Vet Pete Wedderburn has the answers

When my dog whines because she wants to go for a walk, she makes a noise that sounds like my three-year-old child whining because he wants a biscuit. And when my cat yowls for food, the sound is similar in tone to my five-year-old boy saying, “Mum, when is dinner ready?” Does communication using sound, if not language, cross species barriers?

MF, BRIGHTON

Human verbal language may be a relatively recently evolved tool, but humans have used sound and body language to communicate with each other for millennia. Humans still use these methods, most obviously individuals (such as children) who have not yet mastered spoken language. Translating messages from animals is an interesting area that’s being actively researched: machine learning and artificial intelligence are enabling detailed analysis of animal sounds and body language to help us better understand what they are saying to us. See zoolingua.com for more.

My one-year-old maine coon started by sleeping at the end of my bed, but she now crawls under the duvet at the top of the bed, putting her head beside my head on the pillow when I go to sleep. I love this, but are there potential health issues?

JH, LEEDS

As long as she is healthy (e.g. no itchy skin, no bald areas, no cough or sneeze, no digestive upsets), and as long as you don’t suffer from allergies to cats, then the risk of health complications is minimal. If you have any health issues yourself (pregnancy, chemotherapy, anything affecting your immune system), you should discuss this with your doctor in detail. There are positive health benefits too, by the way: sleeping right beside a gently purring cat is bound to help you relax, reducing your mental stress and blood pressure.

CHRISTMAS-THEMED VIDEOS REACH THE PET WORLD

Animal charities are following the example of businesses such as John Lewis by creating engaging and inspiring Christmas videos. You can watch the new Cats Protection seasonal video, telling the story of Libby the miracle kitten, at cats.org.uk/christmas

RESCUE PET

Pretty Sabrina is a six-year-old 11.1hh Welsh pony who is looking for a new loving home as a companion. Visit redwings.org.uk/rehoming

To view outcomes of rescued pets, see petethevet.com/ rescues

Send queries to petsubjects@ telegraph.co.uk or tweet @PeteTheVet. All sick animals should be taken to a vet