Cat Dental Cleaning: Procedure, Costs, and What to Expect

Reviewed by Catherine Barnette, DVM. Updated on 09/30/2024

Skip To

What if you never brushed your teeth or went to the dentist? Can you imagine the degree of dental decay or infection and oral pain you would experience, not to mention the smell?

A healthy mouth is just as important for pets as it is for humans. Believe it or not, an estimated 50-90% of cats older than 4 have some degree of dental disease (1). Periodontal disease is not only painful but also leads to bacteria from the mouth entering the bloodstream. This can cause systemic chronic inflammation and flood the body’s organs with bacteria.

Dental disease worsens with time and is more prevalent in older cats. It’s important to establish a home dental care routine for your cat from an early age and take them to the vet for regular dental cleanings.

Let’s take a closer look at signs you should schedule a cat dental cleaning. Plus, learn what to expect before, during, and after this procedure.

Signs You Should Schedule a Cat Dental Cleaning

Cat has inflamed gums and teeth covered with plaque and tartar

Preventing dental disease in cats is important. You can do this by regularly brushing your cat’s teeth and scheduling veterinary cleanings. An annual check-up with your vet is also essential for catching dental issues as early as possible.

If you notice any of these signs, your cat may have dental disease that may warrant professional attention:

Bad breath (halitosis)
Visible tartar buildup or red gums
Drooling
Bleeding from the mouth
Pawing at the face, shaking the head, or teeth chattering
Facial swelling or nasal discharge
Dropping food or changes in appetite
Difficulty swallowing
Weight loss
Behavior changes (lethargy, hiding, irritability, or aggression)

It’s important to note that even cats with severe dental disease may not necessarily stop eating. The drive to eat and survive is a strong instinct in cats, and cats often hide signs of pain. Dental disease occurs in the wild, too. But wild animals hide their pain and eat to survive, struggling through their discomfort. Our domestic cats are much the same. So even if your cat is eating well, regular oral checkups are still necessary. If your cat isn’t eating as much, is avoiding dry food, or dropping more food than normal, these signs of oral pain need to be addressed by your vet.

If you have a senior cat, old age is not a reason to avoid dental cleanings. Dental pain is a welfare issue that affects your cat’s quality of life. Speak with your vet about the benefits versus risks of anesthesia and dental care around your senior kitty.

Cat Dental Cleaning Procedure: Step by Step

Your veterinarian will let you know if your cat requires a professional dental cleaning or further treatments. Here are some of the steps you can expect as part of your cat’s dental cleaning procedure.

Physical Exam

Veterinary dentist checks cat teeth condition

The first step is a physical exam, during which your vet will examine your cat’s mouth. If your vet finds severe infections, they may prescribe an oral antibiotic to be taken before your cat’s dental procedure. They might also perform blood work to check your pet’s health and confirm they’re fit for anesthesia.

General Anesthesia

Cat dental cleanings are similar to those for humans, but your cat will be under general anesthesia. This is necessary because cats won’t hold their mouths open willingly and could bite. The anesthesia also allows for safe placement of a tube in the windpipe, protecting the airway from water used during the cleaning. Since dental disease can be painful, working on your cat’s mouth while they’re awake would cause unnecessary discomfort. When your cat is asleep, they won’t feel any pain. This makes anesthesia essential for the safety of both your cat and the veterinary staff during the procedure.

While anesthesia carries some risks, the benefits of a thorough dental cleaning usually outweigh them, especially in cases of dental disease. A thorough pre-anesthetic exam and blood work can identify any health issues that might make anesthesia unsafe for your cat. Pet owners should be aware that anesthesia-free cleanings, often advertised at grooming facilities, are only cosmetic. They don’t address problems below the gum line, so veterinarians don’t recommend them.

IV Catheter

While your cat is under general anesthesia, the vet will place an IV catheter to deliver fluids and sometimes antibiotics. Just like with human anesthesia, your cat will be closely monitored to keep their heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure stable. The staff will also take special steps to keep your cat warm during the procedure.

Dental Radiographs (X-Rays)

Cat is given an x-ray of the teeth under general anesthesia

Next, the vet will take dental X-rays. These X-rays help determine what’s happening beneath your cat’s gum line. Much like an iceberg, the large roots of the tooth are hidden below the gum line and not visible. About 42% of cats with normal-looking teeth above the gum line actually have dental disease below (2). Therefore, dental X-rays are essential for spotting issues like resorptive lesions, tooth decay, bone loss, oral cysts, and retained baby teeth. This information helps your veterinarian decide if a tooth needs to be extracted.

Dental Scaling and Polishing

During the cat teeth cleaning procedure, the vet uses forceps to remove large chunks of tartar. They then use hand-scaler tools and an ultrasonic scaler for smaller particles, similar to a human dentist’s office. Metal curettes clean beneath the gum line. After removing debris, the vet gently probes the gums around each tooth to check for deep pockets that may indicate gum recession, which could mean a nearby tooth needs to be pulled. Finally, the teeth are rinsed and polished, and an anti-plaque product may be applied.

Tooth Extractions

Cat has a tooth removed under anesthesia

The vet injects a topical anesthetic, like lidocaine, around any teeth that need to be extracted to numb the area and control pain for your cat. They use a tool called an elevator to break the ligaments holding the tooth to the bone. Sometimes, the vet may need to make an incision with a scalpel to assist with the extraction. After removing the tooth with forceps, they may use sutures to close the hole.

Additional X-Rays

After an extraction, the vet will take more X-rays to ensure the entire tooth root was removed, as leaving a fragment can cause pain or infection. If the cat has severe periodontitis and bone loss, the vet may take additional X-rays after the procedure to check for any fractures in the weakened jawbone (mandible) after extractions.

Cat Dental Cleaning Costs

The cost of veterinary dental services for cats varies based on your location, your veterinarian’s practices, and your cat’s dental and overall health.

The average cost of a cat dental cleaning at a vet clinic ranges from $300 to $750. This includes the $50-$60 exam fee, $100-$200 for pre-anesthetic blood work, as well as anesthesia, dental X-rays, and the cleaning itself. If extractions are needed, costs can exceed $1,000.

Veterinary dentist specialists, trained via the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC), perform more advanced procedures (such as root canals and other specialty surgeries) and are typically more costly than a general practitioner vet.

Pet insurance may cover routine and preventive dental care. Pet owners should consider getting insurance as soon as they bring a new pet home. Additionally, your vet may offer reduced dental fees in February, which is Pet Dental Health Month. Ask about specials and book in advance to save money.

What to Expect After a Cat Dental Cleaning

Cat sleeping in carrier after dental cleaning

After your cat recovers from anesthesia following a dental procedure, your vet may either discharge them the same day or recommend overnight observation. If your cat goes home, monitor them closely, as they may still be wobbly and at risk of falling. Keep them in a small, safe space, like a comfortable carrier or a small bathroom, until they are steady on their feet. This helps prevent falls down stairs or off furniture.

Following any anesthetic event, your cat may be a bit nauseous for a few hours or may develop constipation for a few days. If they are vomiting, not eating after 24 hours, or do not have a bowel movement after five days, seek veterinary advice from your vet.

Depending on the severity of the dental problems detected, your cat may go home with pain medication, like Meloxidyl (meloxicam), and/or oral antibiotics, like clindamycin.

If your cat had extractions or surgery, the vet may close the site with dissolvable stitches or leave it open. If left open, they might recommend gently flushing the area with water or a medicated solution like chlorhexidine to prevent food buildup. Your vet may also suggest feeding your cat a soft diet of wet canned food for two weeks while they heal and scheduling a follow-up visit to check on their recovery.

At-home dental care for cats (i.e., tooth brushing) can be resumed within a few days following a dental cleaning without extractions or about two weeks following extractions once your vet gives final approval.

Once you can resume regular dental care, daily tooth brushing with a pet-safe toothpaste, like C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste, and regular veterinary cleanings are the best way to keep your cat’s chompers healthy and looking pearly white while keeping pain away. Do not use a human toothpaste on your cat.

But always ask your vet or veterinary dentist if there are additional measures you should consider to help keep feline dental issues at bay.

For cats who constantly fight tooth brushing, a dental chew or treat may be a great workaround to scrape off any plaque or tartar left behind after an abbreviated brushing session.

There are also liquid and powder additives you can sprinkle over your cat’s food or add directly to their water bowl to boost your cat’s oral health without the battle.

The right nutrition can also play a role in helping promote long-term dental and oral health in cats. Ask your veterinarian if a prescription dental diet would be a good fit for your feline. These diets often contain ingredients designed to help control oral bacteria paired with kibble shaped to scrape away plaque and tartar as your cat chews.

Daily tooth brushing and regular veterinary cleanings are the best way to keep your cat’s chompers healthy and looking pearly white for longer while keeping pain away.