Pro Plan Veterinary Diets CC Cardio Care Dry review

Ingredients, as declared: Rice, Dried chicken protein, Corn, Barley, Corn protein meal, Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil (5%), Dried beet pulp, Dried salmon protein, Cellulose, Fish oil, Minerals, Pork fat, Digest

Rice opens the list, with dried chicken protein behind it, then corn, barley and corn protein meal. The entry the recipe takes its character from comes next: medium chain triglyceride oil, declared at 5%. MCTs are fats the body absorbs and puts to work more directly than ordinary fats, and the printed percentage makes this the recipe's signature inclusion rather than a trace one.

The animal side of the label arrives dried, not fresh, with chicken protein near the top and salmon protein further down. Fish oil and pork fat sit behind them, and a digest coating keeps the food appealing to a dog whose appetite may need the help. Between them that puts chicken, fish and pork all in the recipe, worth knowing if your dog's plan restricts any of those.

Dried beet pulp and cellulose carry the fibre, and crude fibre converts to 4.9% of dry matter. Protein works out at 28.8% of dry matter and fat at 16.3%, with energy at 369 kcal per 100g. Those are the numbers as the label declares them; what they should look like for a dog with a heart condition is a judgement for the vet who has seen yours.

The added vitamin and mineral panel is printed in full, vitamins A, D3 and E alongside iron, iodine, copper, manganese, zinc and selenium, each with its dose beside it.

It comes in a 3kg bag, at £5.69 a kilo. The label's feeding guide runs from 70 grams a day for a 2.5kg dog up to 650 grams for a 70kg dog, with 230 grams listed at 15kg. On a diet like this the portion is normally settled with your vet rather than read straight off the bag.