As many as 10 per cent of dog owners are happy to leave their pet at home while they go off on holiday, according to a survey.

These owners relied on the fact that their dog would have enough food, water and shelter for a one-week period, according to the poll by travel agent www.sunshine.co.uk.

And 32 per cent were prepared to let their cat stay behind as long as there was enough food for it.

Of the 1,339 pet owners surveyed, 28 per cent said they had left a pet home alone for a week or longer.

Of these, 41 per cent said they thought it would do their animal no harm, while nine per cent said they did not want to inconvenience people by asking them to care for their pet.

The poll found that nearly everyone who owned fish was happy to leave them unattended for a week, while four in five were prepared to go away without arranging care for their small animals such as hamsters, rabbits or guinea pigs.

More than two in five were fine about leaving birds at home, while 24 per cent would be happy to leave a reptile at home.

Overall, 54 per cent of those polled said they had asked a friend or family member to look after their pet while they were away, while 11 per cent had used kennels, catteries or other services.

Sunshine.co.uk founder Chris Brown said: “We were very shocked to see how many people would be prepared to leave their pets at home whilst they were on holiday.

“Whether or not the animal has enough food, water and shelter to last the duration of their owners’ time away shouldn’t matter. The fact is pets need fresh food and water daily, as well as adequate shelter, so arrangements must be made in order for the animal to be cared for.”