UK vet costs
How much does pet dental treatment cost in the UK?
Last updated 3 May 2026
Quick answer
A routine scale-and-polish under general anaesthetic in the UK typically costs £200–£450 for cats and £250–£600 for dogs. Costs rise materially if extractions are needed: a single extraction commonly adds £30–£80, and a complex extraction or multiple extractions can take the total bill to £600–£1,200 or more. The CMA Vet Services price-transparency order requires every UK vet practice to publish its scale-and-polish price.
What's typical in 2026
A routine pet dental in the UK has three components, priced separately:
- Scale and polish under general anaesthetic — the headline figure published under the CMA’s transparency requirement. £200–£450 (cats), £250–£600 (dogs).
- Extractions — charged per tooth, with complex extractions (e.g. multi-rooted or fractured teeth) priced higher than simple ones. £30–£80 per simple extraction, £80–£200+ per complex extraction.
- Add-ons — intra-oral X-rays (£60–£200), pre-anaesthetic blood work (£50–£150), intravenous fluids during the procedure (£20–£60), and post-operative pain relief.
The headline figure pet owners see (the scale-and-polish quote) often turns out to be a fraction of the eventual bill once the vet is in the mouth and finds extractions are needed. The CMA’s price-transparency order requires the published scale-and-polish price be honest about what is and isn’t included.
Why dental work is one of the most variable line items
Two pets with the same scale-and-polish quote can end up with bills £500 apart depending on what’s found during the procedure. Three reasons:
Pre-procedure assessment is limited. A conscious oral exam tells the vet that the teeth need attention but not exactly which teeth need extracting. That decision is made under general anaesthetic, often after intra-oral X-rays.
Older pets accumulate dental disease. A cat or dog over ten years old that’s never had a dental procedure may need many extractions in one session. The procedure cost scales accordingly.
Anaesthetic time matters. Practices typically charge for anaesthetic and theatre time on top of the per-extraction fee. A complex case with twenty extractions and three hours under anaesthesia costs materially more than a routine clean.
What the CMA's transparency remedies change
The CMA’s 2025 Vet Services price-transparency order requires every UK vet practice to publish its routine scale-and-polish price on its website. The order also requires practices to be clear about what’s included in that figure and what isn’t — specifically that the published price typically does not cover extractions or significant additional clinical work.
Practices commonly publish a base scale-and-polish price with a clear caveat that the final bill depends on what is found during the procedure. The CMA’s remedies require this caveat to be stated up front, not buried in small print.
Questions to ask before booking
- What does the published scale-and-polish price include?
- If extractions are needed, are they charged per tooth or priced at the time depending on complexity?
- Are intra-oral X-rays included or charged separately?
- Is pre-anaesthetic blood work recommended for my pet, and is it included in the published price?
- What’s the typical bill range for a pet of my pet’s age and condition?
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dog dental cost in the UK?
A routine scale-and-polish under general anaesthetic for a UK dog typically costs £250–£600 in 2026. If extractions are needed, simple extractions add £30–£80 each and complex ones £80–£200+, so a multi-tooth case can total £600–£1,200 or more. The CMA's price-transparency order requires every UK vet practice to publish its scale-and-polish price on its website.
How much does a cat dental cost in the UK?
A routine scale-and-polish under general anaesthetic for a UK cat typically costs £200–£450 in 2026. Cats with significant resorptive lesions or periodontal disease commonly need multiple extractions, taking the bill higher. Cats over ten years old that have never had a dental are most likely to need extensive work.
Is pet dental cleaning under anaesthetic safe?
General anaesthesia carries some risk for any pet but is well-tolerated by the vast majority. Pre-anaesthetic blood work is commonly recommended for older pets or breeds at higher anaesthetic risk to identify any underlying issues. Speak to your vet about your specific pet's risk profile.
Why is my pet's dental bill more than the quoted price?
The quoted price typically covers the routine scale-and-polish; extractions and complex clinical work found during the procedure are charged additionally. The CMA's price-transparency order requires every UK vet practice to be clear up front about what the published price includes and what may be charged additionally if needed.
Are there alternatives to a vet dental?
For preventive care between dental procedures: daily tooth brushing, dental chews, and prescription dental diets all support oral health. None replace a scale-and-polish under anaesthetic once dental disease has set in — only the vet can clean below the gum line and address resorptive lesions or periodontal pockets.
Vet Cost Index
A transparent UK vet-pricing index built around the CMA Vet Services price-transparency remedies. The comparison index opens as practices publish their disclosures from 2026 onwards.