re: Dog dental cleanings, legit or scam?

quote:

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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?

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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...