Frequently Asked Questions

Most pets are positioned on the practitioner’s lap, nestled on a comfortable blanket with plenty of support, so they feel secure and at ease. This gives us gentle, easy access to every area of the mouth. We introduce our tools and handling one step at a time — always at your pet’s pace, never rushed — so nothing feels sudden or unfamiliar. From there, we clean each tooth thoroughly, with a calm, compassionate touch throughout.

Our goal is simple: everyone leaves happy — your pet, you, and our team. We take care to keep your pet comfortable and relaxed before, during, and after the cleaning, using the gentlest handling suited to them the whole way through.

First time at Pearly Whites for Pets? No worries — your pet is in good hands. Here’s what to know before you come in:

  • Book the Standard Visit option
  • Please be on time for your appointment
  • If you can, arrive a few minutes early and give your dog a short walk beforehand
  • Keep your dog on leash at all times
  • Cats must arrive in an appropriate carrier
  • Bring nothing but a positive attitude and a happy smile

We prefer to work with your pet one-on-one — it’s easier for our four-legged clients to settle in without the distraction of a familiar face nearby.

At our King and Markham studios, you’re welcome to stay and relax in the lounge area while you wait, with free wifi and a calm atmosphere.

At our Barrie, Elora, and Trenton locations, there isn’t a space for you to wait on-site, so we ask that you plan ahead — grab a coffee, run an errand, or explore the area, and come back once your pet’s session is complete.

Wherever your visit takes place, please keep your phone nearby and reachable by call or text during the appointment. If we need to check in with you about your pet partway through, we want to be able to reach you right away.

Thanks so much for your understanding!

Authenticity and integrity are at the heart of everything we do — in our work, our standards, and the way we treat every pet and person who walks through the door. With Pearly Whites for Pets, you can always count on honesty, genuine care, and full transparency, every step of the way.

Yes! Most cats do wonderfully with our teeth cleaning process. Every visit starts with a one-on-one behavioural check-in, which helps us understand your cat’s temperament and comfort level, and confirm they’re a good candidate for a gentle, all-natural session.

A loose tooth is something we take seriously — it’s a sign your pet’s mouth needs a closer look from their veterinarian, who has the training to properly assess and address it. If we notice a loose tooth during a visit, we’ll always let you know and recommend following up with your vet.

If your pet already has a known loose tooth or two coming in, we can still proceed with the cleaning — we’ll just make sure you’re fully informed of the situation first and have your go-ahead before we continue.

Typically, a session takes about an hour or less. That said, every pet is different — we take the time each individual needs, so some visits run a little longer to make sure your pet stays comfortable and unhurried throughout.

Right now, Pearly Whites for Pets is proud to serve pet parents across the Greater Toronto Area with our Studio on King in Toronto and our new Markham studio, plus our original Barrie location and mobile visits in Elora and Trenton. We’re growing — check our Locations page to see what’s closest to you.

No — our cosmetic teeth cleaning is never a substitute for the care your veterinarian provides. Vets offer a full oral health exam and are equipped to handle things well outside our scope, like extractions or other medical procedures. We’re here to support your pet’s bright smile alongside their regular veterinary care, never in place of it.

We’ve got options to suit every pet’s needs and your budget:

  • Standard Visit — great for routine teeth cleanings
  • Standard Visit with Senior Practitioner — for pet parents who prefer our most experienced team members, or pets with more involved needs
  • Junior Standard Visit — a budget-friendly option where a newer practitioner, supervised by a senior team member, performs the cleaning
  • Puppy Visit — for pups under 16 months of age
  • 6-3-2-1 Month Visits — ideal for ongoing, regular care for pets who benefit from more frequent attention. To book one of these, your pet’s last visit with us needs to fall within that same window (for example, a 3-month visit requires your pet’s previous visit to have been within the last 3 months)

Not sure which fits? Just give us a call — we’re happy to help you figure out the right option for your pet.

Ha — no, but we’ll happily accept chocolate and expensive jewelry as an apology. 😉

All joking aside: no, you’re not liable. Handling your pet safely and appropriately is our responsibility, every single visit. Our practitioners are trained to read pet behaviour and work within each pet’s comfort level specifically to avoid situations like this — but if something ever does happen, that’s on us, not you.

Yes! Our 6-3-2-1 Month Visits are priced lower than a Standard Visit, since they’re designed for pets who are already keeping up with regular care. The more consistently you book, the more accessible ongoing maintenance becomes for your pet — and for your budget.

No — our pricing is based on visit frequency, not your pet’s size. See our pricing details for the full breakdown.

As for behaviour, size isn’t really the deciding factor either. A tiny dog can be just as wiggly as a giant one — it really comes down to each pet’s individual personality and comfort level, not their physical build.

We accept cash, cheque, debit, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and e-transfer — whatever’s easiest for you.

Typically, no — payment is due after your pet’s cleaning is complete. The one exception is our Studio on King location, where a $50 deposit is required to hold your spot. You’ll receive an invoice for that deposit a few days before your appointment, and it’s applied toward your final payment once the cleaning is done.

If we’re unable to proceed with the cleaning for behavioural reasons or something we notice with your pet, your deposit is fully refunded. Otherwise, the deposit is non-refundable.

No — if a cleaning can’t take place for any reason, there’s no charge to you.

We prefer to work with your pet one-on-one — it’s easier for them to settle in without a familiar face nearby as a distraction.

At our King and Markham studios, you’re welcome to relax in the lounge area with free wifi while you wait. At our Barrie, Elora, and Trenton locations, there isn’t a space to wait on-site, so we suggest planning ahead — grab a coffee, run an errand, or explore the area, and we’ll see you back at pickup.

Thanks so much for your understanding!

That’s a fair question to ask, and we’re glad you’re looking out for your pet. Cosmetic teeth cleaning is a newer, more specialized field, so it’s not something every vet has had close exposure to.

Here at Pearly Whites for Pets, our practitioners go through extensive training in safe, gentle handling and cleaning techniques, developed with input from professionals across animal health fields. We continue that education on an ongoing basis — safe handling, technique, and the tools we use are always evolving.

If you ever have questions or concerns, we genuinely welcome them — and we’re always happy to walk you through exactly what a session involves so you can feel confident either way.

A Junior Practitioner Visit is performed by one of our newer team members. While they’re newer to the field, they’re trained extensively at Pearly Whites for Pets and follow all of our established standards and principles from day one.

The main difference: a senior practitioner supervises their work throughout, and always does the final check and approval on every completed cleaning. That means your pet still gets excellent care, at a more affordable price — and it helps our talented new practitioners continue to grow.

A significant number of our clients are senior companions who benefit from a more delicate approach — and that’s exactly where our gentle, hands-on method shines. Because we clean without sedation, aging pets can stay relaxed and fully aware throughout, at whatever pace suits them best.

Whether you visit our flagship Toronto studio, our Markham studio, or one of our regional locations — Barrie, Elora, or Trenton — every space is designed to be calm, quiet, and free of loud distractions.

We keep sessions one-on-one, so your pet is our practitioner’s sole focus for the full visit. That individualized attention lets us move at a senior pet’s pace, respecting their comfort every step of the way.

We specialize in working with high-anxiety pets. Our practitioners use calming techniques and a slow-paced, gentle approach to help your pet feel secure throughout their visit — no sedation required.

We offer gentle, all-natural teeth cleaning across the GTA and beyond. Our flagship Studio on King brings a calm, spa-like experience to downtown Toronto, and our new Markham studio offers that same one-on-one experience further north. We also serve pet parents in Barrie, Elora, and Trenton through our regional locations — so wherever you’re coming from, there’s likely a Pearly Whites studio nearby.

Check our Locations page for hours, addresses, and booking at the studio closest to you.

Our Barrie studio, tucked into a cozy home-based setting on Eaglestone Lane, offers routine cosmetic cleaning in a warm, welcoming space — no sedation required.

Yes! We’re excited to now offer regular cosmetic teeth cleaning sessions right in Markham, with our brand-new standalone studio opening in August 2026 — bringing that same gentle, one-on-one approach to pet parents throughout the Markham–Richmond Hill area.

We offer gentle, all-natural cosmetic teeth cleaning visits right in the Trenton–Belleville area, giving your pet a bright, fresh smile without the need for sedation.

Absolutely! We bring our gentle, all-natural approach to the Elora–Fergus community through regular visit dates, giving local pet parents a quiet, one-on-one way to keep their dogs’ smiles bright and fresh.