Cat Tooth Extraction Cost

Last Updated on October 30, 2021
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

As they get older, cats are more and more prone to diseases such as dental, hair loss, blindness, or even mental problems. Although they can be easily prevented, dental and periodontal disease are some of the most common health problems encountered in adult cats. Dental diseases can not only wreak havoc inside the mouth of an adult cat, but they can also cause infections, which are then spread throughout the body, causing serious problems for your cat’s kidneys or heart.

Cats suffering from a variety of dental diseases including gum disease and severe tooth decay will ultimately lose their teeth. Tooth extractions are common in these circumstances because the extraction process is done inside just one procedure and it’s not too painful for the animal either.

How much does a cat tooth extraction cost?

The price of a cat tooth extraction is influenced by a series of factors including the vet doing this job, the gravity of the problem, and the place where you are living.

Depending on the place the tooth is located, the average cost for a cat tooth extraction is anywhere between $60 and $140 per tooth. This price can decrease if more teeth are going to be extracted in one session. For instance, if the cat will have four teeth pulled out, the cost per tooth would be anywhere between $40 and $110.

You might also like our articles about the cost of tooth extraction for a dog, bloodwork, or abscess treatment for a cat.

You must take into consideration that with more extractions, more preparation will be required, such as cleaning, lab work, and x-rays. When adding the costs per antibiotics, anesthesia, and other required exams to the final price, it will result in a total amount of $550 to $850. Remember that not all tooth extractions are the same, and it all depends on the cat’s needs. One may need just a simple tooth extraction, while others will need deep cleaning and x-rays.

According to a member of the Bogleheads.org forum, who worked at a vet clinic, the price for a cat tooth extraction is around $800. Also, another member from the same forum, noted that he received price offers ranging from $670 to $880.

Cat tooth extraction details

The total amount already mentioned above should also include the anesthesia, bloodwork tests, x-rays, IV catheter, cleaning, extraction, suture materials, the medication afterward, and the follow-up exams in order to make sure that the cat is healing. However, this may vary from clinic to clinic, so be sure to ask beforehand what is included in the final bill.

One of the most important things to consider before starting a procedure at the vet is whether or not your cat will be healthy enough for surgery. A blood test and x-ray might help in determining this, but sometimes IV fluids can also give them access to the cat’s circulatory system if an emergency arises during the surgery. Vet professionals may recommend alternatives such as cleaning agents or antibiotics before considering the extraction.

When a cat has had all of its teeth extracted, the procedure is usually done surgically. However, if the cat suffers from severe gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease, then nonsurgical extraction may be an option. Regardless of the extraction procedure being used, a small incision will be made and specialized dental equipment can easily remove the affected tooth. To prevent future infection in this area the vet will have it sutured together so there’s no chance of leaks or complications.

The amount of time needed for this procedure is anywhere between two and four hours, depending on the severity of the problem.

After a tooth extraction, your cat will need to eat soft foods for about one week. They should also take pain medications and avoid doing any activity that is too strenuous until the area has healed enough so they can go back to their regular schedule again.

What are the extra costs?

You will need to buy pre-op medication to make sure your cat will not feel any pain. Also, you might also require x-rays that examine the tooth which needs extraction, so the vet can see whether there’s any damage already.

If you want a deep clean and extraction with anesthesia, most vets will charge an additional fee. The average expense is around $220 to $310 for this service.

Important things to consider

It is recommended for the regular vet to address a professional veterinarian dentist, specialized in cat tooth extraction. A vet dentist will extract the entire tooth if it’s possible. This is because the teeth are so delicate, and can break easily while being removed from your cat’s mouth leaving behind tiny roots that may cause future problems.

Stomatitis is an extremely painful oral condition for cats. It is an excessive reaction of the immune system to the accumulation of plaque and tartar on the surface of the tooth or in the presence of other diseases. Stomatitis in cats could be caused by kidney failure or the coexistence of another serious disease, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (IVF) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), which are unfortunately widespread. The only solution capable of improving the painful condition that the cat is facing is the total extraction of the teeth.

Feline dental chart

A cat’s dental chart is a permanent record of their health that includes any abnormalities, the skull type, and occlusion findings. It also shows radiographic results for plaque levels in addition to periodontal problems like tooth loss or gum disease when present because it’s important to know how severe these issues are so they can be prevented from happening again.

How can I save money?

If you live in an area with a local shelter, contact them to see if they offer low-cost veterinary services. Many animal shelters across America provide this service for discounted rates and will only require your pet’s breed or spay/neuter certificate as identification.