Dog dental

At our vet (which isn't the cheapest in the area) they recommend based on each animals conditions. They are just like people, and some get plaque build up and others don't.

Our dog could use a cleaning yearly, but I try to brush his teeth and stretch it out to every other year.

It usually comes in around the two hundred and some dollar range. That includes the blood work pre op, anesthetizing, and cleaning. We have never had any extractions, and they cost more.

He is getting older, and I need to have it done again this year, but am dragging my feet because of his age and putting him under. He didn't do really well last time, and it worries me.

I spend around $400, sometimes more if they need extractions. This includes the blood work they need prior to the dental. It's been several years since I've had a dental done, so it's probably more than that now.

It depends on the dog and the breed as to how often they need their teeth cleaned. My Cavalier King Charles Spaniels needed it every year. My Japanese Chin, who is 13 1/2, has never had his teeth cleaned. He does need to have them cleaned now, but he's old and has heart problems, and I won't let him be anesthetized. My vet doesn't recommend it now either.

It costs around $500 but all of my vets, including specialists, never recommend I put my dogs under just to get a cleaning done since anesthesia can be dangerous in general. I brush their teeth a few days a week or more and I encourage chewing on specialty teeth cleaning dog bones to help keep their teeth clean and so far, it has worked.

ETA: they do have places which don't put your dogs under in order to clean their teeth. They will use a mild sedative (usually of natural origin) if the dog is too sketchy but many dogs are able to handle it. You could check into that. It is usually cheaper (and safer) too.

I just wanted to add something to what I said above. I've given my dog a Greenie every day since he was a puppy. I really think that's one of the reasons he's never needed to have his teeth cleaned. He also chews on the nubby Nylabones.

On 1/23/2015 NickNack said:

I just wanted to add something to what I said above. I've given my dog a Greenie every day since he was a puppy. I really think that's one of the reasons he's never needed to have his teeth cleaned. He also chews on the nubby Nylabones.

yes that is what we use too. I have one dog who hates chewing on hard bones so his teeth aren't as nice as the others who love to chew on the harder bones. But I finally found one he likes that isn't as hard but still has nubbies and his teeth are looking better now. I am so happy to have finally found one he would chew on!

Cleaning is terribly expensive, more if extractions take place. I've had the non-anaesthetic cleaning done a few times.

I've taken to brushing the dog's teeth myself to avoid these expenses. I found that the dog loves CET poultry flavored toothpaste. I started very slowly with him, and little by little he accepts it very well because he likes the toothpaste and because I give him a cheese snack when he's done. There are videos online of how to do it. He does not like or chew dental chews, so this is what has to be done.

On 1/23/2015 NickNack said:

I just wanted to add something to what I said above. I've given my dog a Greenie every day since he was a puppy. I really think that's one of the reasons he's never needed to have his teeth cleaned. He also chews on the nubby Nylabones.

We do this, too! They love the Greenies and Nylabones and we believe they both really help!