re: Dog dental cleanings, legit or scam?

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I’ve owned dogs

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Large/medium breeds? This is a big issue with small dogs, large not as much

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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...

I have a 110 lb Airedale, cleaning was a little over $500, 2/3 of the cost was the anesthesia.

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Legit.... like humans, dental health has a direct correlation to cardiac and overall health.

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Human life expectancy is what, 80 years. Its what, 10, 12 in dogs? Humans also do not regularly drink water out of mudholes and toilets, most of us anyway. Humans are also wimps when it comes to pain and discomfort compared to dogs. If a dog lived 70 years and was bedridden because a tooth hurt it might be necessary, if the dog can afford it, to have some dental work. I will bet anyone alive that canine dental implants either exist or will soon...at $1000 or more a pop.


I did the google machine...yes, canine dental implants are a thing as are canine orthodontics. Folks have lost their damned minds.

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I have a 110 lb Airedale

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Wow, had no idea Airedales got that big. We have 2 Airedales. The male is 65 lbs.

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Human dental cleanings are a scam.

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I would say this probably changes once you hit 55 to 65

I have an Airedale going on 9 years. I got him on these a couple years ago and his teeth and breath have gotten much better, to the point where it’s not even a concern.

Deer Antlers

I have 2 dogs around 50 lbs each. Buy a bag every few months.

I lost a dog, though at an old age, because he didn't wake up from a teeth cleaning. We knew the risks, being that he was 11 years old, but decided to do it anyway. One of the worst days of my life, and I won't do it again for any dog I own after about 8 years old. Its definitely a worthwhile procedure, as it prevents a lot of bad breath issues and tooth issues that can prove fatal, but I wouldn't do it again for a geriatric dog

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Being put to sleep is far more dangerous than anything a cleaning could prevent.


Its literally the exact opposite actually.

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It is estimated by vets that 80% of dogs in the US have some dental disease which could be treated successfully with a cleaning performed under general anesthetics. Estimates from the same groups say that somewhere around .02% of those dogs will die if left untreated. The same studies find that 1.29% of dogs put under general anesthesia die in the US each year from anesthesia alone. If these numbers, numbers vets have reported, are true, there a dog is 1.5 times as likely to die from general anesthesia than from dental disease.

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It is all about upselling "pet parents".


What a warped view of veterinarians.

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It is a warped view to say that vets are good business people who, like any other business, are in business to maximize profits?

Our vet suggested it on an annual checkup/shots. The next year, she asked me where I took her for a dental cleaning, that her teeth and gums look fine.

I didn't take her anywhere, just started saving the pork rib bones and giving them to her, and also the blade bone when I cooked a butt. She was happy and her teeth were good.

Now there is a risk that the shards can hurt her, but she made it about 12 more years with no problem.