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A pet owner was left gobsmacked after discovering the 'puppy' she'd bought for £140 was in fact a fox.

The woman, identified only as Ms Wang, paid for what she believed was a Japanese Spitz but became suspicious when the creature stopped eating dog food at three months old.

According to Chinese media, Ms Wang also noticed the 'puppy' never barked and its coat became thicker whilst its tail grew longer than a typical dog's.

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Her suspicions were eventually confirmed when a worker from a local zoo identified the pet as a domesticated fox.

Ms Wang, from Jinzhong in China's Shanxi province, told Shanxi Network Television she purchased the 'puppy' from a pet shop in July 2018.

She explained: "The fur got thicker when it reached three months old. Its face became pointy and its tail grew longer than that of a normal dog."

Before discovering the truth, Ms Wang said fellow park users where she exercised her pet told her the animal was a fox.

She added: "Other pet dogs seemed to be scared by my pet so I walked it with a leash."

Ms Wang told Chinese media she provided the 'pooch' with fruit, chicken breasts and dog food, though the pet rejected the latter once it turned three months old.

Sun Letian, an animal epidemic prevention specialist at Taiyuan Zoo, verified Ms Wang's pet was indeed a fox after she sought professional advice.

He said: "Based on the size, it is a domesticated fox. It carries a smell in their body and the smell can get stronger as it grows older."

Currently, the white-furred fox measures 30cm (12in) in length and is anticipated to grow larger.

Ms Wang decided to hand over her pet to the zoo for a more appropriate diet and a "better living environment".

The fox will undergo a month-long quarantine before being moved to an enclosure, pending approval.

"If you miss it, come by and have a visit," Mr Sun advised Ms Wang.