This report from veterinary charity, the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), measures the wellbeing of the UK’s most popular household companion animals, and concludes that the health and welfare of these animals is not being properly met. Nearly 10 million companion animals show signs of distress from mental or physical stress.

According to the findings presented in this report, more than three million cats have not been vaccinated, two million dogs are left alone for longer than the recommended time period, and 750,000 rabbits are fed inadequate amounts of hay or grass. Because of this, more than five million cats, four million dogs, and more than 700,000 rabbits are thought to be suffering mental or physical distress.

Other findings that potentially indicate stress include data showing that about 2.4 million dogs are primarily fed scraps or leftovers instead of nutritionally complete dog foods. This can put dogs at substantial risk of obesity. In addition, about 1.9 million dogs are left alone for more than four hours a day, though veterinarians say that four hours is the maximum time period a dog should be left alone. Moreover, another 15% of dog owners think that eight hours alone is acceptable, and more than 165,000 dogs exhibit aggressive behavior toward people on a weekly basis.

In addition, more than half of cat owners say their companion animal is overweight, while 3.3 million cats are unvaccinated, and 1.3 million are reportedly aggressive to other companion animals on a weekly basis.

Rabbits are also at risk of stress. As animals who normally live in groups in the wild, two-thirds of companion rabbits live alone, subjecting them to boredom and stress. In addition, over 150,000 live in hutches that are too small.