Answers about anesthesia-free teeth cleanings, pricing, comfort, eligibility, and appointments.
Your pet remains awake throughout the cleaning. Our K-9 Dental Hygienists are positioned on padded dog beds and securely position the pet so they can safely see and access the teeth. Small dogs may also be comfortably wrapped or swaddled for additional support.
Before beginning, we complete an oral assessment to confirm that anesthesia-free cleaning is appropriate. We then hand-scale the front and back of each tooth, including below the gumline, polish the teeth, and complete a final tartar check.
After the cleaning, you receive a dental report card documenting our findings and recommendations.
A complete anesthesia-free dental cleaning is $295 for dogs and cats, regardless of your pet’s size or the amount of tartar present. Appointments are approximately 45 minutes.
The cleaning includes:
Oral health evaluation
Hand scaling of the front and back of the teeth
Plaque and tartar removal above and below the gumline
Periodontal probing as appropriate
Teeth polishing
Final tartar check
Dental report card with findings and recommendations
A $35 deposit is required when booking and is applied toward the $295 cleaning fee.
Yes. During the cleaning, our K-9 Dental Hygienists hand-scale the teeth above and below the gumline to remove plaque and tartar buildup from accessible tooth surfaces.
We also assess the gums and may probe around the teeth to look for periodontal pockets or other concerns.
Anesthesia-free dental cleaning does not include dental X-rays, so we cannot evaluate tooth roots or structures that are not visible or accessible. If we identify signs of advanced periodontal disease or another concern requiring further evaluation, we will recommend an anesthetic dental procedure with your veterinarian.
Yes. Dental instruments are cleaned and sterilized between patients using appropriate infection-control procedures.
We take sanitation and patient safety seriously and use clean, properly prepared instruments for every pet.
Most appointments take approximately 45 minutes. We generally ask owners to wait outside the treatment area so the K-9 Dental Hygienist can focus on safely positioning and working with your pet.
If our team identifies a dental concern that requires treatment under anesthesia, such as a loose or painful tooth, we will document the finding on your pet’s dental report card and explain the recommended next step.
Yes. K-9 Smiles provides anesthesia-free dental cleanings for both dogs and cats.
Cats receive the same oral health evaluation and preventive dental-care approach as dogs. Because every pet is different, our team evaluates each cat individually to determine whether an anesthesia-free cleaning is appropriate.
Yes. Our K-9 Dental Hygienists are experienced in working with dogs of different temperaments and use calm, low-stress handling techniques throughout the appointment.
At the start of the appointment, we also use Bach Flower essence to help support a calmer experience.
We do not use anesthesia or sedation as part of the dental cleaning itself, and each pet is evaluated individually to make sure the service is appropriate.
Yes. If your dog has already been prescribed gabapentin and/or trazodone by their veterinarian for stressful situations such as car rides, veterinary visits, grooming appointments, or similar events, we recommend giving their normal prescribed dose 2–3 hours before the dental cleaning appointment.
Giving the medication 2–3 hours beforehand allows enough time for it to take effect before your dog arrives at the clinic. Giving it immediately before the appointment may not provide enough time for the medication to be effective.
Do not increase the dose or give additional medication beyond what your veterinarian has prescribed.
Please let our team know at check-in what medication your pet received, the dose, and what time it was given.
Yes. Age alone does not prevent a pet from receiving an anesthesia-free dental cleaning.
Older pets and pets with medical conditions are evaluated individually based on their health history, oral condition, and the veterinarian’s assessment at the clinic.
Anesthesia-free dental cleaning is intended for preventive dental care and is not appropriate for every dental condition.
Before proceeding, we evaluate your pet’s oral health. If we identify concerns such as:
Loose teeth
Advanced periodontal disease
Painful dental conditions
Conditions requiring dental X-rays or extractions
We may recommend anesthetic dental treatment with your veterinarian instead. Our goal is always to recommend the option that is most appropriate for your pet’s health.
A heart murmur can indicate that the heart is not circulating blood as efficiently as it normally should.
During an anesthesia-free dental cleaning, dogs are positioned on their backs for part of the appointment. This position can place additional pressure on the chest and heart. For dogs with known heart murmurs, we want to make sure additional veterinary support and oxygen are immediately available in the rare event that the dog experiences difficulty maintaining adequate oxygenation.
Dogs with Grade 1 through Grade 3 heart murmurs may be able to receive their anesthesia-free dental cleaning at one of our partner veterinary clinic locations, where oxygen and additional medical equipment are available if needed.
Our standard pet-store and grooming-location clinics do not have the same emergency equipment available.
If your dog has a heart murmur, please let us know when scheduling so we can help direct you to an appropriate clinic location.
Periodontal disease is one of the most common dental problems in dogs and cats and can progress when plaque and tartar are allowed to build up over time.
Regular preventive dental care can help reduce buildup, support healthier gums, and identify concerns before they become more advanced.
Anesthesia-free cleaning is intended for preventive care. If we identify loose teeth, advanced periodontal disease, infection, or another condition requiring X-rays or treatment under anesthesia, we will recommend follow-up with your veterinarian.
Loose teeth can indicate more advanced periodontal disease or another dental condition that may require treatment beyond the scope of an anesthesia-free cleaning.
If we identify loose teeth during your pet’s oral health evaluation or cleaning, we will document the findings on your pet’s dental report card and may recommend follow-up with your veterinarian for dental X-rays and treatment under anesthesia.
We do not extract teeth during our anesthesia-free dental cleanings.
No. K-9 Smiles does not perform tooth extractions.
Extractions require anesthesia and are typically performed along with dental X-rays so the veterinarian can properly evaluate the tooth roots and surrounding structures.
If we identify a tooth that may require extraction, we will document the finding on your pet’s dental report card and recommend follow-up with your veterinarian.
The appropriate frequency depends on your pet’s age, breed, oral health, diet, genetics, and how quickly plaque and tartar accumulate.
Many pets benefit from a professional cleaning approximately every 6 to 12 months, while others may need cleanings more or less frequently.
At each appointment, we will evaluate your pet’s oral health and provide recommendations based on their individual needs.
Regular home dental care between professional cleanings can also help reduce plaque buildup.
A complete anesthesia-free dental cleaning is $295 for dogs and cats, regardless of size.
Appointments are approximately 45 minutes.
A $35 deposit is required when booking and is applied toward the $295 cleaning fee, leaving a $260 balance due at the appointment.
Every appointment begins with an Oral Health Evaluation to confirm that your pet is an appropriate candidate.
If we identify loose teeth, advanced periodontal disease, infection, pain, or another condition requiring treatment under anesthesia and cannot proceed with the cleaning, the $35 deposit will instead be applied toward the Oral Health Evaluation performed at the appointment.
You will also receive a dental report card documenting our findings and any recommended follow-up care.
Visit our Find a Clinic page and search by clinic name, city, or ZIP code to find an upcoming K-9 Smiles clinic near you.
Once you select a location, click View Available Times. The TimeTap scheduler will open in a popup where you can choose your service, select an available appointment time, and complete your booking.
If you need help finding a location or scheduling an appointment, please call us at 303-654-0560.
We have clinic locations across Colorado’s Front Range, from Ft. Collins to Colorado Springs. We visit different partner locations each day. Check our calendar to find a location near you and book an appointment.