How Much Does a Pet Dental Cleaning Cost? (2026)
Dental disease affects 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by age 3 — yet dental cleaning remains one of the most delayed vet procedures due to sticker shock. At $250–$700 for a full cleaning under anesthesia, it's not cheap, but untreated dental disease leads to extractions, infections, and organ damage that cost far more.
Cost at a Glance
Dog
$300–$700
Private vet, national avg
Cat
$250–$600
Private vet, national avg
Low-cost clinic
$100–$200
SPCA / Humane Society
CA / NY
$330–$950
25–35% above avg
What Affects the Cost
- ▸ Anesthesia is required and included: Unlike human dental cleanings, a thorough pet dental cleaning requires full anesthesia so every tooth surface — including below the gumline — can be cleaned safely. The anesthesia cost is typically bundled into the quoted price.
- ▸ Pre-anesthetic bloodwork adds $80–$150: Most vets require or strongly recommend bloodwork before anesthesia, especially for pets over 5. This is billed separately and not included in the dental cleaning quote.
- ▸ Extractions cost extra: If the vet finds teeth that need removal during the cleaning, extractions add $150–$1,200 per tooth depending on complexity. Always ask for a worst-case estimate.
- ▸ How often: The AVMA recommends annual dental cleanings for most pets. Dogs prone to dental disease (small breeds, flat-faced breeds) may need cleanings every 6–12 months.
- ▸ Cats are slightly cheaper than dogs — smaller body means less anesthesia and shorter procedure time, putting cats at $250–$600 vs dogs at $300–$700.
Cost by State
National average adjusted by state cost-of-living index. Urban areas run ~30% higher than suburban; rural ~25% lower.
| State | Dog | Cat | vs. Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $246–$574 | $205–$492 | -18% |
| Alaska | $375–$875 | $313–$750 | +25% |
| Arizona | $285–$665 | $238–$570 | -5% |
| Arkansas | $240–$560 | $200–$480 | -20% |
| California | $405–$945 | $338–$810 | +35% |
| Colorado | $330–$770 | $275–$660 | +10% |
| Connecticut | $375–$875 | $313–$750 | +25% |
| Delaware | $315–$735 | $263–$630 | +5% |
| Florida | $300–$700 | $250–$600 | 0% |
| Georgia | $270–$630 | $225–$540 | -10% |
| Hawaii | $420–$980 | $350–$840 | +40% |
| Idaho | $270–$630 | $225–$540 | -10% |
| Illinois | $315–$735 | $263–$630 | +5% |
| Indiana | $264–$616 | $220–$528 | -12% |
| Iowa | $255–$595 | $213–$510 | -15% |
| Kansas | $255–$595 | $213–$510 | -15% |
| Kentucky | $255–$595 | $213–$510 | -15% |
| Louisiana | $255–$595 | $213–$510 | -15% |
| Maine | $300–$700 | $250–$600 | 0% |
| Maryland | $345–$805 | $288–$690 | +15% |
| Massachusetts | $390–$910 | $325–$780 | +30% |
| Michigan | $270–$630 | $225–$540 | -10% |
| Minnesota | $300–$700 | $250–$600 | 0% |
| Mississippi | $234–$546 | $195–$468 | -22% |
| Missouri | $255–$595 | $213–$510 | -15% |
| Montana | $276–$644 | $230–$552 | -8% |
| Nebraska | $264–$616 | $220–$528 | -12% |
| Nevada | $315–$735 | $263–$630 | +5% |
| New Hampshire | $330–$770 | $275–$660 | +10% |
| New Jersey | $375–$875 | $313–$750 | +25% |
| New Mexico | $264–$616 | $220–$528 | -12% |
| New York | $390–$910 | $325–$780 | +30% |
| North Carolina | $276–$644 | $230–$552 | -8% |
| North Dakota | $264–$616 | $220–$528 | -12% |
| Ohio | $270–$630 | $225–$540 | -10% |
| Oklahoma | $246–$574 | $205–$492 | -18% |
| Oregon | $330–$770 | $275–$660 | +10% |
| Pennsylvania | $300–$700 | $250–$600 | 0% |
| Rhode Island | $330–$770 | $275–$660 | +10% |
| South Carolina | $264–$616 | $220–$528 | -12% |
| South Dakota | $255–$595 | $213–$510 | -15% |
| Tennessee | $264–$616 | $220–$528 | -12% |
| Texas | $276–$644 | $230–$552 | -8% |
| Utah | $285–$665 | $238–$570 | -5% |
| Vermont | $315–$735 | $263–$630 | +5% |
| Virginia | $315–$735 | $263–$630 | +5% |
| Washington | $345–$805 | $288–$690 | +15% |
| West Virginia | $240–$560 | $200–$480 | -20% |
| Wisconsin | $276–$644 | $230–$552 | -8% |
| Wyoming | $270–$630 | $225–$540 | -10% |
Data: AVMA fee surveys, BLS cost-of-living data. Ranges reflect typical private practice prices — low-cost clinics and university teaching hospitals charge significantly less.
Common Questions
How much does a pet dental cleaning cost in 2026? ▼
A professional pet dental cleaning at a private vet costs $300–$700 for dogs and $250–$600 for cats in 2026. This price covers anesthesia, scaling (removing tartar above and below the gumline), polishing, and a full oral exam. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork ($80–$150) is typically billed separately and is required or recommended for pets over 5 years old. If extractions are needed, expect $150–$1,200 per tooth on top of the cleaning fee. Low-cost clinics and humane societies offer cleanings for $100–$200, though availability varies by location.
Why does my pet need anesthesia for a dental cleaning? ▼
Anesthesia allows the vet to clean below the gumline — where most dental disease originates — safely and thoroughly. A conscious pet cannot hold still long enough for subgingival scaling, and probing each tooth for pockets and disease is impossible without complete stillness. Anesthesia-free dental cleanings only clean the visible crown surface, leaving the most disease-prone areas untreated. For healthy adult pets, modern anesthetic protocols are extremely safe. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork identifies any organ function issues before anesthesia is administered.
How often does a dog or cat need a dental cleaning? ▼
The AVMA and AVDC recommend annual professional dental cleanings for most dogs and cats. Small breed dogs (under 20 lbs) and flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian cats are prone to faster tartar buildup and may need cleanings every 6–12 months. Large breed dogs often go 12–18 months between cleanings. Daily tooth brushing significantly reduces cleaning frequency — pets whose owners brush their teeth regularly may only need cleanings every 2–3 years.
What happens if I skip my pet's dental cleaning? ▼
Untreated dental disease progresses from tartar buildup to gingivitis to periodontal disease to tooth root abscesses. Beyond mouth pain, bacteria from dental infections can spread to the heart, kidneys, and liver — contributing to organ disease over time. By age 3, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some degree of dental disease. A pet in dental pain typically eats less and may become withdrawn or irritable, but rarely shows obvious signs. The cost of extractions, antibiotics, and treatment for dental abscesses typically runs $600–$3,000 — multiples of what a timely cleaning would have cost.
Does pet insurance cover dental cleanings? ▼
Most standard accident and illness pet insurance policies do NOT cover routine dental cleanings — they're considered preventive care. Wellness riders or preventive care add-ons, which cost an extra $10–$25/month, often cover one dental cleaning per year up to a specified amount ($100–$300). Plans that cover dental illness (periodontal disease, dental infections, extractions for disease) are more common. Before purchasing pet insurance, confirm exactly what dental coverage is included — policies vary significantly on this.
Related Procedures
Build a complete estimate for your pet's vet visit.
Use the Full CalculatorData: Nationwide Pet Insurance Claims Data, AVMA U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, APPA National Pet Owners Survey, VECCS Emergency Cost Data
Last updated: January 2025
How we calculate this · Pet insurance terms vary. Read the policy carefully, especially exclusions for pre-existing and breed-specific conditions.