Part of caring for a pet cat is making sure that their dental health is monitored and managed as time goes on. Your veterinarian likely checks your cat’s teeth every time that they go in for a checkup. Even so, you might be surprised when your veterinarian tells you that one of your cat’s teeth must be extracted. First and foremost, your cat’s health and safety are your biggest concerns. However, you should know how much it would cost to remove your cat’s tooth, so you can effectively budget for the procedure. Estimates go around $60-$140 per tooth plus aftercare costs. Let’s dive in for more details.
The Average Cost of Cat Tooth Extraction in 2023
The exact cost of extracting a tooth will vary depending on many factors such as number and type of tooth needing extraction, infection, abscesses, blood work, x-rays, medications and so forth.
The cost of extracting a cat tooth will vary depending on the other services that might be necessary before, during, or after the extraction. This is why you should contact your veterinary clinic for a detailed estimate for your cat.
Online cost estimates of anywhere from $60 to more than $140 per tooth usually don’t include all the costs associated with a cat dental.
Taking into account services such as check up, anesthesia, x-rays, pain relief and antibiotics, you may pay somewhere between $500 and $1150 when all is said and done. Complicated or extensive dentistry will cost more than this. The real cost of extracting one of your cat’s teeth can only be determined by the specific veterinarian whom you are working with. They will be able to provide you with an estimate of cost. They usually provide an estimate rather than a quote. Once your cat is anesthetized the vet will be able to examine under the plaque and tartar and may find other teeth than need attending to, or if you are lucky, that the procedure was more simple than anticipated.
Veterinarians would not want the cost of dentistry to stop pet parents seeking care for their cat. Please talk to your vet about your situation if your cat needs dental work but you have financial constraints. Vets are used to discussing options available for the best outcome all round.
Image Credit: Ermolaev Alexander, Shutterstock
Common Reasons for the Need to Extract a Cat Tooth
The most common cause for a cat’s tooth needing to be extracted is decay and disease development. However, there are multiple different reasons that your veterinarian might recommend that one of your cat’s teeth should be removed:
Periodontal disease– is inflammation and infection of the gums and structures surrounding and supporting the teeth.
Crowding — When too many teeth grow, in too small a space they crowd each other, it can cause dental health problems as time goes on. This is more likely in short faced cats such as Persians. Removing a tooth or two can create more space for the remaining teeth to utilize for better health overall.
Fractures — Sometimes, a cat can fracture a tooth due to an accident or feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions, which causes pain and can lead to infection. The tooth is unlikely to be able to be repaired, so it will need to be extracted to relieve pain.
You may become aware of the need to extract your cat’s tooth without having visited the veterinarian first. However, it is important to verify the need with your vet before you start budgeting for the procedure. All cats will need a check over before a dental procedure is booked in as their health and fitness for anesthesia must be assessed.
A Quick Recap
Sometimes, there is no getting around the need to extract a cat’s tooth. Now you know how much you can expect to pay if the need arises sometime this year. It is important to work closely with your veterinarian if you suspect that your cat has any dental problems that need to be dealt with. Dental disease is a cause of significant pain and discomfort and should be taken care of at the earliest possible opportunity. For tooth-friendly foods, treats, and dental products that could help reduce the risk of dental disease in your cat, look at the list on the Veterinary Oral Health Council website.
Rachael has been a freelance writer since 2000, in which time she has had an opportunity to research and write about many different topics while working to master the art of fusing high-quality content with effective content marketing strategies. She is an artist at heart and loves to read, paint, and make jewelry in her spare time. As a vegan, Rachael is obsessed with helping animals in need both in her community and anywhere in the world where she feels she can make a difference. Animals also happen to be her favorite topic to write about! She lives off the grid in Hawaii with her husband, her garden, and her rescue animals including 5 dogs, a cat, a goat, and dozens of chickens.
