Safety and quality of the procedure
Movement during treatment is dangerous: it risks injury to the mouth, poor-quality X-rays, and incomplete removal of disease.
Under anaesthesia, the vet can thoroughly examine every tooth and carry out X-rays and treatment without stress for the pet.
Why "anaesthesia-free cleaning" is limited
Surface cleaning without anaesthesia doesn't allow work below the gumline, removal of tartar near the roots, or a thorough diagnosis.
The pet experiences pain and stress, which makes the procedure harder and reduces its effectiveness.
Preparing for anaesthesia
Before the procedure, the vet assesses the pet's general condition, blood tests and risk factors. This is standard practice to reduce risk.
When to see a vet
- Dental treatment is planned — discuss anaesthesia and preparation with your vet
- There are chronic conditions (heart, kidneys) — an individual risk assessment is needed
- The pet is elderly or has allergies — the vet will choose a safe protocol
What not to do at home
- Don't look for "anaesthesia-free cleaning" as an alternative to proper treatment
- Don't hide chronic conditions or medications from your vet
- Don't feed the pet before the procedure if your vet has given fasting instructions
Frequently asked questions
Under anaesthesia the pet feels no pain during the procedure. After waking, the vet prescribes pain relief if needed.
Most pets wake up within an hour. The vet will explain what to expect at home.