Cats in Competitions

The first official cat show was held in London in 1871, presenting some 300 cats of primarily Persians, Siamese, and Birmans breeding. In 1946 the Cat Club of Paris, affiliated to FIFe, held the first cat show in France.

Showing a cat or cats in a competition involves preparing the cat through grooming (related mainly to the cat's health and daily care), and completing various administrative and veterinary formalities prior to the actual competition (such as registering and paying fees). When a cat first arrives at the show site, a veterinarian checks its identity and health against its tattoo and vaccination records, respectively. Then the veterinarian inspects the animal itself. Cats may not be shown or placed in a cage if they do not undergo this veterinary inspection.

The show organizers provide a cage for each participant. Owners often decorate these cages to enhance presentation.

The Ideal Cat

The cat must meet certain requirements. According to the Fédération Internationale Féline, these are the following:- The cat must exhibit the characteristics specific to its breed. Its health and well-being must be apparent.- The cat must be in excellent physical condition, with no anatomical or postural faults.- The cat must be able to be judged without showing anxiety or aggression. The judge must be able to evaluate the size and shape of its skeleton and feel its muscles. The basic characteristics must be apparent.- The cat must be well groomed and show no signs of dandruff, dirt, or parasites. Its feet must be spotless, and it is recommended that the claws be clipped.- For cats with white markings, there should be no trace of soiling. The grooming must highlight the features of the cat and its breed.- With regard to the head, the skull must be slightly rounded, to an extent depending on the breed. The jaws must be well set and the teeth sharp, with the upper and lower jaws aligned, equal in length, and free of deformity. The upper external surface of the lower incisors must touch the lower internal surface of the upper incisors. The canines should meet in a scissor bite. Ideally, all the teeth should be present, of normal size, set evenly in the mouth without overlapping, and properly aligned.

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