Unlike humans, newbo
rn cats’ milk teeth come out too early and sadly, they lose them too early as well in time for the permanent teeth to come out. Because of this, taking care of their teeth is critical because no matter how the old saying goes that cats have nine lives, it is not applicable to their teeth as they also have only one shot at permanent teeth just like us.
But just like humans, keeping a healthy dental hygiene in cats is also a must as neglecting this part of your pet’s health can lead to more serious health problems that we may not be aware of until it is almost too expensive to treat or even too late to address.
But sometimes, at-home care is not enough and we may be obliged to bring them to a professional who is more knowledgeable in terms of proper cleaning of our cat’s teeth as well as other oral care. And it is not even that meticulous as you may think as teeth cleaning at a vet’s clinic is only required once a year unless your pet has a condition that requires more frequent vet visits.
Sadly, most pet owners neglect this part of pet care and would only seek help during or when serious dental problems have already set in like severe periodontal disease and tooth root abscesses, among others.
We may wonder how much does cat teeth cleaning cost and what are the additional costs that we may encounter along the way. Read along as we uncover facts about this part of pet care.
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Average Cost of Cat Dental Cleaning
Have you ever wondered why there is a need for professional cat teeth cleaning when wild cats can get by without any and they still can survive without incurring any serious dental problems? That is because their diet in the wild keeps their teeth clean and healthy. And since domestic cats are fed different meals, they do not have that natural protection.
The average cost of cat dental cleaning ranges around $250 to $300 but can range between $70 and $400 depending on the veterinary clinic, location, and additional procedures, among others.
Dental problems are common to the feline kind. In fact, according to statistics, around 70% of cats have or would have teeth issues by the time they reach the age of three. Dental problems that may seem harmless at first but could lead to more serious problems when left untreated.
For a complete guide on how to take care of your furry friend, Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook might come in handy.
What are Included
The cat teeth cleaning price includes the professional cleaning with local anesthesia which would aid the veterinarian to have a full access to your pet’s teeth without any hassle. The cleaning would include the use of special toothpaste and special products that can dissolve tartar and other teeth stains as well as polishing and application of fluoride to make the teeth stronger.
You may wonder why a simple cleaning needs anesthesia. The answer is simple. When you do your cat teeth’s brushing at home and it is not too cooperative, what makes you think it would be a nice little cat with the vet? But this is especially so when your pet has already developed gingivitis which makes the brushing somewhat painful. The anesthesia or simply a numbing agent eliminates pain and somehow alleviates distress and fear while undergoing the procedure.
A cat owner from Tennessee reported a cost of feline teeth cleaning worth $175 which includes an antibiotic injection, a sedation drug, a pain reliever injection, an anesthesia, ultrasonic cleaning, and polishing.
Additional Costs
Some vets may charge an initial consultation for cats which typically costs $50.
Before administering anesthesia, some vets may require a pre-anesthetic blood work that ensures that the cat is healthy or would need some special care if any problems or complications arise.
The panel that would include checking of the red blood cell count, protein levels, sugar levels, as well as kidney and liver conditions. This procedure ranges from $55 to $200 depending on the veterinary clinic.
If during the cleaning, the vet discovers teeth and gum problems, several tests may be performed, which, at your go signal may include the following:
- Blood test $202
- Anesthesia $ 99
- Evaluation $129
- Dental Fluids $ 79
- X-rays $84
- Antibiotic $79
- Pain reliever $45
- Extractions $101
The prices above are quoted from a report of a pet owner in a forum at the Bogleheads.org when the pet owner’s cat was diagnosed with gingivitis and further tests are required to rule out liver and kidney problems.
Shopping for Cat Teeth Cleaning
Every veterinary clinic is capable or supposed to be capable of teeth cleaning and other dental care services. But if you are availing of this service for your cat for the first time, you may ask for a referral from relatives and friends who are pet owners.
You may also search for some veterinary dentists near you who are board certified to treat your cat’s dental issues for your peace of mind through the American Veterinary Dental College locator.
Factors Affecting Cat Teeth Cleaning Price
- Condition – when your pet cat has a relatively healthy dental condition like when you make it a point to brush their teeth regularly at home, then you do not have to worry about having to spend on other services that are connected with having dental problems. Straightforward teeth cleaning would suffice.
- The vet – the veterinarians have certain degrees or levels of experience and expertise that make them worth their professional fees. As these levels increase, the more expensive their services can be.
- Location – where you reside or where the vet clinic is located can affect the cost of the cat services as fees can sometimes depend on the cost of living and the cost of doing business in a particular area.
- How often – if your pet is a regular in a clinic, chances are, you will be given a special rate or a discount for the service.
- Insurance – when you have gotten your cat an insurance, you might probably wonder if they would cover your pet’s dental procedures. In all honesty, they probably won’t, unless your cat’s teeth were damaged as a result of an accident. Of course, there may be a few exceptions. One of which is that if you paid for it to be included. So choose an insurance provider that would allow such coverage add-on.
Additional Information
Your cat’s hygiene should always start at home so that some of the dental problems may be avoided or at least the risk can be reduced thereby reducing the need to come to the vet’s clinic often.
Some serious signs that your cat may be suffering from dental problems include changes in behavior, bad breath, having red and inflamed gums, drooling, among others.
To avoid these, you may brush your cat’s teeth by special cat toothbrush and toothpaste.
