Frequently Asked Qestions

A non-anesthetic dental cleaning, like the service offered at Tabby’s Total Pet Care, is a safe, non-invasive cleaning performed while your pet is awake. No anesthesia, sedatives, or medications are used. Your pet is supported using calm, gentle handling techniques that keep them comfortable and secure. Because there is no anesthesia, there is no bloodwork required, no medication risk, no side effects, and no recovery time. Most pets return to normal activity immediately after their appointment.

An anesthetic dental procedure, typically performed at a veterinary clinic, requires your pet to be placed under general anesthesia. While anesthesia allows for deeper medical procedures such as extractions and treatment of advanced disease, it also requires pre-anesthetic bloodwork, carries medical risk, and involves recovery time. Pets are often groggy, nauseous, or fatigued for 12–24 hours afterward.

At Tabby’s, our focus is on preventative dental maintenance—keeping your pet’s teeth clean and healthy to help reduce the likelihood of more invasive procedures later.

For routine dental maintenance in otherwise healthy pets, non-anesthetic dental cleaning eliminates the risks associated with anesthesia entirely. This is especially important for:

Older pets

Pets with underlying health conditions

Pets sensitive to medications

Owners who prefer a lower-risk, preventative approach

Because there is no anesthesia, no sedation, and no recovery period, the procedure is significantly lower stress on your pet’s body.

However, if your pet has advanced dental disease, loose teeth, infections, or requires medical treatment beneath the gumline, a veterinarian may recommend anesthetic dental care. We always prioritize your pet’s safety and will recommend veterinary care when appropriate.

Dental disease is extremely common in dogs and cats, and early signs are often overlooked. Watch for these symptoms:

Persistent bad breath

Excessive drooling

Red, swollen, or bleeding gums

Difficulty eating or loss of appetite

Dropping food while chewing

Visible yellow or brown tartar buildup

Addressing these signs early can prevent pain, infection, and costly veterinary procedures later.

We always reccomend an annual checkup with your veternarian to discuss dental health. 

At Tabby’s Total Pet Care, we treat every pet like our own. Our non-anesthetic dental cleanings are designed to be:

Safe - no anesthesia, no medications, no recovery time

Comfortable - calm handling in a familiar, low-stress environment

Effective - removes visible plaque and tartar buildup

Convenient - fast appointments with immediate results

Preventative - helps maintain long-term dental health

Our goal is simple: provide professional care that protects your pet’s health while giving you peace of mind.

A healthy mouth improves your pet’s comfort and quality of life, and we’re here to help every step of the way.