10 TIPS FOR RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP FROM THE VETERINARIANS OF VCA WEST LOS ANGELES

February is Responsible Pet Owners Month, and the veterinarians of VCA West Los Angeles share their Top 10 Tips for Responsible Pet Ownership

LOS ANGELES – Responsible Pet Owners Month is right around the corner in February, and several of VCA West Los Angeles’ veterinarians wanted to share their tips for responsible pet ownership. Whether you need to hone your parental instincts or not, these 10 tips will certainly make your canine or feline happier and healthier.

1. Animals are very good at coping and hiding their medical ailments.  Because they cannot speak, by the time they start showing symptoms, their ailment can be very advanced.  Therefore, if an owner is wondering if their pet should see a veterinarian for noted symptoms, odds are they should. –Dr. Johnny Chretin, DACVIM, Oncology
2. Notify your veterinarian if you notice any sudden change in your pet’s weight (gain or loss) as such changes can indicate the presence of a significant health problem. Early recognition is key to ensuring a good outcome. –Dr. David Bruyette, DACVIM
3. Many common foods that you eat may be harmful to your pet. Avoid feeding your pet foods such as grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, and foods with caffeine such as coffee or tea. –Dr. Karen Eiler, DACVIM
4. Keep your veterinarian's business card in your wallet; if you have to take your pet to an emergency clinic they will appreciate this information. –Dr. Teresa Reiser, DACVECC
5. It is important for an owner of a pet who has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition to obtain adequate information so that goals for their pet can be met.  Speak with their veterinarian, research online, and/or seek referral to a specialist if necessary. –Dr. Johnny Chretin, DACVIM
6. Many people don't realize that marijuana and tobacco are toxic to pets and they should not be exposed to the smoke or allowed to ingest the plant material. –Dr. Karen Eiler, DACVIM
7. Notify your veterinarian if you notice any sudden change in water drinking and/or urinary habits as these changes can be signs of serious medical conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes. –Dr. David Bruyette, DACVIM
8. Medications that are safe for people can be very harmful to your pet. Do not give your pet any medications without first consulting with a veterinarian. –Dr. Karen Eiler, DACVIM
9. Food does NOT equal love - feeding an unbalanced diet or feeding to excess can be bad for your pet's health. –Dr. Teresa Rieser, DACVECC
10.  Exercise is just as important for pets as it is humans.  It promotes mental and physical health and is a great time for bonding. –Dr. Johnny Chretin, DACVIM, Oncology

VCA West Los Angeles will open its newly-constructed animal hospital early this year. For the past 14 months, construction crews have been hard at work on VCA West L.A.’s new hospital, just one block south of its current location. The facility will be nearly 42,000 square feet, house state of the art treatment equipment, and provide parking for over 230 vehicles, all of which make it the largest small-animal hospital in the western United States.

VCA will host an open house on March 16 from  noon - 6 p.m., open to the public, at the new VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, located at 1900 South Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025.

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About VCA West Los Angeles

VCA has over 600 neighborhood animal hospitals in the U.S. and Canada and over 1,900 primary care veterinarians as well as 36 specialty hospitals with over 200 board certified specialists who provide services in oncology, dentistry, surgery, orthopedics, diagnostic imaging, stem cell therapy and more. VCA West Los Angeles serves as a general practice animal hospital for the West Los Angeles area, a specialty treatment facility, a referral hospital for veterinarians in Southern California, and as a teaching hospital to provide post-graduate education for veterinarians. For more information visit www.vcahospitals.com/west-los-angeles.