With the plethora of pet foods available, how is a person to choose? You can start by checking out the label.

If the food meets the standards of the Association of American Feed Control Officials, that means it offers complete and balanced nutrition. Make sure the diet is right for your pet’s life stage – for example, growth foods for puppies and kittens, maintenance diets for adults, foods for pregnant or nursing animals and diets for seniors. And keep in mind there is no set definition for “organic,” while “natural” only implies that no artificial ingredients were added.

Diets that don’t agree with your pet can result in large stools, diarrhea or problems with skin, ears or joints. If you switch foods, do it gradually over the course of a week. Then give the new food at least a six- to eight-week trial.