Q My eight-year-old daughter Maisie is keen to have her own pet. My husband and I work so we don’t think a dog or cat would be suitable. Maisie really wants a gerbil. Are they suitable as a child’s pet and are there any particular problems?

Sadie Lucas

A Yes, a gerbil would be suitable or, better still, two gerbils! Gerbils need the company of others; same-sex litter mates are best. They are relatively low maintenance, clean and generally healthy.

Gerbils are active in the evening, just when Emma is coming home from school, and can be fed a cereal-based diet available in pet shops. Log on to zooplus.co.uk. They like fresh fruit and vegetables but don’t overdo it as they hoard food and it can rot.

They are rodents who love to burrow and chew so you should provide a fruit tree branch and lots of shredded paper/wood shaving/sawdust bedding. They are not aggressive when handled gently and should be fun to have around for up to five years.

Q My flatmates and I want to get a cat. We’re students. We have access to a garden. We’re torn between a rescue moggy cat, a Siamese and a Burmese. Which is the best to keep and are the breeds more expensive or temperamental? We live on a very busy dual carriageway. Could that also pose a risk for a particular type of cat?

Jon

A To be honest, I don’t think a cat is the right pet for you. You’re students now, but cats can live up to 20 years, so what happens when you move on? Pedigree cats are more expensive, but their running costs are the same whatever they are.

Siamese and Burmese can be great characters but so can moggies and there are no temperament guarantees with any cat! Living next to a busy road is a major risk for any cat that’s allowed outdoors. If you can’t guarantee the cat’s safety, please don’t get one.

Q We got Dodger, a greyhound, from a rescue centre three months ago. When we go out we leave him in the kitchen with his bed, toys, water and a pig’s ear. We thought he was okay, but our neighbour has just told us that when we’re out he barks non-stop. Needless to say, it’s driving our neighbour up the wall. What can we do?

Adrienne Campbell, Denchworth

A Dodger is showing classic separation anxiety, being stressed when he’s left on his own.

This can be tricky to resolve, but you can try simple tricks like leaving a radio on when you go out or tape your own voice and leave the recording playing. There are also various anti-anxiety treatments. I like the dog appeasing pheromone plug-in device which dispenses calming doggy pheromones and will often reduce anxiety enough for dogs like Dodger to overcome their fear. You can get this at your vet and I am sure they will be happy to discuss the best form of treatment.

Q I inherited my mother’s parrot when she died. He’s about 10 years old. Recently, his plumage has gone very dull. He’s in good condition. He chats away and is acting normal, but his bright colours have faded. Is this a sign of ageing or is there something more serious going on?

Barbara Chalmers, Botley

A Parrots can live for up to 100 years so this parrot is really quite young. The colour of his plumage can be an indicator of good health but it can become dull when he moults, which is about once a year.

You say he eats well, but what is he eating? A lack of Vitamin A in the diet is a possible cause, and if his diet is mainly seeds I suggest you make sure he gets fresh fruit/veg especially cabbage, Brussel sprouts, carrots and sweet potato. If this doesn’t work, it would be worth getting him checked out.