After attending my first show, I am now really interested in showing Percy.

I do have a few questions though, if anyone would be willing to help, and I would greatly appreciate it.

1. Alot of the exhibitors had soft, collapsable display cages instead of the typical crate. I know shows provide the crate type and they had alot of the them there on a dolly, but are you better off getting your own? I read online that alot of people do because they are afraid to put their cats in a cage not knowing what was in it prior.

2. If you do the soft sided "cage" do you also have to do curtains? Some had them and some didn't. I have been looking online at them and they are so expensive premade and some are so gaudy.

3. Can you show a Persian with any type of clipping done to the coat? I haven't touched Percy's coat in any way, but I was wondering if you can do a sanitary clip? I'm not too worried about his bum, I can keep that clean, but he pees on himself.

4. Do any of ya'll use bibs on your show cats? The Persians I saw were wearing coffee filters but I did see online that they make bibs for the same purpose.

5. How in the world do you keep the eye area clean all day at a show? I can clean his 20 times a day and while it removes the staining a little, it just sort of dries still looking icky. I asked a breeder there what she does to keep her snow white Persian's eye area clean and she said she is just lucky. I can't believe that one.

I'm hoping to do a show as soon as Percy's registration comes back. I can't believe how long it takes!!

I would really love to discuss showing with anyone that doesn't mind my dumb questions. I appreciate all help!!

Hiya,

I think I can answer some of your questions, and I'm sure others with more experience showing under their belts will chime in too.

Your first question, as far as show cages. I have my own collapsible show cage that I take to shows with me. I started out using the metal show cages provided by the cat clubs at first though. Just to make sure it was something i was going to keep doing. Because depending on the size of the show cage, print used, and add on's they can be pricey. The number one show cage maker I know if is Sturiproducts. You see their pop-up cages at most cat shows. Here is their website http://www.sturdiproducts.com/client/default.aspx

The point you mentioned about the metal cages at the cat shows is a good one. Its another reason to have your own cage if you show. You've no idea whose cat was last in the cage. What germs are in there or if it was a male that sprayed everything for example. Sometimes the cages don't get cleaned between one show and the next, so you never know. I know that many breeders who use the provided club cages often bring their own cleaning supplies (paper toweling and disinfectant) in order to clean the cage themselves before they put their cats in. But it's really up to the person showing.

Your second question, If you use a pop-up cage such as a sturicage product, they are often already colored or patterned. So they don't require cage curtains, and often times if you add them they will slide off anyhow because most pop-up cages are rounded and curved. You really don't need show curtains for the cage itself in that sense. But you will probably want a table skirt that goes below the cage. Also one wide enough to cover the extra space if you opt for a grooming space to comb up your kitty. The table skirt is good because it gives traction on the table so your popup cage doesn’t fall off, or move around. (it happens). Also, its a way to hide your luggage, grooming bags etc that are likely hidden under your benching table. Its a way of making things look nicer. Sometimes you will also find that people will put a layer of plastic sheeting down on top of their table skirt, before the cage goes down. In case of spills, and accidents and grooming product spraying. it keeps your bottom table skirt clean and dry.

On the other hand if you go with the metal club cage, you will need cage curtains, the bottom table skirt, etc. It offers privacy from the other cats to your kitty, keeps them from getting sprayed if their next to a male who sprays, and gives them some space from spectators. It also allows you to individualize your benching area a little. You don't have to buy them pre-made. You can make your own really easy, and even without sewing. That way you can use any material you'd like, any decorations, or ribbon or lace. Feather boas, pretty much anything you can imagine!

On the coat trimming question...well I guess it depends on how much of a sanitary clip Percy has. Just warning you, judges look back there. And more so if it's a male because they want to be sure that both * are descended in the cat. So they will be paying very close attention. May even reach back there and give a feel! Might want to go with as little trimming as possible because they might notice, and coat condition is a factor in the overall scoring of the cat. If his bum is clean and he's nice and fuzzy back there I'm sure he'll be ok.

I do use bibs sometimes. I started out with coffee filters just for a quick fix, and I have a wad of them in my travel bag in case of emergency (You just never know what will happen!) But I have also made lasting bib collars from wider rolls of lace. The type that have thin metal wiring inside the lace ribbon so it stands up like a well starched shirt. I use velco clasps on them to make them kitty collars, and that is generally what I use now if I have a kitty that messes up his ruff. If your boy doesn’t groom his ruff, or mess himself with water or food he does not have to wear one.

The cleaning eye thing is more tricky. I think every breeder, has a different way to deal with it. But it pays if you start weeks before the actual show and constantly maintain that area. Or at least for me. I start out a week or so before, and not only do I clean the eye area several times a day, but then I pack around the eye area with a coating of cornstarch on cotton pads. You want to do this when the eye area is mostly dry, otherwise the cornstarch might start to cake. If it does a little bit that’s ok. You can use a very small comb, like a flea comb to comb it out as you groom the face. But having a drying agent like cornstarch really helps to keep the eye area dry and clean. Sometimes I pack the fur even lower into the cheek area if the kitty has very weepy eyes. With that I constantly dab at the corners of the eye and near the nose to keep the eyes dry when I'm at the show. I also take a travel sized container of cornstarch with me too in case I need to re-apply. I probably go through at least 50 of those little cotton pads in a show day, so I pack lotsssss.

Hope this helps you out!

I'll throw my two cents in here.
1. I use the Sturdicages (the collapsable crates you spoke of). I started using the metal ones with cage curtains, but I am not a frilly type person so went with the Sturdi. I also would rather my cat be the only one in the cage - if we could provide the judging cage in the ring I would do that to!!! One suggestion though if you decide on a soft crate, get a lighter colored one. I made the mistake of getting the evergreen and it is dark so the spectators have a difficult time seeing the cat.I usually keep the door open unless I have to leave the cage for some reason. I also liken b the mesh door instead of the plastic - some show halls are hot and since the cat will be in full coat you want as much air circulation as possible.
2. Some people use curtains even for the soft ones. It isn't a bad idea to cover the sides and back so your cat can't see the other cats (especially whole males).
3. I wouldn't do a snaitary clip on a show Persian. There is some clipping or plucking done, but to the face to round it out more.
4. Yes, I sometimes use bibs - it depends on the cat. I keep them and a stack of coffee filters in my grooming bag. One tip on the filters given me by a well known golden breeder: tear the filters to make the hole, don't cut them. It will have softer edges and be less likely to hurt the coat if torn.
5. As for the eyes - you simply clean them a million times if that is what is needed to keep them clean. I am lucky in that one of my boys that I show hardly ever tears. One of my girls is awful! I use Eye Envy solution and the powder for my silver girl who tears. Clean the eye andthen pack the area with the powder using a makeup brush.
The registration should be coming soon. Since the CFA recently moved to another state, it slowed things down considerably, but I have heard that it is improving.

Thanks for answering my questions! I really do want to show the little man and being someone with OCD, I want everything to be in order beforehand.

I really wish I knew how Percy is getting poo on his head, top of his back, etc. I don't even know if a sanitary clip would help because who knows what he does in the pan! Mostly I was thinking of trimming around his penis area because he is always peeing on himself. What is it with boys? My male dog pees all over his own feet!

The show Persians were so pretty and then I came home and looked at Percy and he was just a mess, even though he had a bath two days prior! I think I am getting the eyes figured out, I am using warm salt water and it seems to help. He is just such a little piggy!! But he is so full of personality I think he could really put on the charm along with his beauty. I just really wonder how well he will sit in that cage all day. We need to practice. I can just picture him unzipping it and sneaking out. He is such a wild man!