Essential is our go-to grooming spot for our 1.5 yr old doodle. No matter the groomer, he always smells good and looks good. Today though, was so over the top on customer service. My fiance accidentally only booked a bath for our baby boy instead of a bath & haircut. Jessica (his groomer today) went above & beyond and offered to stay late (over an hour!) to fix the issue and give him a haircut for us. We really appreciate her dedication to the job and customer service. Thank you, Jessica for saving the day before our trip! read more

I have been taking my dogs there for over 10 years. They have no issue with my dogs, and tell me they did good. I have a dog who will be 16 next month, Cushings (so he pants all the time), anxiety in nail salons and at vet, and I usually remind them "off the table" trim. He has serious collapsed trachea. So, they take my dogs, and I see this dog frailing on the table with a MUZZLE on him and I thought it had to be another dog, not mine. But lo and behold it was my 16 year old dog. She said he tried to bite. My dog never bit anyone in his 16 years, and was just there 3 weeks ago and did fine, no muzzle. I'm very disappointed. If I thought my dog was stressed out before going to the salon, I won't be able to get him in there now. I'll have to find another place for him. OFF the table with a dog with trachea issues and anxiety please! Unreal. So upset.l read more

What a great experience. My very old lab needed a spa day and summer cut! Boy did they deliver!!!! Very highly recommended!!! I will be back! read more

Essential Grooming - Sophie girl - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

I bring my dog here every few weeks to get his nails trimmed. Since it's a quick nail trim no appointment is needed. I like that they offer this opportunity because of my schedule. My dog does not like anyone touching his feet or nails so I'm so glad they are able to trim his nails! He is a large Doberman and Essential Grooming does not charge extra for an extra person to help with the trim, unlike another grooming place in Santee... and the trim is very reasonable priced!! Love this place, will continue doing business here. read more

I bring my 2 rescue dogs for grooming and I wouldn't bring them anywhere else to be groomed. Essential Grooming is essential!

What an incredible experience! No appointment needed for a nail trim. You are in and out within minutes. And, everyone is so friendly, compassionate, and accommodating. Best place EVER. read more

Consistent and excellent every time my dog comes here! She happily jumps in and loves the staff!

I am a very happy customer for my two kids because the care and commitment and compassion shown to my littles is fantastic! Pat always knows just what im looking for and delivers a supreme cut each visit for Trey and Starr I drive from Northpark for her attention to my dogs. hope she has been training someone because if she retires i will be at a loss. I want to be on time to pick up my littles so they can carry on with their exceptional service to their other customers. the salon is intimate and crate space a premium. A late pick up fee is totally justified. Keep up the GREAT work you guys. read more

Essential Grooming - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

I made an appointment ( not necessary by the way) for a nail trim for my Dogue de Bordeaux. They were so quick she didn't have time to be nervous. Great. Staff. Amazing job. No wait. I will get her bathed next time. This is an animal loving place. read more

Essential Grooming - My Laguna - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

My first time in was for the $5 nail trim & file. My husky won't let me come near her nails so I wasn't sure how it would go but they got her in and out within 15 minutes! h Her nails are so much better and this was a great experience! read more

Essential Grooming - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

Caitlin did a great job on my very anxious English Setter, Maisy. She does not tolerate having her feet done and has actually had to be put under anesthesia to be clipped but Caitlyn figured out a technique to take care of her toenails and her grinch feet. She.looks so good. Thank you again Caitlyn! read more

Essential Grooming - Maisy looking pretty with her fresh haircut. - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

I wish I can rate this place 100 stars I have a poodle an I'm so picky about how I like his hair to be cut but Sarah did such an amazing job. It was my first time going here and I'll definitely be coming back ! read more

The team is always excellent with my pup. I don't need to ask for anyone specific because they are all great and my dog looks exactly the way I ask each time. read more

Essential Grooming - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

Years later they still outdo themselves. I love how they take care of my girl and give her the best grooming. read more

Essential Grooming - My Penny girl looks beautiful! - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

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I took my cat here to get brushed last week and she came back with fleas! My cat never sees other animals, and she doesn't play outside. After coming here, I noticed the fleas a day or two after. The pests bothered my poor cat so much, I saw horrible bites and so much flea poop. This is the worst I've ever seen fleas on her. I'm not sure if they properly clean their tools from pet to pet or if they check for pests before accepting clients. As for the brushing service, they barely brushed any hair out (I saw how much they brushed out), but I still paid for the service and tipped well. I am extremely upset about coming here and know I will not be returning. read more

Overall great experience for our little 11/2 yr old pups first time coming in. He's a barnacle pup who's had some prior trauma so I was a bit concerned for him. He's came out looking like a champ & a whole new dog too. Staff was very communicative and friendly! My lab wanted to stay there too when we dropped the pup off. read more

Essential Grooming is amazing! My husband and I brought our 3.5 month goldendoodle here for the first time today! It was his first haircut and his hair was so long. He has so much energy and is pretty crazy, but Jessica at Essential Grooming did such a good job with his haircut and bath! Great customer service as well! We will definitely be back and can't recommend this place enough!!! read more

I have a very neurotic, nervous dog. Eli cries and shakes when we get to the shop. But, Sarah is so good. She is so sweet and skilled. She calms him and takes her time with him. I appreciate her so much. Eli had been traumatized by a couple of other groomers . I am so happy to have found Sarah and Essential Grooming. . Thank you for taking care of my boy. read more

New groomer for my dogs. Did a great job and didn't take all day. My dogs are happy and so am I. Price is comparable.

I love this place! First time coming here my usual groomer was booked for the next month. Quickly answered my call and made an appointment for my 22 lb terrier. Ryan took her appointment and she came out so cute! read more

Essential Grooming - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

They do a great job with my Corgi's! I appreciate their dedication to detail and the care they take with my babies.

First time to a dog groomer and Zoey the little princess was apprehensive. She was, in fact trembling as we entered the establishment. It soon became evident that these groomers were warm, welcoming and professional, and they assured me that Zoey would have the positive experience that a princess would expect. Fast forward two hours, and they bring Zoey out like she's walking the red carpet...smiling, happy energy and sporting a cool bandana. Gone was the trembling little introvert. My little Zoey was transformed into a clean and silky new dog with clean ears, trimmed nails and super flea killer. And she couldn't have been happier! Great job, Essential Grooming! On the way out I mentioned that next time I would bring Wayne, my 90 lb British Labrador. Without flinching the groomer said, "great! I can handle him too!" I love this place! read more

Took my beloved 9yo Maltese here on September 13, 2023 instead of my regular groomer as I was short on time and couldn't use the services of my regular gal. My dog was excited to be in a car ride, had her head out the window on the ride there and was happy as a clam. 90 minutes later, they called me to let me know they found my dog DEAD in the drying crate. You read that right. My dog DIED there. So no, I wouldn't recommend this groomer. read more

Jessica and her team are awesome. I took three fur babies today! They love their groomers!

Thank you a million times for taking care of pickly pup, we are first time doggie owners so my pup doesn't have the best manners (yet) we really needed someone who was patient and takes their time and that's exactly what we got today. Thank you girls for everything! read more

Essential Grooming - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

I have finally found a great place for my Goldendoodle. Ryan at Essential Grooming was great, the cut was perfect and my baby seemed happy. It's so difficult to find a good groomer. You see horror story reviews of animals being hurt. I could not imagine someone wanting to hurt a defenseless pet!!! The last groomer I took my baby to, she seemed so scared to go back in. She was always excited to go to groomers, then all of a sudden it was like she was trying to tell me to not leave her there. I felt horrible!! Then I read reviews online about other dogs being scared to go to the same place. I immediately looked for another groomer and found Essential Grooming. It was a bit further for me, but as long as my baby is happy and the cut is what I asked for, I'm happy and I'll make the drive. The price was perfect and she smelled amazing. Take your baby someplace safe and where they do a great job for a great price!! read more

Essential Grooming - Before and After pic. - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

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Love Essential Grooming! Been here 2x before and love how their schedule seems to always work out and even on a short notice. My dog doesn't get scared to go, they are so good with dogs and have a happy environment and my dog sure picked up on that. For sure will be back as I just love their customer service and texting updates on the progress. read more

After years and years of going here, referring a few friends and being satisfied, I can say that today is not the day. At drop off, I explained my dog was temperamental and sensitive about his paws to who I assume was the owner (because he opened up the shop and I've seen him a few times). My dog also got switched to another groomer on staff, but I thought let's give it a try, it's a familiar place to him, maybe it will be okay. The owner was understanding at drop off.. Now for when the situation went sideways was when the front desk associate called me for pick up and said,"we did the best we could but he was very aggressive.." and I said I understood that and he can be that way. She reiterated and said he drew blood on the groomer and I said well at the point that he started biting, he should have been put in the crate so that it wouldn't escalate. She then defended the situation and said he's bitten his past groomer, but never drew blood in the past. I told her, well I don't know what she wants me to do, it's like she's blaming me for what has happened. I'm already agreeing the situation happened and the session should have ended for both the groomer & my dog.. but she proceeded to give me "tips" on how to control him, go to the vet for medication (etc etc) and how he's so aggressive. I already agreed he shouldn't be biting, she got aggressive and then ended with,"okay byeeeeeee!!!" And then she abruptly hung up. That's where I felt flabbergasted. You work in customer service, this will not be first or last time you will deal with adversity in your position. She could have given me the same explanation, but with a better non-rude, non-condescending tone. Who is this front desk chick? I read in a recent past review about the front desk.. must be the same person. I now see what they were saying. I sympathize with the owner for having to make up for his front desk staff's attitude problem. It's sad to have to end a relationship with a decent owner and decent groomers all due to their shotty first point of contact being unprofessional. Good luck. read more

My emma girl and I love this spot! Excellent service, very friendly staff who genuinely love animals (as they should in this profession!) My shepherd mix always walks outta here looking oh so beautiful and smelling fresh! She's soft for weeks after! And they give the cutest bandanas after! They're always accommodating even with last minute appointments (sometimes I call a day before but obviously scheduling a future appointment is best) This is our go to groomers! It's definitely a great, local spot! read more

Essential Grooming - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

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I was able to get a same day appointment for my Miniature Long Hair Dachshund. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. They took great care of my dog. My dog was happy, beautiful, and smelled so good! read more

Absolutely love this place! We moved to Santee years ago but kept taking our dog to the groomers in our old neighborhood. We had always been told that she was horrible to groom because she can get mean when she's scared. I was dreading having to explain our diva of a dog to another groomer. Our old groomer hated our dog and was always rude when we brought her in. The ladies here were SO nice through the entire process. They were very understanding of her temperament and never showed any reluctancy to having her. It was such a relief. read more

Essential grooming did a fabulous job with Rocket, my German Shepherd today! They were very informative with things and as soon as we walked in they were loving all over him . They were also very kind and loving to my cat Brownie and got her nails trimmed up. read more

Essential Grooming - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

I took both of my dogs here today and they did an amazing job! I've taken my golden doodle to a few different places and wasn't a fan of how she would turn out. Today when I went to go pick her and my golden retriever up I was amazed on how she looked! They did a fantastic job on both of my dogs but they really won me over with how the golden doodle turned out! The place was very clean and organized! Thank you Essential Grooming! read more

Essential Grooming - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

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They are very accommodating and so incredibly sweet to my fur babies. Five stars and a big thank you. Highly recommend!!

Essential Grooming is the best place i have ever brought my dog. He is 11 years old next month, and I really wanted a place where he would be comfortable and have someone take their time with him. He has aches and is the sweetest boy, I really wanted the best grooming trip for him. After bringing him to numerous places throughout his life, I have never been so astounded by the love and care that EVERYONE shows ALL of the dogs and cats that come through the door. They really do have passion for their work here and truly make even the bathing a safe and relaxing time for my little man. I wish I had started him here as a puppy for his first impression of being groomed. read more

We love our Essential Grooming team. So happy we found them and such an amazing concept to have a membership, my miniature golden doodle Hunter loves to go in for his bi-weekly bath! read more

Essential Grooming - Pet - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

Essential Grooming is the best groomer l've found for my husky! They always keep the dogs separated, which makes the experience stress-free. The grooming is always perfect, and my husky comes home looking beautiful and happy! Just look at that happy face! read more

Super convenient! My cats claws needed trimmed and they were able to fit in his trimming right away.

They are the best around! We won't go anywhere else our pups love the staff at essential they are the most caring trustworthy group my princess is sensitive and has vision issues she was a rescue and I don't ever have to worry when she is there it's her pamper time and she comes home Relaxed and happy and looking great they take amazing care of our dogs and are always trying to fit you in even last minute great prices very reasonable read more

Essential Grooming - Pet Groomers Near Me - Santee, California

I recently took my dog here for the first time and I couldn't be happier. He was shedding enough to stuff a mattress and no amount of brushing I did helped. With the Furminator treatment he is shedding about 80% less. Joshua also turned his talons of dewclaws into harmless little nubs and I am also thankful for that. He came out so soft, shiny and sleek. My dog was happy and loved everyone there and you could tell all the staff are excited to work with animals all day. read more