A Beginners Guide To Showing Your Cat

Before the show you will need to fill in the entry form with your cats details and choose the classes you want to compete in, i.e. adult, kitten, neutered etc. The association or club running the show will be able to help you if you are new.  We often help the people who own our cats with their first shows too.  New exhibitors can hire the cages your cat or kitten will be in for the show.  

Once you have entered you just need to gather together the things you need, prepare your ca and turn up on show day.

2006 CCCofA National Show Sydney, Cyclard Jack Flash   2019 Local Show Perth,  Cuddleton Baron Herbert

I take the following Cat brushes Claw clippers Small water & food dishes.  They can be ones that clip on the cage or just reular small ones.  Our cats dont eat and only take a few sips of water during the shows.  Yours may be the same but best to take them first time. A small plastic container for your cat to use as a litter tray.  A large low sided lunchbox from a $2 shop is fine.  They also often have small trays.  Most cats won't use them.  Some cats always use them.   Some dry food and a bottle of water from home.  I like to take home water as it wont upset any tummies if the hall water is not great. A few toys Cage curtains.  You can find out what size and how to make them from your club or borrow a set from your cats breeder.   Cage sides.  Make sure that is you hire a cage it will have sides as well.  This is protection for your cat from the cats either side and behind it.  Thick builders plastic from Bunnings and fold back clips will do or you can use corflute cut to size with taped hinges.  You can also buy them from people who make cat curtains. Something soft for the bottom of the cage.  Towels or small blankets Baby wipes for cleanups and nappy disposal bags for poopy trays. Freezer brick if it is a warm day.  Hot water bottle if it is a cold day.  You can put them in the cage if you need to. When you have shown a few times you can purchase your own show cages and curtians and take them to the show to use.   You will also need a sturdy cat carrier to transport your cat or kitten to and from the show.   If you do show a lot and a few exhibits a trolley is a great idea too.

When you arrive you may have to have you cat checked over by the vet. They will okay it to be shown.  Then you go to your assigned cage, put your curtains in and then your cat.

When the judging begins you just sit back and watch it all going on. You can order a catalogue when you register for the show.  These are good to see whose cat is whose and it will give you an idea of how the classes work.

The cats are usually grouped into two or three groups ie, long hair, shorthair etc and they compete against each other to be the best in that group. They also compete against the same breed and then against the class of cat i.e. adult, kitten, male, female.

They get to the end of the judging, announce the winners and your done. It can take a while so you may like to take a book and some snacks.  The shows have a canteen where you can buy hot & cold drinks, cakes etc and you will find that, as you meet new people, you will spend a lot of time talking to the other people at the show.

A good way to find out what goes on is to visit a show as the "general public".  For a dollar or two you can view all of the cats and get a feel for what it is like to show your kitty.

Remember, showing is fun, just like owning cats!

Click here to visit the Cats United WA website and find out more about showing in WA