Your Kitten: 16 Weeks Old
Mental and Physical Development
Can I Feed My Kitten Table Scraps?
You may be tempted to feed your kitten table scraps as an addition to his diet, or just as a small treat. However, young kittens can be particularly susceptible to digestive upset if they are suddenly introduced to new foods, including table scraps. Food from the dinner table may also contain extra ingredients -- such as spices, sauces and oils -- that could throw off the balance of a kitten's delicate digestion system.
If you want to give your kitten some variety in his diet or an occasional extra special treat, stick to plain meats, like chicken and tuna, or treats that have been created just for kittens.
Teething and Chewing Tendencies
At approximately 16 weeks of age, kittens lose their baby teeth, and their permanent teeth begin to "erupt" from the gums. The permanent incisors usually come in first, followed by the canine, molar and premolar teeth. This teething condition can last for several months - during which time pet owners may notice that their kitten is chewing on hard surfaces or toys.
You can help your kitten during this time by providing him with plenty of chew toys and crunchy kitty treats. Kittens should not have any difficulty eating while they are teething, but in some cases, improper tooth growth can cause extreme pain. If you notice that your kitten is having trouble eating, or is refusing to eat, immediately take him to a veterinarian.
Health and Veterinary Care: Final Combination Shot and Second Feline Leukemia Shot
At 16 weeks of age, your kitten is now old enough to have her final vaccinations. Just like she did at the first two veterinary visits, she will receive another combination shot, containing feline panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus (rhinotracheitis), and feline calicivirus. These three vaccines make up the core shots that all kittens need.
In addition to the core vaccines, any kitten that will eventually become an indoor/outdoor cat also needs to be vaccinated against feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Protection against this disease requires two vaccines at three to four weeks apart. Ideally, she had her first FeLV shot at 12 weeks, and now she can have her final one.
Depending on your state's regulations, your kitten may have been eligible for a rabies vaccination at 12 weeks of age. If not, she is probably due at this time.
Training: Spraying
Spraying -- spraying urine in certain areas or on certain surfaces -- is actually a normal behavior for kittens, because it is one way that they mark their territory. Unfortunately, it is extremely unpleasant for pet owners.
You can identify spraying behavior by the telltale sign of urine dripping down from a vertical surface. If you witness your kitten in the act, he will likely back up to a wall, wiggle his tail, and then spray the urine backward.
If your kitten begins spraying, get him or her sterilized (spayed or neutered) immediately, because the sexual hormones may be contributing to the desire to mark. If the behavior continues, there are a few things you can do to decrease the urge:
- Make sure your kitten has adequate scratching posts in multiple rooms so that he can mark with his paws instead of with his urine (kittens have scent glands in their paws).
- Block visual access to neighborhood cats by covering windows with butcher paper.
- Try spraying store-bought pheromone spray on surfaces that your kitten prefers to mark. Pheromone spray can trick a kitten into thinking he has already marked that location.
- Make sure litter box hygiene is impeccable.
- If all else fails, schedule a behavioral consultation with your veterinarian.
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