Author & Veterinary Reviewer
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine · Associate Veterinarian, Ambassador Dog & Cat Hospital · Los Angeles, CA
Verify independently: Hospital profile · Yelp
I have spent more than four decades in veterinary medicine, and I still start every exam room visit the same way I did in 1984 — by watching the animal before I ever touch it. That habit, more than any single credential, is what I bring to the nutrition guidance I write for BestDog.Food.
Background
I earned my veterinary degree in 1984 and began my career treating both small animals and farm animals in India. In 1988, I moved to the United States, where I completed my board examinations and a clinical residency at Iowa State University. That training marked the point where I narrowed my focus specifically to small-animal veterinary medicine — the field I have practiced in ever since.
Before settling in Los Angeles, I built my clinical foundation working in animal hospitals in New York and Chicago, treating a wide range of everyday and complex cases across every stage of a dog or cat’s life. That early exposure to high-volume, high-variety practice shaped how I evaluate a patient’s health today, including how diet, body condition, and life stage interact.
In 1994, I took over Ambassador Dog & Cat Hospital in Los Angeles. I later sold the practice to PetVet Care Centers (PVCC), and I chose to remain on staff as an associate veterinarian, because direct patient care — not administration — has always been the part of this profession I value most. I continue to see patients today, alongside my colleagues Dr. Angie Wong and Dr. Dohee Kim, and I stay current through regular continuing veterinary education.
Career Timeline
Graduated Veterinary School
Began practicing in India, treating both small animals and farm animals.
Relocated to the United States
Completed board examinations and a clinical residency at Iowa State University, then shifted focus to small-animal medicine.
Clinical Practice in New York & Chicago
Practiced small-animal veterinary medicine across multiple animal hospitals, building broad clinical experience.
Took Over Ambassador Dog & Cat Hospital
Assumed ownership of the Los Angeles practice, serving Downtown LA, Silver Lake, Koreatown, Filipinotown, and Central LA.
Associate Veterinarian, PetVet Care Centers Network
Continue practicing full-time at Ambassador after its sale to PVCC, working alongside Dr. Angie Wong and Dr. Dohee Kim.
What I Bring to BestDog.Food
Areas I write and speak with clinical confidence on
- General canine and feline health
- Preventive and routine veterinary care
- Life-stage care — puppies through senior dogs
- How diet, body condition, and everyday health interact in general practice
- Practical, real-world clinical judgment from 40+ years of exam-room experience
My editorial approach to specialist topics
- I am a general-practice veterinarian, not a board-certified specialist in nutrition, oncology, cardiology, or dermatology
- For highly specialized medical claims, I cross-reference board-certified specialists and current veterinary literature
- I update my guidance as veterinary nutrition science evolves
Articles Reviewed by Dr. Kumar
- 11 Best Dog Foods Without Fillers or Preservatives Reviewed Jul 2026
- Best Dog Food for Older Small Dogs With Few Teeth Reviewed Jul 2026
- Best Dog Food for Senior Dogs With Bad Teeth Reviewed Jul 2026
- Best Dog Food for Dogs With No Teeth Reviewed Jul 2026
- Dog Food Recommended by Vets Reviewed Jul 2026
This list reflects guides I’ve personally reviewed for clinical and safety accuracy. See the Editorial Standards section below for what that review does and doesn’t cover.
“Every dog is different. Good guidance — on food or anything else — starts with careful observation, not a one-size-fits-all rule.” — Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, DVM
Practice Information
Ambassador Dog & Cat Hospital
- Address
- 3684 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
- Phone
- (213) 384-1255
- Network
- Member, PetVet Care Centers (PVCC)
- Hours
- Monday – Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Sunday Closed · New patients welcome
- Appointments
- In-person and video appointments available
- Serving
- Downtown LA, Silver Lake, Koreatown, Filipinotown, Rampart, Central LA
Practicing Alongside
- Dr. Angie WongVeterinarian
- Dr. Dohee KimVeterinarian
I’ve been part of Ambassador continuously since taking over the practice in 1994 — through its growth, the transition to PetVet Care Centers, and every year since.
Verified Professional Presence
My professional identity as a practicing veterinarian is consistently documented across Ambassador Dog & Cat Hospital’s official records and multiple independent healthcare and local-business directories, confirming my practice at 3684 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles since 1994.
Patient Feedback Themes
Efficient Diagnosis
Reviewers consistently describe timely, thorough exams that identify the issue without unnecessary delay.
Upfront Cost Communication
Multiple accounts note that pricing is presented before treatment begins, so owners can make informed decisions.
Bedside Manner
Independent review platforms highlight empathy and clear communication with both pets and owners.
Editorial Standards
Every recommendation I contribute to BestDog.Food is grounded in clinical experience gained through direct patient care — not sponsored placements. Where a topic falls outside general small-animal practice and into a board-certified specialty, I say so plainly and defer to that specialty’s published guidance. I revisit and update my articles as new veterinary research becomes available.
My review covers the clinical and safety claims in each guide — for example, whether a feeding recommendation is appropriate for a given life stage or health condition. Ingredient-science and AAFCO-specific formulation details are additionally cross-checked by the BestDog.Food editorial team against current published veterinary nutrition literature, since that level of nutrient-formulation specificity sits with board-certified veterinary nutritionists rather than general practice.
I have no financial relationship with any brand featured on this site. I am not compensated per product, per mention, or per placement — my review role is entirely separate from the site’s Amazon affiliate program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Kumar paid by any dog food brand featured on BestDog.Food?
No. I have no financial relationship with any brand featured on this site — I’m not compensated per product, per mention, or per placement. My review role is separate from the site’s Amazon affiliate program.
How often is BestDog.Food content reviewed by Dr. Kumar?
Every guide I’m credited on is reviewed before publication for clinical and safety accuracy, and revisited whenever the article is substantively updated. The “Articles Reviewed” list on this page reflects my most recent pass on each guide.
What’s outside Dr. Kumar’s scope of review?
I’m a general small-animal practice veterinarian, not a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. I review clinical and safety claims; ingredient-science and AAFCO-specific formulation details are additionally cross-checked against current published veterinary nutrition literature by the editorial team.