Most kittens and cats respond aggressively because they are frightened. It might help to allow your kitten hiding places when people come to visit and use food treats when approaching him. If he is still young, he may learn to associate visitors with good things and he may change his behavior.

My concern is something is medically wrong. Although your cat seemed to begin to meow when your pregnancy was new, it is also possible that a 10-year-old cat is vocalizing for a medical reason. The first step should be a good physical examination and perhaps blood work to rule out a metabolic reason for this change in behavior.

Research into senile changes in cats have revealed that yes, cats do suffer from cognitive changes as they age. In most situations, these changes were not seen until the cats were quite elderly, 17 years of age or older. The most common signs were changes in social interactions, perhaps loss of litter training, vocalization and wandering/restlessness. Medical problems can also cause these types of changes so good medical care and yearly check up visits are a must for an older cat.

Research on cat grooming behavior has revealed that cats generally groom one another around the face and neck. Your kitten may only be mimicking this behavior. It might help to increase playtime and activity before bed and see if that helps. In other cases, the cat might be attracted to something on your lips or breath. If she will not stop it may be prudent to keep her out of the bedroom at night.

Some cats and kittens seem to be fascinated with water. They like to drink it while it is running out of the faucet and some like to actually play in the water. Perhaps it is the movement or the fact that it is fresh and cold. Another cat mystery I guess.

Senior cats do have different needs than their younger counterparts. At 15, a cat often does better on a diet especially formulated for the older cat or any medical problems they may have. Any change should be made in consultation with your veterinarian and done slowly over a seven to ten day period.

As a cat ages they can experience medical and cognitive changes that might be seen as changes in behavior. An older cat may vocalize because they are in pain, confused or have hypertension. The first step is a good physical examination with some blood work to rule out a medical problem. If the vocalizing persists, a visit to a veterinary behaviorist may help.

In most cases cats do not need to be bathed. In some situations a cat may get very dirty or have a skin condition or parasites that require bathing. If bathing is necessary, always use a soap that is formulated and safe for a cat. These can usually be purchased at the veterinary hospital or pet store.

A cat may periodically lose whiskers, but if they are falling out frequently it may indicate a skin condition. A veterinary visit should be able to determine if it is normal whisker loss or a problem.