Dental Month Special Offer! 20% Off All Dental products and dental procedures performed in February. Book Today!

Dog and Cat Dental Cleaning in Huntington Beach – Cost, Procedure, and What to Expect

The cost of dental cleaning for dogs and cats can vary depending on your pet’s condition, age, and whether additional treatment is needed. Professional dental cleaning is an important part of maintaining your pet’s overall health—not just their teeth.

At Huntington Beach Pet Hospital, we provide comprehensive dental cleaning for both dogs and cats in Huntington Beach, with a strong focus on safety, monitoring, and complete oral care.

If your pet has bad breath or dental buildup and you’re unsure what to do, call Huntington Beach Pet Hospital at (714) 962-3639 to schedule an evaluation. Abstract background with a thick, wavy orange curve on the left side against a light gray and pale blue backdrop. The modern design features smooth, flowing lines—perfect for a contemporary veterinarian or vet clinic brand. A blue silhouette of a palm tree with detailed fronds stands against a light gray background, offering a calm and soothing design perfect for any veterinarian’s office or vet clinic. A simple blue silhouette of a tall palm tree with a long curved trunk and a wide, leafy crown, set against a plain white background—a calm scene perfect for any veterinarian or vet-themed space.

What Affects the Cost of Dental Cleaning?

Several factors influence cost:
  • Severity of dental disease
  • Need for extractions
  • Pre-anesthetic bloodwork
  • Anesthesia and monitoring
  • Dental X-rays
Pets with mild tartar buildup will typically require less treatment than those with advanced periodontal disease. A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. Subtle, white line drawing of a leafy plant with long, slender leaves on a light gray background. The delicate illustration evokes a calming atmosphere, perfect for a veterinarian's office or vet clinic waiting area. Blue line drawing of a tropical plant with large, elongated leaves, featuring visible veins and detailed shading—an elegant design perfect for a veterinarian’s office or vet clinic, set against a plain white background. An orange tabby cat licks a packet of INABA cat treat held by a person with black nail polish, in a brightly lit indoor setting, as recommended by their veterinarian. A simple illustration of light blue, branching seaweed or coral, featuring long, thin stems and sparse, delicate fronds on a white background—perfect décor for a veterinarian's office or vet-themed space.

Typical Cost of Dog and Cat Dental Cleaning

At Huntington Beach Pet Hospital, a routine dental cleaning for dogs and cats with full anesthesia and full-mouth dental X-rays typically starts at approximately $600.

The total cost may vary depending on your pet’s individual needs, including the presence of dental disease or the need for extractions.

For safety, all pets undergoing anesthesia must have:
  • A current physical examination
  • Pre-anesthetic blood testing
These steps help ensure that your pet is a safe candidate for anesthesia and allow us to tailor care to their individual health needs.

If you would like a more specific estimate for your pet, call Huntington Beach Pet Hospital at (714) 962-3639. A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. A blue silhouette illustration of a palm tree with detailed, textured leaves, set against a plain white background—perfect wall art for a veterinarian or vet clinic waiting room. Five wavy, white, leaf-like shapes with subtle line details are arranged vertically on a light gray background, creating an abstract design that could appeal to a veterinarian or vet with its natural, calming feel. Blue line drawing of a palm tree with multiple fan-shaped leaves extending from long stems, shown on a plain white background—perfect wall art for any veterinarian or vet clinic seeking a calming touch. A brown brindle dog with a collar sits on a wooden floor, looking up happily with its mouth open and tongue out—perhaps waiting for a treat after a positive visit to the veterinarian. A person's foot in a white shoe is visible in the background. Blue line art illustration of a spiky, bushy plant with long, slender leaves radiating outward in all directions, set against a light background—perfect for brightening up any vet or veterinarian's office.

Why Dental Cleaning Is Important

Dental disease is extremely common in both dogs and cats and can lead to:
  • Pain and discomfort
  • Tooth loss
  • Infection
  • Effects on internal organs over time
Many pets with dental disease do not show obvious symptoms until the condition is advanced. White rectangular background with slightly wavy, uneven edges, creating a hand-drawn or casual frame effect—perfect for a friendly vet or veterinarian announcement. The center is blank with no text or images. Blue line art illustration of a tropical plant with long, detailed leaves, drawn with fine lines and shading on a white background—perfect décor for a veterinarian or vet’s office seeking a calming, botanical touch. A fluffy black and white dog sits indoors holding a blue toothbrush in its mouth, looking toward the camera—ready for a visit to the veterinarian. Subtle, white line drawing of a leafy plant with long, slender leaves on a light gray background. The delicate illustration evokes a calming atmosphere, perfect for a veterinarian's office or vet clinic waiting area. A blue line drawing of a spiky-leaved plant with long, narrow leaves radiating outward, set against a light background—perfect wall art for any vet or veterinarian’s office.

Signs Your Pet May Need a Dental Cleaning

  • Bad breath
  • Yellow or brown tartar buildup
  • Red or bleeding gums
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Pawing at the mouth
If you notice these signs, your pet should be evaluated by a veterinarian. A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. A blue silhouette illustration of a palm tree with detailed, textured leaves, set against a plain white background—perfect wall art for a veterinarian or vet clinic waiting room. Five wavy, white, leaf-like shapes with subtle line details are arranged vertically on a light gray background, creating an abstract design that could appeal to a veterinarian or vet with its natural, calming feel. Blue line drawing of a palm tree with multiple fan-shaped leaves extending from long stems, shown on a plain white background—perfect wall art for any veterinarian or vet clinic seeking a calming touch. Person brushing gray and white cat's teeth Blue line art illustration of a spiky, bushy plant with long, slender leaves radiating outward in all directions, set against a light background—perfect for brightening up any vet or veterinarian's office.

What Happens During a Dental Cleaning Procedure

At Huntington Beach Pet Hospital, we follow a comprehensive and safety-focused approach to dental procedures for both dogs and cats.

Your pet’s dental cleaning typically includes:

  • Placement of an IV catheter for fluid support
  • Administration of anesthesia and placement of a breathing tube (intubation) to protect the airway
  • Continuous monitoring using advanced equipment, including:
    • ECG (heart monitoring)
    • Blood pressure monitoring
    • Carbon dioxide monitoring
    • Pulse oximetry (oxygen levels)
    • Temperature monitoring

A dedicated technician is assigned to monitor your pet under anesthesia at all times and records all vital signs throughout the procedure.

Once your pet is safely anesthetized:

  • Teeth are scaled to remove tartar above and below the gumline
  • Teeth are polished to smooth the surface and slow future buildup
  • Dental X-rays are performed to evaluate disease below the gumline
  • Any diseased teeth are treated, including extractions if necessary

All pets receive pain medication in their pre-anesthetic protocol, along with anti-inflammatory medication when appropriate, to ensure comfort during and after the procedure.

This thorough process allows us to diagnose and treat dental disease completely—not just what is visible on the surface.

Hand examining white cat's mouth and teeth Veterinarian examining dog's teeth and mouth during checkup Light blue silhouette of a palm tree with detailed, textured fronds, set against a plain, light background—perfect for a veterinarian’s office or vet-themed space. Person brushing cat's teeth with small toothbrush

At Huntington Beach Pet Hospital, patient safety is our highest priority during every dental procedure.

With over 23 years of clinical experience, Dr. Lewis and the team have performed a large number of dental procedures using modern anesthesia protocols and advanced monitoring equipment.

While no medical procedure is completely without risk, serious complications during routine dental procedures are very uncommon. In our experience, we have not had a patient experience a life-threatening event during a dental cleaning procedure. On rare occasions, unexpected reactions can occur—such as an isolated delayed reaction after anesthesia—but these are extremely uncommon.

To minimize risk, we utilize:
  • Pre-anesthetic examinations and blood testing
  • IV catheter placement and fluid support
  • Continuous monitoring (ECG, blood pressure, oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature)
  • A dedicated technician monitoring your pet throughout the entire procedure
Our goal is to provide the highest level of safety, while also giving you confidence and peace of mind.

Safety and Experience with Anesthesia

Blue line drawing of a tropical plant with large, elongated leaves, featuring visible veins and detailed shading—an elegant design perfect for a veterinarian’s office or vet clinic, set against a plain white background. Orange tabby cat getting teeth brushed with toothbrush Blue line-art illustration of a tall palm tree with a textured trunk and dense, spiky fronds against a plain white background—a calming scene perfect for any veterinarian or vet’s office décor. A rectangular, orange shape with wavy, uneven edges on a white background, reminiscent of a playful veterinarian office sign. A blue line drawing of a spiky-leaved plant with long, narrow leaves radiating outward, set against a light background—perfect wall art for any vet or veterinarian’s office.

Why Non-Anesthetic Cleanings Are Limited

While non-anesthetic cleanings may remove visible tartar, they do not address disease below the gumline.

This means:
  • Dental disease may continue to progress
  • Painful conditions may go undetected
A complete dental evaluation requires anesthesia. White rectangular background with slightly wavy, uneven edges, creating a hand-drawn or casual frame effect—perfect for a friendly vet or veterinarian announcement. The center is blank with no text or images. Blue line art illustration of a tropical plant with long, detailed leaves, drawn with fine lines and shading on a white background—perfect décor for a veterinarian or vet’s office seeking a calming, botanical touch. Corgi dog receiving green dental chew treat Subtle, white line drawing of a leafy plant with long, slender leaves on a light gray background. The delicate illustration evokes a calming atmosphere, perfect for a veterinarian's office or vet clinic waiting area. A blue line drawing of a spiky-leaved plant with long, narrow leaves radiating outward, set against a light background—perfect wall art for any vet or veterinarian’s office.

Dog and Cat Dental Cleaning in Huntington Beach

At Huntington Beach Pet Hospital, we provide professional dental cleaning for dogs and cats in Huntington Beach, including full diagnostics and treatment.

We serve pets in:
  • Huntington Beach
  • Costa Mesa
  • Fountain Valley
  • Westminster
If you are searching for dental cleaning near you, our team is here to help. White rectangular background with slightly wavy, uneven edges, creating a hand-drawn or casual frame effect—perfect for a friendly vet or veterinarian announcement. The center is blank with no text or images. Blue line art illustration of a tropical plant with long, detailed leaves, drawn with fine lines and shading on a white background—perfect décor for a veterinarian or vet’s office seeking a calming, botanical touch. Small dog receiving medication from human hand Person giving medicine to white cat with syringe Subtle, white line drawing of a leafy plant with long, slender leaves on a light gray background. The delicate illustration evokes a calming atmosphere, perfect for a veterinarian's office or vet clinic waiting area. A blue line drawing of a spiky-leaved plant with long, narrow leaves radiating outward, set against a light background—perfect wall art for any vet or veterinarian’s office.

Call Huntington Beach Pet Hospital

If your pet has signs of dental disease or has not had a dental exam recently, we can help determine the next step.

Call (714) 962-3639 to schedule a dental evaluation.

FAQ

It varies, but many dogs and cats benefit from regular dental evaluations and cleanings as needed.

With proper monitoring, trained staff, and pre-anesthetic evaluation, anesthesia is generally very safe. At Huntington Beach Pet Hospital, your pet is continuously monitored by a dedicated technician throughout the entire procedure.

Common signs include bad breath, tartar buildup, red or bleeding gums, difficulty chewing, and pawing at the mouth. Many pets show subtle signs, which is why regular dental evaluations are important.

Yes. Bacteria from infected teeth and gums can enter the bloodstream and may affect organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys over time. Treating dental disease supports your pet’s overall health.

We recommend choosing products with the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal, which have been shown to reduce plaque and tartar. Avoid very hard items such as bones, antlers, or cow hooves, as these can fracture teeth. If a chew is hard enough that you would not want it hitting your knee, it is likely too hard for your pet’s teeth.

We do not offer non-anesthetic dental cleanings because they do not provide true dental treatment and may pose risks to your pet.

According to the American Veterinary Dental College:

  • They do not clean below the gumline
  • They do not allow for dental X-rays or full evaluation
  • They may give a false sense of improvement
Additionally, these procedures often require restraint while sharp instruments are used. We have seen or heard of complications in the area, including gum or tongue lacerations and even orthopedic injuries related to restraint.

Our goal is to provide care that is thorough, safe, and truly beneficial to your pet’s health.