How to Prepare a Cat For a Show
What You Should do in Advance to Get Your Cat Ready For Showing
May 18, 2009
Showing a cat or kitten, whether it is a pedigree cat or a household pet, is not difficult. But there are a number of things that need to be done, and it can all seem very daunting for the beginner. Here are some hints and tips on how to prepare.
Should You Show Your Cat?
Some cats love cat shows. This is particularly true of laid-back breeds like the Persian and Ragdoll, or friendly extraverts like the Maine Coon, Devon Rex, and some moggies or household pets. But the cat needs to be happy in new situations, be willing to be handled by new people, and not object to being in a pen all day. If your cat would not like this, it might be better not to show it in the first place.
Getting the Cat Show Schedule Well in Advance
Schedules for cat shows are published a few months before the shows, and the owner needs to obtain the schedule and read it carefully. It may seem a little daunting, but it should provide the answer to all the owner’s questions. Make sure you know what classes your cat is eligible for, and then decide which of them to enter.
Filling in the Entry Form
The owner needs to fill in the entry form carefully, taking the name and all the details from the cat’s pedigree certificate and/or ownership transfer form. She should make sure she has the cat’s name exactly right, and also its breed number. Mistakes can usually be rectified afterwards, but it is much easier if you get everything right first time around.
For a household pet there is less to do, but again, the owner should fill in the form carefully.
Things to do in Advance of the Show
The owner should make sure the cat’s vaccinations will be up to date on show day; this is very important or the cat will be disqualified. The cat should be wormed and de-flead well in advance. For fleas, spot-on preparations like Frontline or Advantage are best, as they will last for several weeks. However, do not use them within a few days of the show, as they could affect the condition of your cat’s coat. There are now spot-on preparations for worms as well, and these are very simple to use.
Should You Bath Your Cat?
Most seasoned cat showers will tell everyone that bathing the cat is mandatory. However, some cats will not tolerate being bathed, and in this case there are alternatives. The owner can use waterless foam shampoo, which simply needs to be towel dried, and/or cat wipes which can be obtained from good pet stores. A combination of these over several days will usually produce results as good as bathing the cat.
The Week Before the Show
The owner will need to clip the cat’s front claws, to ensure it cannot scratch the judges. You should only take off the very tip of the claws, and if you haven’t done it before, it is best to ask a vet or experienced owner to show you how. The cat will need to be groomed thoroughly; how much grooming is required will depend upon the breed.
The Day Before the Show
Cats which are allowed out should be kept in, so that last minute preparations can take place. However, at this point there should be very little to do beyond last minute grooming, perhaps using dry shampoo if necessary, a thorough check of eyes and ears…and an early night for the owner. Make sure everything is packed for the show, including the mandatory white blanket and litter tray, food for the cat, and its vaccination certificate
The following day both the owner and cat are likely to be up early, but if the owner has planned well in advance there should be no rush, and the day will be free of stress for everyone. And then…good luck with the showing.
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