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How much does a pet dental cleaning cost?
A dog dental cleaning with anesthesia runs $300–$687; average $376 in CareCredit/Synchrony's 2025 study (average $376 via Spot, citing the same data); Pawlicy publishes $300–$700 including oral X-rays and polishing. For cats, the published figure is an average of $430 (Spot, citing CareCredit) — no source we could read publishes a cleaning-only cat range, and the guide below explains why that gap matters.
| Dental — published figures | Figure |
|---|---|
| Dog cleaning — range / average | $300–$687 / average $376 (CareCredit via Spot) |
| Dog cleaning — Pawlicy range | $300–$700 (incl. visual exam, mouth X-rays, scaling, polishing, anesthesia) |
| Cat cleaning — average | $430 (Spot, citing CareCredit) |
| Cat dental — ASPCA special-cost line (2021) | $300 (dog $500) |
| Cat dental combined line — CareCredit cat guide | $59–$719 for checkups, extractions and cleanings combined — not a cleaning-only figure |
Extractions: where a cleaning becomes a surgery bill
Anesthesia is the primary cost driver of the cleaning itself (Spot). The multiplier is what the cleaning finds. Published extraction pricing:
| Tooth extraction — published figures (Pawlicy dental guide) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Dog, simple extraction line item | $10–$15 per tooth |
| Dog, extraction with root elevation | up to $25–$35 per tooth |
| Dog, complex large-tooth fracture extraction (general practice) | $500–$1,000; significantly higher by a board-certified dentist |
| Cat, typical extraction case | $300–$1,300 including anesthesia, X-rays, medication, hospitalization, supplies |
Note the two different units: the dog figures are the extraction line item added on top of the cleaning's anesthesia; the cat range is a typical-case total. A cleaning that uncovers several diseased teeth can total several times the cleaning fee — that, not the cleaning price, is the budgeting risk.
Bloodwork before anesthesia is a common add-on — see what a panel costs in the bloodwork guide.
Read the bloodwork cost guideSources: CareCredit / Synchrony — How Much Does a Dog Cost? (2025 study) · Spot Pet Insurance — Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental Cleaning? · Pawlicy Advisor — Budgeting for Pet Dental Costs · ASPCA — Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021). Researched October 2026 — prices change; confirm with your clinic.