (one 3-rooted tooth and one 2-rooted tooth) and anesthesia. Blood work was done separately and is not included in this cost.

    Total was about 680.00

  56. I know that avarage salary in the USA is higher than in Poland, but these prices are crazy. In Poland vets are better than GPs and scaling costs 30$. 300$ for scaling? … o.O

    1. Unfortunately, most medical care – for humans and dogs alike – is very expensive in the USA. There is a thing called “medical tourism” that people do – they go on vacation to another country where the cost for the medical procedure is less expensive and pay to have it done there. In some cases, it’s still cheaper than having it done in the USA and paying the deductible.

  57. I never knew that most vets recommend having your dog’s teeth cleaned every six months. My wife and I have a 2-year-old Goldendoodle that has never had his teeth cleaned and we were starting to notice some plaque building up around his gums. We will certainly remember this article as we look for someone to help us clean his teeth.

  58. I have an appointment with my animal’s vet next week in Canton, Michigan. They said the teeth cleaning starts at $350. This includes the anesthesia and the pain medication or antibiotics afterward. This does NOT cover any extractions. My dog is a bichon poodle mix and just turned 3. His right upper k9 baby tooth never fell out and therefore gunk gets stuck in the deposit between the baby k9 and adult k9. They are going to pull the baby k9 tooth, but they don’t know how much the extraction will be until they do x-rays and extract it to access the level of difficulty. They said it could be anywhere from $60-200 for the extraction. So I’m looking at about $400-$500 total. I can update after the procedure to be more accurate.

    1. Hi Hannah. Thank you for the report. My Summit also had a baby tooth that did not fall out so it was removed when she was spayed. I am not sure what the exact additional cost was but I know it wasn’t a simple extraction. $60-$200 sounds reasonable to me, although $200 does seem to be on the very high end.

  59. We take our chiweenie/dachsyhuahua everyplace we travel and get his teeth done abroad where it is much cheaper. He has terrible plaque that develops very quickly, no matter what we do for prevention. In Prague, for complete bloodwork and EKG the day before, teeth cleaning plus extraction, is around $150-$200. Yesterday in Costa Rica the vet cleaned them on a house call. No blood work or EKG, and it was $85 for “the worst plaque I ever saw, even on the inside of the teeth.”

    1. Wow. Thanks for the tip! I know “medical vacations” are popular with humans but I never thought about combining veterinary care with a dog-friendly vacation. Now you’ve got me thinking 🙂

  60. This is a great article! Thank you for publishing it. I just got a quote for my GSD and they want $550 – $880 on the eastern shore of MD for a cleaning. We are nervous about it as she is almost 9 years old. We are very concerned about anesthesia, along with the horrible price increase. It used to cost about $200. to get a dog’s teeth cleaned at this vet. We are going to try Scale Off and see if it helps. Our male is 10 yrs old and has beautiful teeth but he is a voracious chewer…carrots, apples, toys, sticks, anything he can crunch (not shoes, furniture or anything he shouldn’t – he is a GSD, he knows the difference).

    1. Good luck with the cleaning. I was very nervous when my 10 year old Dachshund Gretel had to be put under for a cleaning and extraction. There were no ill affects though.

    1. I would expect them to be higher now but my resarch says that 1) the cost is still highly varied and 2) these cost reports still generally fall into the range I stated.

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