Pet Dental Care in Australia: Brushing, Costs & Dental Disease (2026)

Daily brushing is the standard most vets recommend for dogs and cats. Plaque can start to harden into tartar within a few days, so regular brushing removes it before it sets.

If daily brushing isn't realistic, brushing at least three times a week still helps. Pet owners who brush less often than that tend to see less benefit.

A few practical tips for getting started:

• Go slowly. Start by letting the pet lick pet toothpaste off a finger, then progress to touching the teeth and gums over one to two weeks.
• Use pet-specific toothpaste. Human toothpaste often contains fluoride and sometimes xylitol, which can be harmful to pets if swallowed.
• Focus on the outer surfaces. Most tartar builds up on the cheek side of the upper back teeth and canines.
• Keep sessions short. Thirty seconds to two minutes is enough, followed by praise or a small reward.

Cats can be harder to train than dogs. Many cat owners have more success with a finger brush or a soft cotton bud than a standard toothbrush.

Australian vets generally recommend products that have been tested for effectiveness. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal is a useful guide, as it shows a product has met set standards for reducing plaque or tartar.

Some items are best avoided. Vets often advise against cooked bones, antlers, hard nylon bones and very hard chews, as these can fracture teeth.

Raw bones are a common topic in Australia, and opinions among vets vary. Pet owners considering them should discuss the risks, such as fractured teeth, gut blockages and bacterial contamination, with their vet first.

Dental disease is very common in Australian dogs and cats, and many pets hide mouth pain well. Owners should watch for:

• Bad breath that persists
• Yellow or brown tartar on the teeth
• Red, swollen or bleeding gums
• Drooling, sometimes with blood
• Dropping food, chewing on one side or eating more slowly
• Pawing at the mouth or rubbing the face
• Loose, broken or missing teeth
• Swelling below the eye, which can point to a tooth root abscess
• Reduced appetite, weight loss or reluctance to play with chew toys

In cats, tooth resorption is a painful condition where the tooth structure breaks down. It may appear as a red spot or gum tissue growing over part of a tooth.

Any of these signs is a reason to book a vet visit. Early treatment is usually simpler and less costly than treating advanced disease.

Most vets recommend a dental check at least once a year, usually as part of the annual health check and vaccination visit. Pets over seven years of age may benefit from checks every six months.

How often a professional clean is needed depends on the individual pet. Some pets need one every year, while others with good home care may go several years between cleans.

Pets that often need more frequent cleans include:

• Small and toy dog breeds, such as Chihuahuas, Maltese and Toy Poodles
• Flat-faced breeds, such as Pugs, French Bulldogs and Persian cats
• Older pets
• Pets with a history of dental disease

In Australia, a professional dental clean is done under general anaesthetic. This allows the vet to clean below the gum line, take dental X-rays and check each tooth properly. Anaesthesia-free cleaning only removes visible tartar and isn't recommended by Australian veterinary bodies.

Prices vary by location, clinic and the condition of the pet's teeth. The figures below are general estimates in AUD.

The final bill often includes pre-anaesthetic blood tests, IV fluids, pain relief, antibiotics if needed, and the anaesthetic itself. Clinics in capital cities tend to charge more than regional practices.

Many vets can't give an exact price until the pet is under anaesthetic and X-rays have been taken. Pet owners can ask for a written estimate with a price range and ask the clinic to call before doing extra extractions.

Some Australian clinics run discounts during Pet Dental Health Month, which is usually held in August.

Cover depends on the insurer and policy level. Many Australian pet insurance policies don’t cover routine dental cleaning, as it’s considered preventive care.

Common patterns include:

• Accident cover: Often includes dental injuries, such as a tooth broken in a fall.
• Illness cover: Some comprehensive policies cover dental illness, such as periodontal disease, sometimes with an annual sub-limit.
• Routine care add-ons: Some insurers offer optional extras that contribute a set amount towards dental checks or cleans each year.
• Exclusions: Pre-existing dental conditions are usually excluded. Some policies also require your pet to have had a dental check in the past 12 months for dental illness claims to be accepted.

Waiting periods also apply, and illness waiting periods are commonly around 30 days. Pet owners should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully, as it sets out exactly which dental treatments are and aren’t covered.