London: Britain's reputation as a nation of animal lovers has been rocked by a study showing at least ten million pets suffer mental or physical stress.
At least three million cats have never been vaccinated, two million dogs are left alone daily for longer than is recommended and 750,000 rabbits are fed too little hay or grass, the research indicates.
Shocked animal welfare campaigners are calling on owners to give their pets an urgent "health and welfare MOT" following the findings, based on interviews with more than 11,000 people.
A spokesman for the animal charity the PDSA said: "It is not intentional — we know that owners love their pets. But many misunderstand what their pets need."
