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Preparing your Oriental Cat for a Cat Show.

When getting ready for a Cat Show not only do you need to have the correct equipment for the show but you also need to make sure your cat or kitten is prepared before the show. This article will hopefully aid novice cat show exhibitors to prepare for a show and in doing so have a fantastic introduction to showing their cat.

The correct Show Equipment when penning your cat is essential. Currently there are three registries that licence cat shows in the UK. Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), The International Cat Association (TICA) and Felis Britannica (FB).

With GCCF you will need the following Show Equipment.

• White Litter Tray and White Cat Litter.
• White Water Bowl
• White Food Bowl
• Cat Food
• White Blankets
• Cat Carrier (any colour).
• Inoculation Card
• A grooming glove is useful for any last minute preparation as are unscented baby wipes and cat litter shovel and empty plastic bags.

Show Equipment needed at a GCCF show is virtually the same as TICA and FB however all items must be white (except the food of course) with no identifiable markings as with GCCF all the cats are judged at their pens and so all the pens must look the same to ensure anonymity of the exhibits. There are various places to buy this equipment which costs in the region of £20. Remember that at GCCF no food or toys are allowed in the pens until all Open Classes are judged though you must of course leave water in the pens at all times. Cat Pens are provided by the Cat Club holding the show.

With TICA and FB you will need the following Show Equipment.

• Litter Tray and Cat Litter.
• Water Bowl
• Food Bowl
• Cat Food
• Blankets/Bed
• Cat Carrier
• Inoculation Card
• A grooming glove is useful for any last minute preparation as are unscented baby wipes and cat litter shovel and empty plastic bags.

All these items can be any shape, colour or size and you basically use whatever makes your cat happy by using items from home, there is no need to buy special equipment especially for the show though some people like to. Judging takes place away from the cats pen and in fact the judges do not even see the cats in their pens so this is why you do not have to protect your cats anonymity in their pen. Remember that all these items 'and your cat' need to be able to fit in the pen which may be a single (2" x 2"x 2") or double (4" wide x 2" x 2") depending on the size you have requested. You may also find it useful to fetch a familiar toy from home to help settle your cat in the pen. Cat Pens can be provided by the Cat Club holding the show or you can invest in your own pen if you wish, dimensions being 4'' wide x 2'' deep x 2'' high. Please check with the show manager to the suitability of your Cat Show Pen.

Grooming your Oriental Cat in preparation for a Cat Show.

When preparing your Oriental Cat for a Cat Show remember first and foremost that a Cat Show is in fact a beauty contest for cats. Care must be taken to present your cat in tip top condition which begins with feeding your cat on a nutritious balanced diet which will promote health and vitality in your cat. This believe it or not makes grooming and show preparation so much easier as your cat is already looking their best and hopefully is well muscled, not shedding excessive coat and already has a real shine to their coat.

• Clip ALL your cats claws and not just the front ones, see article on how to clip a cats claws.
• Clean your cats ears ensuring there is no ear wax visible, do not poke anything down your cat ears though.
• Ensure your cats eyes are clean and free from any 'sleepy dust'.
• Ensure your cats nose, mouth and chin are free from food debris.
• Check your cats bottom is also clean.
• Brush your cat with a grooming glove to remove any hair they are shedding, this also promotes a nice glossy sheen. Of course this is the favorite part of show preparation as far as your cat is concerned!
• The odd white hair which can appear on your cat which is more obvious in an Oriental Cat than a Siamese Cat is a no, no. They are usually found under the cats four 'arm pits', chest and neck area with occasional stray white hairs appearing on the body and back. Careful grooming can remove these offending hairs. Remember this useful phrase when preparing your cat. 'If you can use your finger and thumb to groom your cat then this is called grooming/show preparation. If you need to use scissors to prepare your cat then this is called cheating!'

As an Oriental Cat is a shorthair so grooming and show preparation is pretty easy and not very time consuming at all. All the more reason to make sure you do it! You should always remember a cat show is in fact a beauty contest so please remember to groom your cat!

Please note that the information above is published as a guide only and you should confirm the information is correct by consulting the current rules that apply for each of the three organisations mentioned above. GCCF, TICA and FB.