Rebecca DavisFinding a trustworthy groomer can feel as nerve-wracking as dropping your child off at daycare. Our furry companions are family members, and they deserve gentle hands.
If you have an anxious rescue dog or a long-haired cat prone to matting, locking down the best pet grooming in Philadelphia makes all the difference.
To save you the trial and error, I have narrowed down the top local salons offering exceptional care and stress-free handling. Here’s a practical guide to the city’s standout groomers, complete with pricing and honest feedback.
How Much Does Pet Grooming Cost in Philadelphia?
Pet grooming in Philadelphia generally costs between $45 and $190+ for full grooming and $25 to $60+ for baths, depending on the animal’s size and breed.
| Service | Size | Price Range |
| Bath & Brush | Small/Medium | $25 – $50 |
| Bath & Brush | XL/XXL | Up to $75+ |
| Full Groom (Bath + Cut) | Small/Medium | $65 – $110 |
| Full Groom (Bath + Cut) | Large/XL | $170 – $210 |
| Nail Trim/Gland Expression | All Sizes | $10 – $25 |
| Cat Grooming (Full Session) | Cats | $70 – $100+ |
1. Central Bark Philadelphia-Center City
Website: https://www.centralbarkusa.com/philadelphia/
Address: 2501 Wharton St Suite F, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Contact: (267) 861-2275; [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Friday 6:45 AM – 6:30 PM; Saturday – Sunday 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM & 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Drop off/Pick up sleepover dogs only)
Leaving a nervous pup for a haircut often causes anxiety for the owner. Central Bark tackles this through an integrated grooming approach, incorporating enrichment activities and reward-based methods to keep dogs relaxed without using sedation.
I booked my energetic terrier here for a bath recently, and the certified staff handled his zooming energy beautifully.
Owners can choose from personalized service tiers, ranging from simple baths to comprehensive cuts with plaque prevention add-ons. The facility requires every visiting animal to pass a multi-step behavior assessment to ensure a secure environment.
However, you do have to plan ahead since their weekend operating hours are strictly limited to boarding pick-ups, meaning standard styling happens only on weekdays.
Apollo loves loves loves going to central bark. He comes home tired but happy! I love the very professional service and friendly handlers. I am always well informed about his day. I also enjoy the additional services available from grooming to boarding!!!
- Maria Benedetto | Google Review
The staff are all very friendly and caring about my dog. He is always excited to go to day care and comes home a well exercised and tired pup. I’ve done overnights and grooming as well- both good experiences.
- Stephanie Ottemiller | Google Review
2. Spot’s Spot Pet Grooming
Website: http://spotsspotandspa.com/
Address: 123 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Contact: (267) 687-7928
Hours: Monday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Large chains frequently turn away difficult animals, leaving families scrambling for alternatives. Spot’s Spot Pet Grooming steps in as the designated specialist for rejected or highly anxious pets, using a calm living room atmosphere rather than a cold clinical setup.
Philip, the owner with nearly two decades of industry experience, specifically designed the shop to serve as a welcoming neighborhood alternative.
The extensive service menu covers a wide spectrum of needs, ranging from feline lion cuts to creative pet-safe dyeing for dogs. They accommodate busy lives by working around your personal schedule rather than forcing you into rigid time slots.
Just make sure to keep your vet paperwork updated, because animals with missing vaccination records are strictly barred from receiving any treatments.
It was my first time getting my cat groomed and I was nervous because he’s a cat. And a little firey at times. Phil answered all my questions and even though I couldn’t go into the groomers to watch he did a great job. Not only with the cut itself but letting me know exactly what happened and how my cat did during the process. Would absolutely go again and recommend to anyone looking.
- Katie Koplitz | Google Review
10/10 Completely satisfied with my Moka’s grooming service. She looks beautiful. Love that as they said it “did their best”, they did exactly what was needed. Bath, haircut, and nail trimming. Other places complaining they couldn’t do the nail trimming because she (Moka) got difficult, hard to believe. Spot’s did an excellent job. Recommended 100%. Thank you.
- Jaasiel Jurado | Google Review
3. Sally’s Paw Spaw
Website: https://sallyspawspaw.com/
Address: 1939 Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Contact: (267) 455-0478
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Maintaining high-maintenance coats requires a specific skill set that not all stylists possess. Sally’s Paw Spaw focuses heavily on complex breeds, operating as dedicated Doodle and Poodle specialists right on East Passyunk Avenue.
I recently recommended this shop to a friend struggling with her dog’s matting, and she was thrilled with the efficient two-hour turnaround.
This location secures its excellent reputation by offering all-inclusive packages, meaning standard treatments automatically feature teeth brushing and ear cleaning at no extra cost. Clients enjoy a transparent pricing structure that establishes clear financial expectations before arrival.
Just be prepared to adhere to their strict timelines, as late pickups incur fees and weekend availability is quite limited. If you plan to relax at one of the top hotels with a pool after dropping off your pet, make sure you watch the clock closely to avoid those penalties.
We found Sally’s Paw after meeting some of their staff at a restaurant—everyone was so friendly and clearly enjoyed working together. Our previous groomer retired, so we gave Sally’s a try and it’s been fantastic. Benji is amazing with our pup, Lucy—so kind and gentle every time. Highly recommend Sally’s Paw: locally owned, super affordable, and well worth it.
- Mark Riggs | Google Review
Sally is extremely talented! My standard Goldendoodle was super matted (partially because our grooming appointments elsewhere kept getting cancelled on us the day of) and she was able to cut and style him while both removing the mats and not completely shaving him. She was super gentle and accommodating to my dog’s anxiety, you can tell she is super passionate about her work and all doggos. Her prices are fair and she always gives reasonable estimates. Sally’s Paw Spaw is simply amazing, hands/paws down
- Hannah Tecson | Google Review
4. The Salon At BarkPark!
Website: http://www.barkparkphilly.com/
Address: 1715 McKean St, Suite 001, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Contact: (215) 462-1585; [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Saturday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Finding a facility that prioritizes health emergencies gives tremendous peace of mind to protective owners. The Salon At BarkPark! staffs groomers who are specifically trained in pet CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and first aid, making animal safety their primary operational focus.
Every single visit kicks off with a personalized consultation to ensure the stylist completely understands your requested look.
Feline companions also receive dedicated booking times to guarantee a quiet environment away from barking dogs. They even offer a convenient transport service, which is incredibly helpful for locals currently busy touring wedding venues around the city.
Just keep in mind that they usually invoice at the end of the week, which may frustrate clients who prefer to settle balances immediately. There’s also a mandatory fee for any pickup occurring after seven in the evening.
Excellent service! I brought my two cat’s in for grooming + haircuts and had a fantastic experience. The scheduling was easy, staff was super friendly, and the cats look great! I will be returning & recommending – thanks again!
- Evan Celini | Google Review
Sam at BarkPark Salon is the absolute best! I have been to so many groomers in the city and there is no one I trust more than Sam and the BarkPark team! She is so easy to communicate with and always takes such great care of my pup.
- Alexis Iovino | Google Review
5. The Pet Snobs Boutique
Website: http://www.thepetsnobs.com/
Address: 606 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Contact: (215) 922-7662; [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Selecting the right cut for an older or hyperactive companion requires a gentle touch and immense patience. The Pet Snobs Boutique houses a highly skilled team featuring niche specialists, including an award-winning groomer recognized at Intergroom 2022.
They use all-natural grooming products for every session, avoiding extra charges for specialty shampoos to protect sensitive skin.
The shop accommodates cats beautifully, offering high-level feline styling like lion cuts using products balanced specifically for their pH levels. Owners with anxious dogs can book early crate-free appointments, allowing the animal to head home immediately after finishing.
However, new clients should note the strict cancellation policies requiring an upfront deposit. Additionally, they enforce heavy financial penalties for late pickups, charging a steep per-minute rate for cats left waiting.
The shop itself is adorable but what I came in for was nail trims for my two cats. It’s hard to find this service in the city, and especially on a consistent basis. I love that their cat nail trims are a walk-in service throughout the week!!
Their nails look great, and the staff there were all super friendly and efficient! (cat toes and hands below) So very appreciated!!
- Joylene Ceballos | Google Review
We followed Sam to Pet Snobs when she left her previous job. She’s always been so gentle and caring with our little senior shih tzu mix, we couldn’t imagine anyone else grooming her. Our dog recently started having more frequent seizures, and unfortunately had one mid-groom. Sam was so professional when it happened, and has adjusted how she grooms her to lessen the stress. Can’t recommend Sam enough!
- Naomi Takahashi | Google Review
