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Dog dental cleanings, legit or scam?

Posted on 2/14/24 at 4:13 am
Posted by indytiger
baton rouge/indy
Member since Oct 2004
9879 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 4:13 am
Every time I take my dogs to the vet, they suggest dental cleanings. They aren't cheap, they have to put the dog under anesthesia, and sometimes have to pull multiple teeth.

So my question for the OT is, is this legit, or a money making racket by the vets? How often should it be done? Is it worth doing on 2 ten year old dogs?
Posted by BabyTac
Austin, TX
Member since Jun 2008
12427 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 4:18 am to
Vet told me the same thing last week. Estimate is close to $1000. Not sure if legit either.
Posted by Cheese Grits
Wherever I lay my hat is my home
Member since Apr 2012
55240 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 4:21 am to
Have a 14 year old hound, pulled a tooth and she seems perkier now.

It is expensive tho.
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
120002 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 4:23 am to
I have typically had this done once every 5 years. I figure it should be done once in a while.
Posted by SixthAndBarone
Member since Jan 2019
8449 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 4:59 am to
Dogs have been fine for centuries without toothbrushes.
Posted by sta4ever
The Pit
Member since Aug 2014
15585 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 5:10 am to
Shoot. Human dental cleanings are a scam.
Posted by kciDAtaE
Member since Apr 2017
16023 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 5:33 am to
Small dogs are more prone to teeth issues and periodontal disease. Left untreated could cause major issues including death.
Posted by Corinthians420
Iowa
Member since Jun 2022
7186 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 5:38 am to
My dog only trusts dogs with her dentistry. Says the human dentists don't have a clue what they are doing
Posted by tilco
Spanish Fort, AL
Member since Nov 2013
13509 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 5:46 am to
It is legit. It shouldn’t be 1k like the poster above said unless there are a lot of narly teeth that need to be pulled. Most people wait til it’s too late to have it done and by that point there are 4 teeth that are practically rotting out of their shitzus mouth and its breath smells like death.
Posted by FullFontE
RTP
Member since Jan 2020
381 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 5:56 am to
Legit. As another poster stated, smaller dogs need it regularly. If a tooth goes bad, it can lead to infection, causing multiple problems, possibly death. Anesthesia is a big chunk of the cost unfortunately.
Posted by jbird7
Central FL
Member since Jul 2020
5345 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 6:11 am to
I don’t think it’s worth it. Esp if it’s an older dog. Putting older dogs under anesthesia is risky. I’d only do that unless it was absolutely necessary.
Posted by Dragula
Laguna Seca
Member since Jun 2020
5068 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 6:13 am to
Legit.... like humans, dental health has a direct correlation to cardiac and overall health.
Posted by LSUEngineEar
Member since May 2012
32 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 6:15 am to
Recently went through this. My vet quoted $1000. Called Siegen Lane Vet - he did it for $270. Frequent Greenies are supposed to help once cleaning is done.
Posted by Marciano1
Marksville, LA
Member since Jun 2009
18535 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 6:18 am to
I would imagine if you, a dog groomer or whoever, brushes the dogs teeth every few months, you can potentially avoid the "dental cleaning" at the vet.

The cleaning is legit but the price isn't. That's the scam.
Posted by jmarto1
Houma, LA/ Las Vegas, NV
Member since Mar 2008
34287 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 6:36 am to
A lot of illness with dogs can stem from their teeth
Posted by SingleMalt1973
Member since Feb 2022
12386 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 6:41 am to
Momma told me a dog don’t need no tooth brush…

Posted by prplhze2000
Parts Unknown
Member since Jan 2007
51621 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 6:45 am to
Legit. Had mine done this week. Cost 170. Feb is 15% off.
Posted by Mid Iowa Tiger
Undisclosed Secure Location
Member since Feb 2008
18841 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 6:53 am to
I’ve owned dogs my entire adult life and we had them all my childhood. So 54 years of dog ownership and probably 20+ dogs (parents continued owning dogs) of experience and not one teeth cleaning. Fed good quality dry dog food and never had a dog with tooth issues.

If you’re feeding canned food it may be different.


My guess is it’s not life threatening but “helpful” so they recommend it.
Posted by AwgustaDawg
CSRA
Member since Jan 2023
7523 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 7:02 am to
quote:

Every time I take my dogs to the vet, they suggest dental cleanings. They aren't cheap, they have to put the dog under anesthesia, and sometimes have to pull multiple teeth.

So my question for the OT is, is this legit, or a money making racket by the vets? How often should it be done? Is it worth doing on 2 ten year old dogs?


About 2/3s of the shite vets say a dog needs is more about soothing the fee fees of the "pet parent" (god what a despicable term). Dogs don't even need teeth to survive...they can easily sustain themselves in the wild without them. Its best if they have them obviously but a dog ain't gonna give up just because he has to swallow food without chewing. I am certain cleaning their teeth is beneficial but I highly doubt it is necessary for them to be happy and live a long time. I have had dozens of pampered, spoiled rotten dogs in my life...none of them ever needed a dentist. All of them broke teeth, had missing teeth, not a one of them seemed overly concerned about it. I have a lab that is about as good a duck dog as you could ask for...I probably have close to $10K in her if my time training her was worth what I earnt at work. I paid $1500 for her as a puppy without breeding rights...has a stellar pedigree. Our vet has started in with the cleaning and she knows it happening and does not bring it up again. I have a lot of money in that dog and she means almost as much to me as a member of my family and way more than any other material possession I own...but she licks her own arse and will roll around in dead animals for fun...she is not in the least bit concerned with dental hygiene and would not doubt be very put out if I broached the subject...
Posted by White Bear
Yonnygo
Member since Jul 2014
14223 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 7:03 am to
Dogs don’t live long enough to require dental work.
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